The Los Angeles Rams, under the stewardship of General Manager Les Snead and Head Coach Sean McVay, have built a reputation for savvy roster management, balancing high-profile veteran acquisitions with cost-effective rookie contributions. As the team continues to navigate the complexities of the NFL salary cap, signing their 2025 NFL Draft class is critical in maintaining financial flexibility while adding young talent to an already competitive roster. Let’s analyze the financial implications of signing the Rams’ 2025 rookie class, including projected salary cap costs, the structure of rookie contracts, and how these figures impact the team’s overall cap situation.
The 2025 NFL Draft Class: A Lean but Strategic Haul
The Los Angeles Rams entered the 2025 NFL Draft with a limited number of selections, a byproduct of their aggressive trading strategy in previous years. With only six draft picks, the Rams made calculated moves to address key roster needs while preserving future draft capital. According to reports, the Rams’ 2025 draft class consists of the following players:
- TE Terrance Ferguson (No. 46 overall, 2nd round): A versatile tight end from Oregon, expected to add depth and playmaking to the passing game.
- OLB Josaiah Stewart (No. 90 overall, 3rd round): A pass-rushing linebacker from Michigan, poised to bolster the defensive front.
- RB Jarquez Hunter (No. 117 overall, 4th round): A running back from Auburn, adding depth to a backfield led by Kyren Williams.
- DT Ty Hamilton (No. 148 overall, 5th round): A defensive tackle from Ohio State, providing rotational support on the interior line.
- LB Chris Paul Jr. (No. 155 overall, 5th round): A linebacker from Ole Miss, drafted to compete for a starting role at inside linebacker.
- WR Konata Mumpfield (No. 242 overall, 6th round): A wide receiver from Pittsburgh, likely targeted for special teams and depth.
In addition to these drafted players, the Rams signed 17 undrafted free agents (UDFAs) following the draft, a group that includes players like Boise State offensive lineman Ben Dooley, Rice outside linebacker Josh Pearcy, and Oklahoma State wide receiver Brennan Presley, among others. While UDFAs typically command lower salaries, their contracts still contribute to the overall rookie pool and must be accounted for in the team’s salary cap calculations.
Understanding the NFL Rookie Salary Pool
The NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) establishes a structured system for rookie contracts, ensuring that teams can sign their draft picks without significant negotiation hurdles. The rookie salary pool, often referred to as the “rookie pool,” represents the total cap dollars a team must allocate to sign its draft class. This figure is determined by the number and position of a team’s draft picks, with higher selections commanding larger contracts.
The rookie pool is not the same as the actual cap space required to sign the class. Under the NFL’s “Rule of 51,” only the top 51 player salaries count against the salary cap during the offseason. Since most rookies will replace lower-salaried players already on the roster (typically earning close to the league minimum), the effective cap hit for signing the rookie class is significantly less than the total rookie pool. This distinction is crucial for understanding the Rams’ financial obligations.
The Rams’ 2025 Rookie Pool: A League-Low Figure
According to Over The Cap, the Los Angeles Rams have the smallest rookie pool in the NFL for the 2025 season, set at $6.734 million. This figure reflects the team’s lack of a first-round pick, the relatively low slot of their highest selection (No. 46 overall), and their limited number of draft picks (six). For comparison, the New England Patriots, with a larger and higher-selected draft class, have the largest rookie pool at $18.887 million.
Here’s a breakdown of the estimated cap hits for each of the Rams’ 2025 draft picks, based on Over The Cap’s projections:
- TE Terrance Ferguson (No. 46): $1.766 million
- OLB Josaiah Stewart (No. 90): $1.140 million
- RB Jarquez Hunter (No. 117): $1.089 million
- DT Ty Hamilton (No. 148): $949,645
- LB Chris Paul Jr. (No. 155): $949,645 (estimated, based on similar slot value)
- WR Konata Mumpfield (No. 242): $867,135
These figures represent the total cap hit for each player’s contract in 2025, which includes a base salary, a signing bonus prorated over the length of the contract (typically four years), and any applicable roster or workout bonuses. The contracts for drafted players are slotted based on their draft position, leaving little room for negotiation beyond minor details like bonus structures.
Effective Cap Space Required
While the rookie pool totals $6.734 million, the effective cap space required to sign the class is lower due to the Rule of 51. As rookies are signed, they displace players at the bottom of the roster, whose salaries (often near the league minimum of approximately $795,000 for players with minimal experience in 2025) are already counted against the cap. The effective cap hit is calculated as the difference between the rookie’s cap hit and the salary of the player they replace.
For example:
- Terrance Ferguson’s cap hit is $1.766 million. If he replaces a player with a $795,000 cap hit, the net increase to the cap is approximately $971,000.
- Konata Mumpfield’s cap hit is $867,135. Replacing a player with a $795,000 cap hit results in a net increase of about $72,135.
Assuming all six rookies replace players with salaries around the league minimum, the effective cap space required to sign the drafted players is estimated to be approximately $3.5–4 million. This figure accounts for the net increase in cap hits after displacing lower-salaried players.
Undrafted Free Agents: A Smaller but Significant Cost
The Rams’ 17 UDFAs add another layer to the financial equation. Unlike drafted players, UDFAs are not bound by slotted contracts, but their deals are typically modest, consisting of a small signing bonus (often $5,000–$25,000) and a base salary at or near the league minimum. In 2025, the minimum salary for a rookie with zero credited seasons is expected to be around $795,000.
A typical UDFA contract might look like this:
- Base Salary: $795,000
- Signing Bonus: $10,000 (prorated over three years, resulting in a $3,333 cap hit per year)
- Total 2025 Cap Hit: $798,333
If all 17 UDFAs sign contracts with an average cap hit of $800,000, the total cap cost for the UDFA class would be approximately $13.6 million. However, only a subset of these players will make the 53-man roster or practice squad, significantly reducing the actual cap impact. Assuming 8–10 UDFAs make the roster or practice squad, the effective cap hit for UDFAs is likely in the range of $6–8 million, with only the top earners counting against the Rule of 51.
Combining the drafted players and UDFAs, the total effective cap space required to sign the entire 2025 rookie class (drafted and undrafted) is estimated to be $10–12 million, depending on roster cuts and practice squad designations.
The Rams’ Current Salary Cap Situation
As of May 6, 2025, the Rams have approximately $17.7 million in available salary cap space, according to Over The Cap. This figure reflects the NFL’s 2025 salary cap of $279.2 million per team and the Rams’ recent roster moves, including the release of veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp and contract restructurings for players like quarterback Matthew Stafford and offensive tackle Alaric Jackson.
A post on X from @RamsFansForum on May 5, 2025, suggested the Rams had about $21 million in cap space before signing their rookie class, with an estimated $6.5 million needed for the rookies. This aligns closely with Over The Cap’s $6.734 million rookie pool figure. The post also noted that the Rams could free up additional cap space after June 1 due to the structure of Kupp’s release, which may spread dead money over multiple years.
After signing their rookie class, the Rams are projected to have $5–7 million in remaining cap space, assuming no additional roster moves. This cushion allows the team to pursue veteran free agents, such as a potential trade for cornerback Jalen Ramsey, or to carry over cap space into the regular season for in-season acquisitions or injury replacements.
Strategic Implications and Financial Flexibility
The Rams’ small rookie pool is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it reflects their limited draft capital, a consequence of trading first-round picks for veterans like Stafford and Ramsey in previous years. On the other hand, it provides significant financial flexibility, allowing the team to allocate resources to high-impact veterans while relying on Snead’s proven ability to find value in mid-to-late-round picks and UDFAs.
The 2025 rookie class, though small, is designed to complement an already talented roster. Players like Terrance Ferguson and Josaiah Stewart have the potential to contribute immediately, while others, like Jarquez Hunter and Chris Paul Jr., add depth at premium positions. The UDFA class, with its size and diversity, increases the likelihood of uncovering hidden gems, as the Rams did with players like Puka Nacua (2023) and Omar Speights (2024).
Moreover, the Rams’ cap management strategy—eating significant dead money in 2023 ($77 million) and restructuring contracts in 2025—has positioned them to compete in the present while building for the future. With two first-round picks projected for the 2026 NFL Draft (their own and Atlanta’s, acquired in a 2025 trade), the Rams are well-equipped to sustain their competitive window.
Wrapping It Up
The Los Angeles Rams need approximately $6.734 million in total cap dollars to sign their six drafted rookies in 2025, with an effective cap hit of $3.5–4 million after accounting for the Rule of 51. The addition of 17 undrafted free agents brings the total effective cap cost for the rookie class to an estimated $10–12 million, depending on roster decisions. With $17.7 million in available cap space as of May 6, 2025, the Rams are comfortably positioned to sign their rookies while retaining flexibility for further roster moves.
This financial efficiency underscores the Rams’ roster-building philosophy: maximize value from cost-controlled rookies, leverage veteran talent, and maintain cap flexibility for strategic acquisitions. As the 2025 season approaches, the Rams’ ability to integrate their rookie class without straining their cap will be a key factor in their pursuit of another NFC West title and a deep playoff run.
Sources:
- Over The Cap (Rookie Pool and Salary Cap Data)
- Turf Show Times (Draft and UDFA Tracker)
- X Post by @RamsFansForum (Cap Space Estimate)
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