VAN NUYS, Calif. – The Rams selected four players on Day 3 to round out a six-member 2025 NFL Draft class. In rounds 4-7 on Saturday, Los Angeles traded up three times to go after the players they wanted.
Afterward, head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead held a press conference with local media recapping those moves, their evaluations of running back Jarquez Hunter and inside linebacker Chris "Pooh" Paul Jr., and their overall thoughts on the class.
More on those key takeaways below.
Current roster makeup allowed for aggressive moves
As previously noted, the Rams moved up three times on Saturday to make their selections, coming away with Hunter in Round 4, then Paul and Ohio State defensive lineman Ty Hamilton in Round 5 before staying put to take Pitt wide receiver Konata Mumpfield at pick 242 in Round 7.
The overall six-man class is the smallest in the McVay-Snead era.
"I think it was, like you said, based on our roster, who we were, how the board was going, players that you really were convicted could come in and contribute, whatever that vision for the role was, and it was starting to get thin," Snead said. "So we said, you know what, instead of wait and just, I call it, letting the draft happen to you, let's go attack the draft. And when you do that, you have to give up some picks, but we thought that was the more appropriate thing to do."
As Snead alluded to, the Rams did give up some of those extra selections in the process, including picks 201 and 202 in the sixth round and a 2026 fourth-round pick, but they ultimately felt it was justified.
"We're all about competition, and we expect these six players to upgrade our roster," McVay said.
Hunter has "the ability to go through you or to be able to run away from you"
According to Football Insights (@fball_insights on X), Hunter's career explosive run rate – defined by the account as runs of 10-plus yards – of 18.9% was second-highest among running backs in this year's class.
It's a trait the Rams certainly had an appreciation for.
McVay said Hunter has "the ability to go through you or to be able to run away from you," and break off long runs.
"He can hit home runs for you too," McVay said. "You give him a vertical seam, he's got the ability to run away from you. I mean, some of the metrics that we have on him are really impressive."
Too early to look ahead to 2026
One of the biggest headlines from this year's draft was the Rams acquiring a 2026 first-round pick from the Falcons, giving Los Angeles two next year.
A reporter said it seemed like this was really about two drafts – this year and next year, rather than just this year alone. The Rams anticipated trading back, but not necessarily for a future first-round pick, according to Snead.
So, while the Rams seem well positioned for next year, it's too early to think that far ahead.
"One year's like dog years in coaching for me," McVay said. "That's a long way away."
