As the Los Angeles Rams gear up for the 2025 NFL Draft, the front office faces a pivotal moment. With a roster that has oscillated between Super Bowl contention and injury-riddled uncertainty in recent years, General Manager Les Snead and Head Coach Sean McVay must strike a balance between immediate impact and long-term potential. The draft class of 2025 offers a mixed bag of tantalizing talent and cautionary tales, as highlighted in SB Nation’s recent breakdown of prospects with notable “bust potential”—Shedeur Sanders, Cam Skattebo, Tetairoa McMillan, and Will Campbell among them. For a Rams team known for bold moves and a “win-now” mentality, how might these players fit into their plans? Let’s dive into a unique and detailed exploration of how Los Angeles could approach these prospects, weighing their upside against their risks.
The Rams’ Draft Context: A Balancing Act
The Rams are set to enter the 2025 NFL draft with their first-round pick at #26, given their knack for defying expectations under McVay. After trading away early picks in past years for veterans like Matthew Stafford and Jalen Ramsey, Snead has signaled a return to the draft as a primary roster-building tool. With Stafford’s age creeping up and key contributors like Cooper Kupp now with the Seahawks, the Rams need a blend of youth and reliability. While the offensive line, quarterback succession, and offensive playmakers remain focal points, the defense could use an infusion of talent in the secondary and at linebacker.
SB Nation’s analysis flags four prospects with “bust potential,” each carrying red flags that could scare off risk-averse teams. Yet, the Rams have never shied away from gambling on talent—Stafford’s injury history and Von Miller’s late-career acquisition come to mind. Could one of these high-upside, high-risk players align with Los Angeles’ vision? Let’s break it down position by position.
Shedeur Sanders (QB, Colorado): The Flashy Heir Apparent?
SB Nation’s Take: Sanders’ tendency to drift in the pocket, a habit potentially ingrained by Colorado’s shaky offensive line, raises concerns about his adaptability to NFL pressure. His arm talent and poise are undeniable, but his freelancing could lead to bust status if not refined.
Rams Fit: The Rams aren’t likely to pick high enough to snag Sanders, who’s projected as a top-10 selection. However, Snead’s history of blockbuster trades—think the Stafford deal in 2021—suggests he might package picks to move up if he sees Sanders as the future beyond Stafford. Matthew’s contract runs through 2026, giving the Rams a window to groom a successor. Sanders’ charisma and ability to extend plays could appeal to McVay, who thrives with quarterbacks who can improvise (see: Stafford’s no-look throws).
Upside: Sanders’ deep-ball accuracy and clutch gene—he led Colorado to a bowl game in 2024—could make him a star in McVay’s play-action-heavy scheme. Pair him with Puka Nacua, Devante Adams, and a healthy Kyren Williams, and the offense stays explosive.
Risk: That drifting pocket presence could spell disaster behind a Rams O-line that’s been inconsistent. If Sanders doesn’t adapt to McVay’s timing-based system, he might mirror Jared Goff’s early struggles in Los Angeles before his 2017 turnaround. Trading up for a “boom-or-bust” QB also risks depleting draft capital, a luxury the Rams can ill afford with other needs looming.
Verdict: If Sanders slides to the teens due to quarterback-needy teams passing on him, the Rams should pounce. Otherwise, the cost might outweigh the reward.
Cam Skattebo (RB, Arizona State): The Do-It-All Wildcard
SB Nation’s Take: Skattebo’s ball security issues—fumbles marred his otherwise stellar 2024 season—cast doubt on his reliability as a lead back. His 1,712 rushing yards and 44 receptions highlight his versatility, but in a loaded RB class, his draft stock is murky.
Rams Fit: Kyren Williams has emerged as a cornerstone of the Rams’ run game, but his injury history and lack of ball security underscore the need for depth. Skattebo’s bruising style and pass-catching chops could make him an ideal complement, especially in McVay’s outside zone scheme. His Peach Bowl heroics against Texas (143 rushing yards, 99 receiving yards, and a trick-play TD pass) scream “Rams-type player”—gritty, multi-faceted, and fearless.
Upside: At 5’11” and 215 pounds, Skattebo brings a physicality reminiscent of Todd Gurley in his prime. His ability to break tackles (102 missed tackles forced in 2024) and contribute as a receiver could diversify an offense that leaned heavily on Williams and Nacua in 2024. If the fumbles are coachable, he’s a Day 2 steal.
Risk: Ball security isn’t just a stat—it’s a mindset. The Rams can’t afford turnovers in tight NFC West battles, and Skattebo’s lapses could land him in McVay’s doghouse. In a deep RB class featuring Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles might find safer options.
Verdict: If the Rams grab Skattebo in the third round, he’s a low-risk, high-reward addition. His motor and versatility outweigh the fumble concerns for a team that values playmakers.
Tetairoa McMillan (WR, Arizona): The Contested-Catch Conundrum
SB Nation’s Take: McMillan’s contested-catch prowess (27 of 39 completions in 2024) evokes Mike Evans comparisons, but his drops on “easier” routes signal inconsistency. At 6’4” and 219 pounds, he’s a red-zone dream, but the boom-or-bust label looms.
Rams Fit: With the wide receiver room needing a boost after losing Cooper Kupp to the Seahawks, and the signing of Devante Adams to a two-year deal (with a one-year opt-out), the Rams need a long-term weapon. McMillan’s size and downfield speed could stretch defenses, giving Stafford a go-to target. McVay’s creativity—think Nacua’s jet sweeps—could mask McMillan’s route-running flaws’Avia’s flaws early on.
Upside: Imagine McMillan snagging fades in the end zone while Nacua works the slot. His physicality would punish smaller NFC West corners, and his 10.8 yards per contested catch suggests he thrives when it matters. If he refines his hands, he’s a Pro Bowl-caliber WR1.
Risk: Those drops on routine plays could haunt a Rams offense that relies on precision. McVay’s system demands reliability, and McMillan’s lapses might disrupt the rhythm. If he’s there at No. 20, is he worth the gamble over a surer thing like Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka?
Verdict: McMillan’s ceiling tempts, but the Rams might prefer a polished receiver unless he falls to Day 2. His fit hinges on coaching patience—something McVay has in spades when the talent’s there.
Will Campbell (OT, LSU): The Leakage Liability
SB Nation’s Take: Campbell’s stellar collegiate resume (just four sacks allowed in 1,594 pass-blocking snaps) is overshadowed by “leakage” issues—speed rushers and inside counters occasionally breach his edges. Some see him as a guard, not a tackle, in the pros.
Rams Fit: The Rams’ offensive line has been a revolving door since Andrew Whitworth’s 2022 retirement. Rob Havenstein’s solid but aging right tackle, and left tackle Alaric Jackson’s inconsistency has Stafford taking too many hits. Campbell’s plug-and-play potential could stabilize the unit, whether at tackle or guard.
Upside: A three-year starter at LSU, Campbell’s experience and hand strength scream “NFL-ready.” If he sticks at tackle, he’s a decade-long anchor; if he kicks inside, he’s an upgrade over Steve Avila at guard. McVay’s zone-blocking scheme thrives with athletic linemen, and Campbell’s footwork fits the bill.
Risk: That “leakage to either side” could be exposed by NFC West edge rushers like Nick Bosa and Kayvon Thibodeaux. The Rams need a lockdown tackle more than a versatile lineman, and Campbell’s positional uncertainty might push him down their board. A first-round grade feels rich if he’s not a surefire bookend.
Verdict: If Campbell’s available at No. 26 and the Rams trust their O-line coach to fix his flaws, he’s a smart pick. Otherwise, they might target Missouri’s Armand Membou or wait for Day 2 depth.
The Rams’ Draft Blueprint: Risk vs. Reward
The 2025 draft offers the Rams a chance to reload without abandoning their aggressive identity. Shedeur Sanders could be the splashy trade-up target, but his cost and pocket habits might deter Snead. Cam Skattebo’s versatility fits McVay’s mold perfectly, offering a low-stakes complement to Williams. Tetairoa McMillan’s size tempts as a new offensive weapon, though his drops raise eyebrows. Will Campbell, meanwhile, could solidify the line—if his “leakage” doesn’t leak into the NFL.
Given their roster and philosophy, the Rams might lean toward Skattebo or Campbell in the mid-rounds. The Rams may very well trade down and add additional draft capital into the second or third round. McVay’s track record suggests he’ll find gold in one of these “bust-potential” prospects—after all, who bet on Nacua becoming a star? As April 24-26 approaches in Green Bay, expect Los Angeles to zig when others zag, turning risk into reward once more.
What do you think, Rams fans? Would you roll the dice on one of these prospects, or should Snead play it safe? Drop your thoughts on The Rams Forum
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