Latest news with #ChrisPaulJr
USA Today
29-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 NFL Draft: Rams' Day 3 pick named one of the biggest steals
2025 NFL Draft: Rams' Day 3 pick named one of the biggest steals The hype around the Los Angeles Rams' 2025 NFL Draft class ebbs and flows depending on which way you look at it. While some stats show that this group isn't as athletic or exciting as other teams', there are some metrics that show the Rams' drafted a highly productive group that can contribute early. However, the key to it all is where these players were drafted and if the Rams' reached or got great value with their selections. The Rams traded up a few times to draft their players, though, meaning they saw something other teams didn't when it came to value. One of those players was Ole Miss linebacker Chris Paul Jr. The Rams took him with the No. 172 pick of the fifth round after trading up 29 spots. Paul should see snaps at inside linebacker at some point in the 2025 season, and Pro Football Focus named him one of the biggest steals of Day 3: "Paul was the No. 83 prospect on the PFF Big Board, making this a great value pick for the Rams. He put together a well-rounded season for Ole Miss, finishing with an 84.6 PFF run-defense grade and an 84.0 pass-rush grade." With only Omar Speights, Nate Landman and Troy Reeder ahead of him on the depth chart, Paul could rise quickly as a contributor in Chris Shula's defense. He's great in coverage, run support and even at attacking the quarterback. Like the Rams' recent run of draft picks, Paul is another late-round sleeper who could pay dividends early in his career.
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Rams trade up again, finally address LB hole with Ole Miss' Chris Paul Jr.
Rams trade up again, finally address LB hole with Ole Miss' Chris Paul Jr. Les Snead has been busy on Day 3 of the NFL draft. For the third time of the day, the Los Angeles Rams traded up. They moved up from No. 201 to 172, giving the Vikings the 202nd overall pick in the trade. At No. 172, the Rams selected Ole Miss linebacker Chris Paul Jr. They finally addressed the glaring hole at linebacker by taking the Rebel defender, fortifying a position that badly needed some help. Paul is a versatile linebacker who can cover and make plays from sideline to sideline, using his 4.63 speed to cover a lot of ground in the middle of the field. Paul, who's 6-1 and 222 pounds, was a third-team AP All-American last year and second-team All-SEC selection thanks to his 88 tackles, 3.5 sacks and one interception. He was also a finalist for the Butkus Award, which goes to the nation's top linebacker. Lance Zierlein projected him to be picked in the fourth or fifth round, pegging him as an "assignment-oriented linebacker whose play recognition improved as the season progressed."
