Rams head coach Sean McVay said it after Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft: "The tape speaks to you." And with good tape often comes high-end production.

The average Next Gen Stats production score for Rams draft picks was the ninth-highest in the NFL (only counting the first seven or fewer picks for each team). It was the highest among teams whose average draft selection with those picks was 120 or more.

That production wasn't arbitrary – it was often geared toward specific areas of need for a Rams team that is knocking on the door of a Super Bowl. Here's a breakdown of every pick and their proven skill sets that could add immediate value to the Rams' roster.

TE Terrance Ferguson, Oregon

Ferguson's reception and yards numbers increased in all four of his collegiate seasons. But his 9.0 yards after catch per reception last season, which led the FBS among qualified tight ends, is what stood out.

Athleticism and a proclivity for the slot, where Ferguson took 42% of his pass snaps last season, adds the potential for versatility. McVay has stated that as a goal for a Rams offense that has increased its usage of 12 personnel (two tight ends) in recent years. There were tight ends available that were higher on the consensus draft boards created by media, but Ferguson provides a specific skill set that can uniquely serve the Rams' offensive objectives in 2025.

"It allows us to be able to explore maybe doing some different things," McVay said.

OLB Josaiah Stewart, Michigan

Stewart has second percentile height, 13th percentile weight and a 30th percentile wingspan, according to mockdraftable, which measures against draft prospects at the same position since 1999. But he can flat-out play.

Stewart had the highest pass rush win rate (27.7%) among qualified edge rushers last season by a wide margin, which led to team-leading sack (8.5) and tackle for loss (13) numbers. That production and the intangibles that led to it were clearly more important to Los Angeles than his measurements. L.A. also lost outside linebacker Michael Hoecht in free agency, so adding depth at the position was certainly a priority.

Less-than-ideal size has never stopped Los Angeles from drafting and developing defensive linemen into elite players, evidenced by Braden Fiske and Aaron Donald.

"Short, speed and bend based outside rusher with short arms who routinely gets the job done in his niche role," wrote CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso, who gave the pick an "A" grade. "Quality hand work and his burst is impressive enough to threaten NFL OTs on a reasonably routine basis."

RB Jarquez Hunter, Auburn

Hunter's physical measurements may not have jumped off the page, but his stats certainly did. In fact, his small and compact frame (5-foot-9, 204 pounds) actually helped him keep his legs churning through contact and burst through small holes with blazing speed.

The Rams' 37 explosive rushes (10-plus yards) last season ranked 29th in the NFL. Meanwhile, Hunter had 42 such runs on his own last season (eighth in the FBS), and his career-long explosive run rate of 18.9% ranked second in this draft class.

"He's got the ability to go through you or to be able to run away from you," McVay said.

DT Ty Hamilton, Ohio State

After losing both Bobby Brown III and Neville Gallimore in free agency, the Rams needed to reinforce the nose tackle (NT) position. Hamilton does just that as a stout run stopper, despite all his size percentiles falling between 21st and 36th. Free agent signing Poona Ford will likely fill the starting role, but Hamilton is a nice rotational piece who fits the Rams' scheme.

Trapasso described him as a "NT type who can get across the line of scrimmage thanks to quality athleticism for his size."

ILB Chris "Pooh" Paul Jr., Ole Miss

The Rams haven't drafted an inside linebacker as high as Paul (172nd) since Ernest Jones IV in 2021. He's another player who fell due to underwhelming measurables, but his production score of 72 was the sixth-best at his position, and his tackling statistics were even more impressive. Los Angeles needed more competition among run stoppers in the middle of the defense, having lost Christian Rozeboom in free agency, and they got that in Paul.

"If Paul were an inch taller with long arms, he'd have been off the board much earlier than this," Trapasso wrote. "... Tackling reliability and zone-coverage awareness are spectacular. Even flashed in man coverage. Smart, cerebral player without big-time workout on his resume. Can eat behind this Rams defensive front."

WR Konata Mumpfield, Pittsburgh

At 5-foot-11, 186 pounds, Mumpfield is another undersized player who excelled in specific areas at Pittsburgh. He may be small, but Mumpfield is not afraid to take hits over the middle. He finished the 2024 season with the second-most intermediate receiving yards in the ACC (363) and 25th-most in the FBS.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford's 107 attempts to the intermediate area ranked 12th in the 2024 regular season.