When it comes down to what the Los Angeles Rams need to do in the 2025 NFL Draft, there may need to be a distinction over what the Rams' strategy entails. While we all have our own opinions as to which players or positions should be addressed in this year's draft, we need to clarify what we mean by 'need.' Do those preferences fall into a category of need, choice, or strategic? I suppose distinguishing among the various categories is the best place to start.
Need is a term that has become a default term that refers to all positions we expect an NFL team to address in a three-day draft event. Consider it a checklist of positions that you can reasonably expect the team to address at some point in time throughout the draft. Identifying draft needs in this way helps to steer both fans and draft analysts alike towards the most likely positions to be addressed in the draft.
Choice is a term that is seldom used to refer an NFL team's draft, but it's the priority or taste of a team to stock up on rather than a glaring roster need or lack of true starter at a critical position. But does an investment in the backup quarterback role to fill a Matthew Stafford successor role need to be fulfilled over depth at the wide receiver position? That can be debatable. So there is an element of choice or preference in that distinction.
Strategic is the prioritization of a position that may now be abundant in quality or quantity in the current draft, but may not be a particularly thin group on the current roster. There is also the fact that every NFL GM must have expiration dates of contracts of rostered players in their peripheral vision.
Okay. That sets the stage for how the conversations between ESPN NFL Analyst Mina Kimes and former PFF NFL analyst Sam Monson will dip and weave throughout their draft analysis of every NFL team. It's a rather lengthy podcast, but this one is worth the investment. Kimes and Monson are solid, no-nonsense analysts who are less about sharing anonymous-sourced hot takes about prospects and more about giving their fair takes on each NFL team.
If you want to fast forward to the Rams draft section, you should fast forward to the 20:28 time hack. So, while you focus on the Rams segment, I'll meet you on the other side of the embedded video.
Perhaps one of the earliest takeaways from their analysis is the fact that they view the Rams 'needs' as limited to an inside linebacker (to pair with starting ILB Omar Speights) and a cornerback. They also mention some choices the team could address in the draft at tight end, quarterback, and offensive tackle,
Sam Monson chimes in with the oxymoron nature of the Rams drafting an inside linebacker. The Rams have been viewed as a team in need of an inside linebacker in almost every season led by HC Sean McVay. The only linebacker drafted by the team was former South Carolina ILB prospect Ernest Jones IV, who competed for the Rams for three of his first four seasons.
Even Rams reporter J.B. Long tosses some humor at the stress experienced by some fans over the state of the Rams ILB position, suggesting that defensive back Quentin Lake's sumo wrestler video may foretell a solution for the Rams inside linebacker needs going forward.
There are always select scenarios that mandate swapping out a defensive back for a linebacker and bolstering the pass coverage on the defensive side of the football.
Still, it comes down to the old carpenter adage, measure twice and cut once. So how do the insights of Mina Kimes and Sam Monson play out for the Rams in the 2025 NFL Draft? Here comes the fun part. Let's dive right in:
Primary needs
When it comes to the 2025 NFL Draft, primary needs for the Los Angeles Rams do not necessarily dictate positions that must be addressed on Day 1. The primary need positions are simply the positional needs perceived by the front office at some point in time through the three-day event. With eight draft picks, having a consensus of two reputable NFL Draft analysts limit their expected shopping list to two positions shines an extremely positive light on the Rams upcoming scavenger hunt.
Primary 'need': Cornerback
With the extension of veteran cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, the Rams cornerback position entering 2025 is in a better position that this time a year ago. Gone is not-ready-for-prime-time veteran Tre'Davious White. Both Witherspoon and Emmanuel Forbes are onboard, ready to participate in their first Rams training camp. And there is the return to health of Derion Kendrick. But, there is a need for more help.
The Rams roster boasts plenty of players at the cornerback position. Even after the outright release of CB Tre Tomlinson, the team is still bursting with cornerbacks. They are:
- Cobie Durant | Year 4 | 5-foot-11 | 182 pounds
- Darious Williams | Year 8 | 5-foot-9 | 192 pounds
- Derion Kendrick | Year 4 | 6-foot-0 | 199 pounds
- Ahkello Witherspoon | Year 9 | 6-foot-2 | 195 pounds
- Emmanuel Forbes Jr. | Year 3 | 6-foot-0 | 180 pounds
- A.J. Green | Year 4 | 6-foot-2 | 198 pounds
- Shaun Jolly | Year 4 | 5-foot-9 | 186 pounds
- Cam Lampkin | Year 2 | 5-foot-11 | 176 pounds
- Josh Wallace | Year 2 | 6-foot-0 | 189 pounds
- Charles Woods | Year 2 | 5-foot-11 | 185 pounds
So why are NFL analysts agreeing on the need to add a cornerback in the upcoming draft? Among 10 players list above, there are questions and concerns associated with each player. Whether it's health concerns, a lack of experience, a low ceiling of productivity, of simply a host of unknowns, the Rams roster may have presumed starting cornerbacks, but none are viewed as Pro Bowl quality.
If the Rams do address the cornerback position, the likely opportunity will manifest on Days 1 or 2. The team has plenty of competitors, so the need at cornerback is about quality. Four cornerbacks were selected in Round 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft (including Emmanuel Forbes Jr.). Three cornerbacks were selected in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft. Based on the numeric scores assigned in the past two drafts, as many as six CBs could hear their names called out in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Will the Rams be among the teams that name a cornerback as the selection in Round 1? There are many solid reasons to do so. But this is a solid group, and the Rams could tuck that need away until Day 2.
Primary 'need': Linebacker
Inside linebacker is not a typical early selection for any NFL team. When it comes to the LA Rams, it is a position that almost never is addressed. The Rams did select ILB Ernest Jones IV in Round 3 of the 2021 NFL Draft with the 103rd overall pick. While the team found a very productive and competitive linebacker in Jones, he did not survive the duration of his rookie contract. Still, the team has lost both Jake Hummel and Christian Rozeboom, is unlikely to extend Troy Reeder.
As it currently stands, the Rams face the upcoming 2025 NFL season with:
- Omar Speights | Year 2 | 6-foot-1 | 228 pounds
- Nate Landman | Year 4 | 6-foot-3 | 235 pounds
- Tony Fields II | Year 5 | 6-foot-0 | 222 pounds
- Elias Neal | Year 2 | 6-foot-0 | 227 pounds
The Rams roster faces two challenges at the linebacker position. The Rams are lacking adequate depth and an obvious partner to start alongside Omar Speights in 2025. But are the coaches convinced that Speights is a presumed starter in 2025? Based on the lack of activity at the position, the team appears to be content with the status quo.
Ideally, the Rams need two linebackers during or after the draft. The starting linebacker next to Speights is perhaps the more urgent need. Ideally, that player will need to be adequate at stuffing the run, but excel at pass coverage. The other linebacker is a player who can be counted on for quality reps as a rotational or special teams contributor, but who can step up to start if the need arises.
The 2025 NFL Draft has enough draftable prospects to supply the Rams options for both types of linebackers. Will the team pull the trigger on selecting one? The team has a terrible track record of addressing the interior linebacker position in previous drafts. Is this the year that the team alters its draft strategy?
Secondary needs
I have to be careful to explain what I mean here. Secondary needs are simply strategic or less urgent positions to be addressed in the draft. The Rams roster has some clear needs for depth at positions where the starting player is getting up in years, has shown some regression in durability, and may opt to retire in the near future. As of right now, three players seem to fit that criteria. They are RT Rob Havenstein, TE Tyler Higbee, and QB Matthew Stafford.
Secondary 'need': Offensive tackle
When it comes to offensive tackle, the Rams have tried to address the backup offensive tackle role. The team is moving away from swing tackle Joe Noteboom in 2025, as his durability concerns hit critical mass last season. Can the team rely upon Warren McClendon Jr., AJ Arcuri, and KT Leveston to handle any need to fill in at offensive tackle in 2025?
If the average pattern develops this year, the Rams will need to have seven games with an alternate offensive tackle available, and one of those games is very likely to include the need to swap in offensive tackles at both positions. Do the Rams have that capacity on the roster right now? If Leveston pans out in 2025, the answer is yes. But are the Rams comfortable turning over the keys to a starting RT role to any player on the roster right now? I'm not convinced that the coaches are that warm and fuzzy.
I suspect that the Rams view a Day 1 offensive tackle as overkill. Rob Havenstein and Alaric Jackson are the presumed starting offensive tackles in 2025, and Warren McClendon Jr. is the presumed swing-tackle who will take over for outbound OT Joe Noteboom. But the Rams will want to add more OL talent, perhaps as many as four or five rookie prospects during and after the 2025 NFL Draft.
Current starting left tackle Alaric Jackson signed with the Rams after the 2021 NFL Draft. So it's not when offensive linemen are added. The important thing is that they are added.
Secondary 'need': Tight end
The Rams have shown persistent resolve in adding an elite tight end to the roster in each of the past two drafts. In 2023, the Rams tried without success to trade into Round 1 to select Utah TE Dalton Kincaid. In 2024, the team tried to trade up to select Georgia TE Brock Bowers. The team was denied last year as well. In 2025, both Penn State TE Tyler Warren and Michigan TE Colston Loveland are viewed as elite tight ends. If the Rams agree, and follow their historic pattern of trying to trade up to be in position to select one or the other, fans should prepare now for Day 1 fireworks out of Rams GM Les Snead.
Beyond Warren and Loveland, draft profiles of the remaining tight ends spin off in a variety of directions. But what were common elements that seemed to attract the Rams to either Kincaid or Bower in the past? They are fluid pass catching tight ends with a full command of route trees, soft hands, and the ability to tack on yards after the catch.
Tight end prospects to keep on your radar screen for the Rams in Round 1 include: Michigan TE Colston Loveland, LSU TE Mason Taylor, and Bowling Green TE Harold Fannin Jr., Given the history of tight ends in past drafts, the Rams are almost certain to have two options at the tight end position at the 26th overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. Will the Rams pull the trigger for a rookie tight end in 2025? I like the chances of the team doing so.
Secondary 'need': Quarterback
When it comes to how the Rams view their succession plan behind veteran Matthew Stafford this season, I have no problem with the way the team is currently constructed. The team has starting quarterback Matthew Stafford, veteran backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, and reserve quarterback Stetson Bennett. How long the Rams can rely on Stafford to fill the starting quarterback role? And the answer to that question dictates how the team approaches this draft.
While the quality of available quarterback prospects may not excite many NFL fans, the lack of teams who will shop for quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft will create some intriguing opportunities. When the Rams step up to the draft podium, some draft analysts expect only two quarterbacks to be off the board. If that scenario plays out, the Rams could be looking at quarterback prospects that include:
- Miami QB Cam Ward (off the board)
- Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders (off the board)
- Mississippi QB Jaxson Dart
- Louisville QB Tyler Shough
- Texas QB Quinn Ewers
- Alabama QB Jalen Milroe
- Syracuse QB Kyler McCord
- Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel
It's the abundance of quarterback talent at the end of Round 1 that legendary Rams quarterback Jim Everett used to assert that the Rams are likely to trade back from the 26th overall pick. He has a legitimate point. I cannot see the Rams investing a Round 1 pick into a young quarterback to bury him on the depth chart for a year. It's far more likely that the team invests a Day 2 or Day 3 pick into the quarterback position.
Multiple teams face the dilemma of choosing elite talent early in Round 1, while needing a young quarterback. The wisest strategy for those teams becomes choosing the most talented player on the draft board in Round 1. Then, using their early Round 2 pick and package other picks to pry the Rams late Round 1 pick away, and use the 26th overall pick to address a promising quarterback prospect to their roster.
The Rams would love to add picks in Rounds 2 and 5. If a talented tight end prospect is there in Round 2, so much the better.
These are not the ONLY positions that the Rams may address in the 2025 NFL Draft. But they are positions that the Rams almost certainly will address at some point during the draft. Keep in mind that the Rams have mastered their past two drafts with insightful strategies that have buoyed an aging team into a very competitive roster while becoming younger and younger.
I'm incredibly encouraged by this Rams draft insight from Mina Kimes and Sam Monson. Hopefully, you will feel optimistic as well. As always, thanks for reading.
