VAN NUYS, Calif. — By trading out of the first round, the Los Angeles Rams entered the 2025 NFL Draft prioritizing future assets while still adding immediate contributors. The Rams parlayed their Nos. 26 and 101 picks into additional draft capital. They secured a future first-round pick and selected two players in the second round.
The Rams packaged their first-round selection to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for a second, a seventh-rounder, and the coveted 2026 first-round pick. Los Angeles General Manager Les Snead continues to value flexibility, ensuring the Rams have the capital to maneuver and manipulate the draft to supplement their roster.
Los Angeles now has eight total picks in this year’s draft, but instead of a first- and third-round selection, they hold an extra second and seventh-round selection.
Terrance Ferguson
At No. 46, the Rams took the 6-foot-5, 247-pound Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson. He set school records for receptions (134) and touchdowns (16) by a tight end.
Expect head coach Sean McVay to utilize his size and athleticism with tight end screens, to make the passing game more multiple and dynamic.
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Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson (TE08) participates in drills during the 2025 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Strengths:
Reliable hands and strong ball skills
Effective after the catch, fitting well in McVay’s screen-heavy system
Potential to develop as a run blocker
Weaknesses:
Inconsistent blocking effort and technique
Lacks elite separation quickness
Contested-catch success rate lower than expected for his size
Ferguson will compete for snaps behind Tyler Higbee and Colby Parkinson, but his receiving ability could earn him early playing time.
Josaiah Stewart
At No. 52, the Rams surprised some by selecting Michigan edge rusher Josaiah Stewart, despite already having Jared Verse and Byron Young as starters. Stewart, an undersized but high-motor defender, recorded 8.5 sacks last season, bringing more relentless energy to the Rams’ pass rush.
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Michigan defensive end Josaiah Stewart (0) celebrates a tackle against USC during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024.
Strengths:
Explosive first step and strong bend as a rusher
High-effort player with relentless pursuit
Experience dropping into coverage
Weaknesses:
Below-average size (6-foot-1, 249 pounds) for a traditional edge rusher
Needs to develop counter moves
Can be overwhelmed by bigger offensive tackles
While not an immediate starter, Stewart provides valuable depth and could develop into a rotational pass-rushing weapon.
Looking Ahead
The Rams’ trade-back maneuver underscored their confidence in the current roster while strategically bolstering future flexibility. Securing a 2026 first-round pick from Atlanta arms Snead with a pivotal asset—a chip that could be leveraged for high-stakes draft moves or trades in coming years.
With six selections still available, highlighted by a third-round choice (No. 83), Los Angeles remains positioned to target lingering needs, including depth at cornerback, offensive line, or linebacker.
In Ferguson and Stewart, the Rams secured a pair of dynamic prospects whose tenacity and playmaking potential align seamlessly with the relentless, forward-thinking culture McVay and Snead continue to cultivate.