NFL analyst Bucky Brooks breaks down Rams' 2025 draft class

USA Today

05-05-2025

NFL analyst Bucky Brooks breaks down Rams' 2025 draft class
By most accounts, the Los Angeles Rams had a solid draft class.
The team added important depth pieces at shallow positions, some of whom could turn into Week 1 contributors and/or long-term starters. But before they hit the field, pundits will offer their thoughts on the class.
That's exactly what NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks on Ricky's Ram Jam. Brooks broke down the Rams' class with his own analysis of the team's most important picks.
Here's what he said:
TE Terrance Ferguson
Brooks noted two elements of the Ferguson pick: That he is of similar build and skillset as the Rams' current crop of tight ends and that the Rams needed to have a solid group of players at that position to help push their offense.
Brooks added that Ferguson is a fun mix of Tyler Higbee, Colby Parkinson and Davis Allen but moreso fits into the Higbee mold as a tight end who can do more in space.
'He kind of has a mix of all of those traits of all the guys you have," Brooks said. "Whatever their superpowers are, he kind of blend.'
The idea of having as many big-bodied tight ends is a huge benefit, too, as Brooks believes teams "would like to have a deep and talent stable of tight ends so you can dictate to the defense as opposed to the defense dictate to the offense.' The Rams have also hinted at using more two tight end offensive sets now that Ferguson is in tow.
RB Jarquez Hunter
Hunter was a curious pick for L.A. given the presence of Kyren Williams and Blake Corum. However, Brooks said the addition of Hunter is all about being able to hit a weakened defense with an explosive play-maker.
'When those two guys wear down the defense, you pop [Hunter] in," Brooks said, "and now he's a fast guy looking for explosive plays and he could be going against a fatigued defense.'
That could be a crucial addition to the Rams' offense in 2025, as Hunter provides a different level of speed off the bench.
LB Chris Paul Jr.
Paul is perhaps the most lauded of the Rams' pick, both because of when he was taken in the fifth round and because of how he fits in the current linebacker room. Brooks agreed, and added that Paul does everything the Rams look for in linebackers.
'He is a 'see ball, get ball defender,'" Brooks said. 'I just think about the success that the Rams have had with their linebackers. Like, kind of unheralded players but they all kind of have similar traits: active, great instincts, great athleticism and the awarness to kind of slither thorugh the cracks and make plays. Chris Paul does that.
"He'll make his immediate mark as a special teamer. but by the end of the year he'll have a chance to crack the rotation and make some plays.'
Brooks gave the Rams a "conditional B+" because the team also added a 2026 first-round pick in the Falcons trade, which could become a huge part of the franchise if used a certain way.