Rams 2025 Draft: Top Five Players by Position

Top Five Players by Position in the NFL Draft: Fits For The Rams?
Top Five Players by Position in the NFL Draft: Fits For The Rams?

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, set to kick off on April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the football world is buzzing with anticipation over a class brimming with talent. With the college football season concluded and pro days winding down, the top prospects have solidified their standings through performances, combine results, and film analysis. Drawing from extensive scouting reports, expert rankings, and emerging consensus, this article highlights the top five players at each major position—quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, offensive tackle, interior offensive line, edge rusher, defensive tackle, linebacker, cornerback, and safety—for the 2025 NFL Draft. For the Los Angeles Rams, several of these players should be available when the Rams make their selection with the 26th pick. These rankings reflect a synthesis of athletic potential, production, and NFL readiness, offering a snapshot of the stars poised to shape the league’s future.

Quarterback

The 2025 quarterback class lacks a clear generational talent but offers a mix of high-ceiling prospects and polished performers.

  1. Cam Ward (Miami) – Ward’s electric arm and improvisational flair make him QB2. His 7.5% big-time throw rate (PFF) and 4,123 yards in 2024 highlight his Superman-like playmaking, though his unorthodox style raises consistency questions.
  2. Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) – Sanders tops the list with his poise, accuracy, and pocket presence. His 2024 season showcased a 72% completion rate and 4,132 passing yards, per NCAA stats, with a knack for delivering under pressure. Scouts love his NFL pedigree—son of Deion Sanders—and cool-headed decision-making.
  3. Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss) 6’2″, 223lbs – Dart rushed for 1,500 yards and 12 touchdowns in three seasons at Ole Miss. His quickness, toughness, and ability to make defenders miss allow him to be an effective scrambler or threat on designed quarterback runs.
  4. Tyler Shough (Louisville) 6’5″, 219lbs – Pocket passer with a seven-year college career prompted by three consecutive years of injuries while at Texas Tech. Shough will turn 26 in September, was in the same recruiting class as Trevor Lawrence, and backed up Justin Herbert at Oregon.
  5. Jalen Milroe (Alabama) – Milroe’s dual-threat upside—3,812 passing yards and 1,052 rushing yards in 2024—keeps him in the top tier. His elite athleticism shines, but recent inconsistencies against SEC foes temper his stock.

Running Back

A renaissance at the position, the 2025 running back class is deep and dynamic.

  1. Ashton Jeanty (Boise State) – Jeanty is a unanimous RB1, a Heisman contender with 2,497 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024 (NCAA). His blend of vision, power, and breakaway speed (4.38 40-yard dash) screams All-Pro potential.
  2. Omarion Hampton (North Carolina) – Hampton’s bruising style—1,987 yards, 6.1 yards per carry—pairs with surprising agility. His physicality makes him a bell-cow back prospect.
  3. TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State) – Henderson’s home-run speed (1,623 yards, 8.2 yards per carry) and receiving chops (42 catches) make him a versatile weapon, though durability concerns linger.
  4. Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State) – Judkins, a transfer from Ole Miss, piled up 1,567 yards in 2024. His compact power and tackle-breaking ability (58 forced missed tackles, PFF) fit any scheme.
  5. Dylan Sampson (Tennessee) – Sampson’s 1,722 yards and SEC-leading 22 touchdowns showcase his burst and elusiveness, rounding out a stacked group.

Wide Receiver

The wide receiver class blends size, speed, and polish, with several first-round locks.

  1. Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona) – At 6’5”, 210 lbs, McMillan’s 1,622 yards in 2024 and silky route-running make him WR1. His length and ball skills scream alpha receiver.
  2. Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State) – Egbuka’s 87.4 PFF receiving grade and 1,347 yards highlight his savvy and separation skills. He’s a high-floor WR1/WR2 hybrid.
  3. Matthew Golden (Texas) – Golden’s late-season surge—102.8 yards per game in his final four outings—vaulted him up boards. His polish and instincts shine at 6’0”, 195 lbs.
  4. Jalen Royals (Utah State) – Royals’ 1,539 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024 reflect his deep-threat prowess (20.1 yards per catch). His speed stretches defenses.
  5. Ricky White (UNLV) – White’s 1,454 yards and smooth hands make him a sleeper turned star. He’s a reliable chain-mover with breakout potential.

Tight End

Tight ends in 2025 offer versatility and playmaking flair.

  1. Tyler Warren (Penn State) – Warren’s 18-catch, 226-yard masterpiece against USC in 2024 (PFF 91.6 grade) cements him as TE1. At 6’6”, 260 lbs, he’s a matchup nightmare.
  2. Colston Loveland (Michigan) – Loveland’s 41.2% target rate per route and 912 yards in a lackluster passing attack showcase his elite hands and blocking.
  3. Mason Taylor (LSU) – Taylor’s 6’5” frame and 784 yards in 2024 make him a rising Day 2 gem with inline and receiving chops.
  4. Ben Yurosek (Georgia) – Yurosek’s 672 yards and athletic fluidity at 6’4” offer a modern TE profile, though he needs to refine blocking.
  5. Luke Lachey (Iowa) – Lachey’s 584 yards and stout run-blocking round out the top five, a throwback with receiving upside.

Offensive Tackle

The tackle class is strong but debated, with length concerns clouding some projections.

  1. Will Campbell (LSU) – Campbell’s 6’6”, 320-lb frame and fluid pass protection (88.9 PFF grade) make him OT1, despite a 33-inch arm length debate.
  2. Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas) – Banks’ 6’4”, 320-lb build and 87.6 PFF grade shine, though his shorter arms (32¾”) might push him inside for some teams.
  3. Armand Membou (Missouri) – Membou’s combine athleticism and 89.1 PFF grade at right tackle mark him as a safe, versatile pick.
  4. Josh Conerly Jr. (Oregon) – Conerly’s 6’5”, 305-lb frame and explosive run-blocking (86.4 PFF) offer high upside with refinement needed.
  5. Josh Simmons (Ohio State) – Simmons’ 6’5”, 310-lb agility, and 85.9 PFF grade round out a deep group, though consistency is key.

Interior Offensive Line

Interior linemen bring brawn and brains to the 2025 draft.

  1. Tyler Booker (Alabama) – Booker’s 6’5”, 325-lb power, and 88.2 PFF grade at guard make him a Day 1 starter with tackle potential.
  2. Donovan Jackson (Ohio State) – Jackson’s 6’4”, 320-lb frame and 87.5 PFF grade offer guard versatility and pass-pro polish.
  3. Wyatt Milum (West Virginia) – Milum’s 6’6”, 315-lb mauling style (86.9 PFF) fits as a guard or tackle swing player.
  4. Tate Ratledge (Georgia) – Ratledge’s 6’6”, 310-lb run-blocking (87.1 PFF) and technique shine at guard.
  5. Grey Zabel (North Dakota State) – Zabel’s 6’6”, 295-lb IQ and 85.8 PFF grade make him a center/guard sleeper.

Edge Rusher

Edge rushers dominate with depth and star power.

  1. Abdul Carter (Penn State) – Carter’s 90.1 PFF pass-rush grade and 20.4% win rate in 2024 mark him as a top-five lock with elite burst.
  2. James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee) – Pearce’s 6’5”, 243-lb frame and 15.5 sacks (NCAA) scream double-digit sack potential.
  3. Mykel Williams (Georgia) – Williams’ 6’5”, 265-lb athleticism, and 12 pressures in 2024 hint at untapped havoc.
  4. Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M) – Stewart’s 6’6”, 290-lb traits and 39 pressures (PFF) outweigh his modest sack totals.
  5. Nic Scourton (Texas A&M) – Scourton’s 6’4”, 280-lb deep pass-rush bag and 10 sacks round out a stacked class.

Defensive Tackle

Interior defenders bring size and disruption.

  1. Mason Graham (Michigan) – Graham’s 6’3”, 320-lb dominance (90.3 PFF grade) and top-five buzz make him DT1.
  2. Kenneth Grant (Michigan) – Grant’s 6’3”, 340-lb power and 88.7 PFF grade complement Graham as a top-25 talent.
  3. Tyleik Williams (Ohio State) – Williams’ 6’3”, 330-lb agility, and 9 sacks in 2024 offer Day 2 value.
  4. Derrick Harmon (Oregon) – Harmon’s 6’5”, 320-lb frame and 87.9 PFF grade disrupt from the interior.
  5. T.J. Sanders (South Carolina) – Sanders’ 6’5”, 305-lb versatility,y and 86.5 PFF grade cap a strong group.

Linebacker

Linebackers lean on speed and instincts over star power.

  1. Jalon Walker (Georgia) – Walker’s 6’2”, 245-lb explosiveness and 8.5 sacks in 2024 make him LB1.
  2. Jihaad Campbell (Alabama) has the ideal build and athletic ability to play any linebacker spot, but he projects best to a Mike or Sam LB in 4-3 schemes or a Mike/EDGE in a 3-4. He must continue to develop anticipation and strength, but he has the mold of an All-Pro player.
  3. Barrett Carter (Clemson) – Carter’s 6’1”, 230-lb speed, and 87.2 PFF grade fit modern defenses.
  4. Jeffrey Bassa (Oregon) – Bassa’s 6’2”, 225-lb hybrid play and coverage skills shine (86.8 PFF)
  5. Demetrius Knight Jr. (Charlotte) – Knight’s 6’2”, 240-lb sleeper status and 85.9 PFF grade round it out.

Cornerback

Cornerbacks boast elite talent at the top.

  1. Travis Hunter (Colorado) – Hunter’s two-way stardom—1,287 receiving yards, 11 picks (NCAA)—makes him CB1 and a top overall pick.
  2. Will Johnson (Michigan) – Johnson’s 6’2”, 202-lb man-coverage traits (89.6 PFF) scream top-10 potential.
  3. Jahdae Barron (Texas) – Barron’s Thorpe Award-winning instincts and 7 picks in 2024 (PFF 90.1) dazzle.
  4. Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame) – Morrison’s 6’0”, 190-lb first-round talent persists despite a 2024 hip injury.
  5. Shavon Revel Jr. (East Carolina) – Revel’s 6’3”, 195-lb frame and pre-ACL tear tape (88.7 PFF) cap the top five.

Safety

Safeties offer high-IQ playmakers with solid depth.

  1. Malaki Starks (Georgia) – Starks’ 6’1”, 205-lb range and 3-year dominance (89.9 PFF) make him S1.
  2. Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina) – Emmanwori’s 6’3”, 230-lb traits and pick-six flair shine (88.5 PFF).
  3. Kevin Winston Jr. (Penn State) – Winston’s 6’2”, 205-lb athleticism holds despite a 2024 injury (87.8 PFF).
  4. Xavier Watts (Notre Dame) – Watts’ 11 career picks and 88.9 PFF grade in 2024 anchor the class.
  5. Kamari Ramsey (USC) – Ramsey’s 6’0”, 205-lb anticipation and 87.6 PFF grade complete the top tier.

Wrap Up

The 2025 NFL Draft class, as of April 8, 2025, is a treasure trove of talent, with edge rushers, running backs, and cornerbacks leading the charge in-depth and star power. From Travis Hunter’s two-way brilliance to Ashton Jeanty’s rushing dominance, these top-five lists highlight players ready to make an instant impact. While quarterback and linebacker lack the same top-end punch, the overall pool offers something for every team’s needs. As draft boards finalize and trades loom, these prospects stand as the cream of the crop—poised to etch their names into NFL history come April 24. Who will the Rams select, will they trade up/down? The countdown is on.

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About Gary Boutwell 166 Articles
Gary Boutwell is the proud owner and founder of The Rams Forum and, The Rams News, two thriving online communities dedicated to NFL enthusiasts. A lifelong football fan with a particular affinity for the Los Angeles Rams, Gary has turned his passion for the game into a platform where fans can connect, debate, and share their love for the sport. Now retired after a distinguished career in information technology (IT), Gary spends his days writing about the NFL, offering insights, analysis, and commentary that reflect his deep knowledge and enthusiasm for the league.

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