Keeping an eye on the 49ers’ NFC West rivals, starting with the 2024 division champs, the Los Angeles Rams
Throughout the week, we’ll track how the rest of the NFC West fared in the NFL Draft and see if they’ve taken steps to separate themselves or keep pace with the San Francisco 49ers.
We’ll start with the 2024 NFC West champions, the Los Angeles Rams. In his first season without Aaron Donald, Sean McVay won the division despite being outscored by 19 points. However, a 4-2 divisional record paired with going 4-1 down the stretch helped the Rams to ten wins.
The Rams kept Matthew Stafford this offseason and upgraded from Cooper Kupp to Davante Adams. They didn’t do much defensively besides adding nose tackle Poona Ford.
I think highly of Les Snead. He traded out of the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft to position himself to make a move at the 2025 trade deadline and, if not, reassess his team next offseason. I also believe that the Rams overachieved last season; they knew it and weren’t going to reach in this year’s first round.
Here’s a look at the six selections the Rams made in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Round 2, No. 46: Terrance Ferguson, TE, Oregon
Ferguson was ranked 84th on the NFL mock draft database. The Rams were without Tyler Higbee until Week 16 last year. Higbee’s contract voids after 2025 and is 32. In 2024, the Rams had the fewest receiving yards in the NFL from their tight ends. So, in McVay’s eyes, Ferguson probably wasn’t viewed as a reach.
Fergusons is 6’5 3/8” and has great size. His 10-yard split, 40-yard dash, and broad jump were all in the 83rd percentile or better. Fergusons is a four-year senior who was reliable at Oregon thanks to his loose athleticism and superb coordination. In McVay’s offense, he’ll be a problem.
Round 3, No. 90: Josaiah Stewart, LB, Michigan
When attempting to decipher which edge rusher John Lynch was talking about when he brought up “setting a strong edge” at the position pre-draft, Stewart was one of the few prospects that came to mind.
He was never a target in the first round, but snagging him at 90th overall should pay dividends to a defensive line group with Jared Verse and Byron Young rushing from the outside.
Stewart was ranked 75th overall in the mock draft database. He’s undersized at 6’1”, 249 pounds, with arm length in the fifth percentile. However, he’s a good football player and will find a role in the NFL.
Round 4, No. 117: Jarquez Hunter, RB, Auburn
Round 5, No. 148: Ty Hamilton, DT, Ohio State
Round 7, No. 242 Konata Mumpfield, WR, Pittsburgh
I didn’t watch any of these three players. Hunter ranked 176th overall on the consensus board and was projected to go in the sixth round. Hamilton was 144th in the 4th, while Mumpfield was projected to go undrafted.
Round 5, No. 172: Chris Paul Jr., LB, Ole Miss
Paul was projected to be drafted in the fourth round and ranked 114th overall. I did not share the same sentiment as others, and I am not surprised he lasted into the fifth round.
Paul and Nick Martin have similar frames, but Martin plays closer to a 240-pounder when it comes to taking on blocks, whereas Martin’s recklessness shines through in a positive light in that sense.
Paul was a guy who “just ran around” and benefitted from a strong defensive line. The Rams have gotten better up front, but I still wouldn’t call them a “stout” unit, making Paul’s job more difficult.