Latest news with #WillieLampkin
NBC Sports
7 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Rams' undersized, undrafted rookie center Willie Lampkin raising eyebrows in preseason
Willie Lampkin was a starting guard for five years of college football, and at North Carolina last season he was a first-team All-American and won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the best offensive lineman in the ACC. With that kind of résumé, you'd think he would have been a top draft prospect. One problem: At North Carolina's Pro Day, Lampkin measured at just under 5-foot-11, and he weighed 279 pounds. NFL teams don't want offensive linemen who are that small. Lampkin went undrafted. But Lampkin signed as an undrafted free agent with the Rams, has worked primarily at center, and in the Rams' preseason debut he put on a show: Undrafted rookie offensive linemen aren't often the subject of highlight videos, but the NFL's official Reddit account posted a video showing Lampkin making four pancake blocks in the Rams' preseason opener against the Cowboys. That's getting Lampkin noticed, and Rams head coach Sean McVay said after the preseason game that Lampkin stood out not just on social media, but to the Rams' coaching staff. 'I thought he did a nice job,' McVay said of Lampkin. 'Obviously, he has great leverage, can get underneath people and be able to finish. That was what you loved about him at North Carolina, but just a competitor. He's tough, he's physical. He understands how to play to his strengths. I think he's done a really good job, I thought a lot of guys did a nice job, but I was pleased with Willie.' The odds are stacked against any undrafted rookie, and especially one who's as undersized as Lampkin. But at some point, a player's performance on the field has to matter more than his height and weight. If Lampkin keeps playing this way in the preseason, he's going to force his way onto the roster.
USA Today
11-08-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Willie Lampkin looks like an undrafted gem for the Rams after just one preseason game
Lampkin was dominant in his NFL debut, showing that he can make it as a pro despite being 5-10 and 270 pounds NFL offensive linemen don't look like Willie Lampkin. While there's no record of the smallest lineman in league history, Lampkin might take that title if he makes the Los Angeles Rams' 53-man roster. At the Senior Bowl, he measured in at 5-foot-10 3/8 and 270 pounds. No other lineman at the Senior Bowl was shorter than 6-foot-3 or lighter than 307 pounds. He wasn't invited to the NFL combine, but he would've been the shortest lineman there by 5 inches and the lightest by 29 pounds. Players with his frame are rare in college and they're almost non-existent in the NFL, but he's out to prove size doesn't matter. It took him just one preseason game to make a name for himself as a potential undrafted gem for the Rams. He was dominant against the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday, earning a PFF grade of 94.1. That was the second-highest among all NFL linemen who played at least 20 snaps in Week 1 of the preseason. His run-blocking grade was outstanding, coming in at 92.2 – fourth-highest among all linemen. Lampkin didn't get many opportunities in pass protection, only seeing nine snaps on passing plays, but he didn't allow a single pressure and earned a respectable 78.6 grade. His film was excellent, too. While he's obviously on the smaller side, it doesn't show when he's blocking bigger defensive linemen. He's powerful enough to move them aside and create running lanes, while also having a strong enough base to not get walked back in pass protection. Just look at the work he did as a run blocker on these plays shared by Brandon Thorn, an offensive line expert. Lampkin put Cowboys defenders on their backs, opening up big holes for his running backs. There weren't any real concerns about Lampkins ability to sustain blocks and protect the quarterback in college. In five years at the FBS level, he allowed just three total sacks, none in his last two years when he was at North Carolina. If he were 6-foot-2 and 320 pounds, he'd likely have been a first- or second-round pick. But at 5-11 and 270 pounds, teams were scared off. Size is what caused him to fall all the way out of the draft and go undrafted, which allowed the Rams to sign him to a rookie deal. Sean McVay loved what he saw from the first-year center in his preseason debut, noting his natural leverage as a smaller center. 'I thought he did a nice job,' McVay said. 'Obviously, he has great leverage, can get underneath people and be able to finish. That was what you loved about him at North Carolina. but just a competitor. He's tough, he's physical. He understands how to be able to play to his strengths and I think he's done a really good job and I thought a lot of those guys did a nice job, but I was pleased with Willie.' Lampkin passed the test at the Senior Bowl where he was one of the best linemen in Mobile. He seemed to perform well in training camp, and in his preseason debut, he passed another test against NFL competition. Now, the question is whether he'll earn a spot on the Rams' 53-man roster. Beaux Limmer is a lock to make the team as a backup center and guard, and Justin Dedich seems to be trending that way, too. But there's room for Lampkin. And even if the Rams don't feel that way right now, they need to make room for him. Russell Wilson silenced doubters who called him too small to play quarterback in the NFL, and Lampkin could do the same as an undersized center. He has the power and anchor to win against NFL-size defensive linemen, even if it was only against backups in the preseason opener. Hopefully he'll get a chance to block some starters against the Chargers and Browns in the coming weeks, which will be the final test on his way to a roster spot. Check that box and he'll likely have a future in the NFL.
USA Today
08-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Rams UDFA Willie Lampkin wasn't concerned with his size ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft
Rams UDFA Willie Lampkin wasn't concerned with his size ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft The Los Angeles Rams signed one of the most intriguing undrafted free agents in North Carolina offensive guard Willie Lampkin Jr. this offseason. While the experienced lineman had great tape during his college career, Lampkin was one of the smallest players at his position at 5-foot-10 and 270 pounds of the at Senior Bowl. But before he had to wait until after every name was called on draft day, Lampkin told The Draft Network's Justin Melo that his size has never mattered in his performance on the field. "The Senior Bowl proved I'm capable of blocking those bigger-bodied defensive linemen," Lampkin said a month before the draft. "I proved I have a strong anchor. I know that's a big question a lot of teams and scouts had about me because of my size, especially with me weighing 270. I know they were scared for me. They thought I was really light. Can he anchor against guys who weigh 340, 350 pounds? I proved I could. I definitely feel like I answered that question for them." Lampkin has highly regarded before and after the draft for his interior blocking skills, and he attributed his success to his experience as a wrestler. "My wrestling background helps a ton," Lampkin said. "I play with great hand placement and terrific leverage. I have great feet and a dog mentality as well. I have a well-rounded skill set." Lampkin is a longshot to make the roster but has a chance if the Rams believe he'd be a good depth piece for the offensive line. There isn't much stable competition ahead of him at guard at the moment, so there could be an opportunity if Lampkin shows up in camps this summer.
USA Today
04-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL analyst thinks this Rams UDFA could make the 53-man roster
NFL analyst thinks this Rams UDFA could make the 53-man roster The Los Angeles Rams have had a lot of success in the undrafted free agent market in recent years between starting tackle Alaric Jackson and impending starting inside linebacker Omar Speights. L.A. signed 17 more UDFAs this offseason, and history has shown that one of them could earn a 53-man roster spot. Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski writes that North Carolina interior offensive lineman Willie Lampkin has the best chance to be that man for the Rams. "North Carolina's Willie Lampkin is simply too good of a football player not to make the Los Angeles Rams' roster," Sobleski writes. "Lampkin easily produced some of the best tape seen from any prospect this past season. At 5'10" and 280 pounds, he's a severe outlier. Still, his size deficiencies weren't as issue at the Senior Bowl when facing other all-star-caliber NFL prospects. If anything, Lampkin came out of that event looking even more impressive. "Now, the question is whether Lampkin can play anything other than center at the highest level. Honestly, the evaluation process had pegged him as pivot because of his size despite starting 35 collegiate games between the two guard sports. "Watch the undrafted free agent continue to impress and find a way to become the Rams' primary swing interior blocker." This isn't the first time Lampkin earned praise this offseason. Two other analysts think Lampkin is a great fit for the Rams. He had great tape at North Carolina and looked good at the Senior Bowl. The issue, as Sobleski wrote, is Lampkin's size. He's under 6-feet and 300 pounds — both unideal measurements for an interior offensive lineman. While Lampkin isn't expected to earn a starting role anytime soon, he could develop into a nice backup lineman for the Rams in the future ... if he makes the roster.
USA Today
05-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Chiefs scouting report: North Carolina Tar Heels C Willie Lampkin
Chiefs scouting report: North Carolina Tar Heels C Willie Lampkin Every Willie Lampkin 1-on-1 from the Senior Bowl — James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) January 30, 2025 The Kansas City Chiefs suffered setbacks along their offensive line in 2024 and made several moves this offseason to remake the position group. The team still needs to invest one or more selections in offensive linemen in the 2025 NFL draft. North Carolina Tar Heels guard Willie Lampkin's trophy shelf includes a freshman All-American selection from 2020 and five all-conference selections, including first team bids in the Sun Belt and ACC. He's one of the most decorated guards in recent history but faces an uphill battle to play a significant role in the NFL. Lampkin enters the draft with significant starting experience at left guard, right guard and center. He amassed more than 4,100 offensive snaps throughout his college career, and that experience translates to polished technique and quick processing. Unfortunately, Lampkin is only 5'10 3/8", 270 lbs. That makes him one of the rarest historical outliers to enter the draft in modern history. Lampkin slightly redeems his frame with 32" arms, but his lack of size and mass cause some significant problems. He needs to throw his full weight into blocks to cause displacement, but defenders take advantage of his forward momentum and slip past him. Lampkin plays with natural leverage and a wide base that he resets to gradually weaken and halt bull rushes. He plays with an aggressive, mauling mentality that sets the tone for the offensive line. His background as a former Florida Class 7A state championship wrestler shows up in how he grapples with and pancakes defensive linemen. Lampkin attacks with excellent strike timing and strong hands that latch onto the defender and take control of the play. He uses advanced independent hand usage that makes defensive linemen look foolish. His lateral agility and foot speed help him mirror defenders and maintain the pocket. Lampkin uncoils from his stance and drives power through his hips in the run game. His powerful leg drive generates movement against much larger players. He moves with the agility and fluidity to operate in a gap or wide zone scheme. Lampkin picks off linebackers at the second level and mirrors defenders in space. Lampkin breaks all of the NFL's size thresholds. The league didn't draft UCLA edge rusher Gabriel Murphy last year because of his arm length despite him checking other thresholds. It seems unlikely that decision-makers will look favorably at Lampkin either. At best, he's a late Day 3 pick who will play fullback and see action in some scenario-specific packages.
