Although the 2025 regular-season schedule isn’t out yet, the Los Angeles Rams know which 14 teams they’re going to face next season. With the first round of the NFL draft in the books, they also know which of the top rookies they will see on the schedule.
Thanks to the Jaguars‘ trade up to No. 2 overall, the Rams will face the top two players in the draft: Cam Ward and Travis Hunter. Here’s a complete list of which other first-round rookies they will go up against next season.
Titans: QB Cam Ward, Miami (No. 1 overall)
Assuming he’s the starter, the Rams will face the No. 1 pick, Cam Ward. The Titans stood pat at the top of the draft despite receiving offers for the pick, committing to Ward as their franchise quarterback. He was an electric playmaker at Miami last season so he’s going to bring some flair to the Titans offense.
Jaguars: WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado (No. 2 overall)
James Gladstone and the Jaguars took a big swing by trading up from No. 5 to 2 in order to land Hunter. He was widely viewed as the best player in the draft, bringing a rare skill set to the table as a two-way weapon who can line up at cornerback or wide receiver. The Rams will get an up-close look at Hunter whenever they visit the Jaguars in 2025.
Panthers: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona (No. 8 overall)
The Panthers surprised a lot of people by taking McMillan with the eighth pick. He was the first true wide receiver off the board (besides Hunter) and gives Bryce Young a big-body receiver on the outside to target.
Saints: OL Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas (No. 9 overall)
Banks solidifies the Saints’ offensive line as one of the best tackles in the class. He was banged up in 2024 but still ranked as a premier offensive lineman who can play either tackle spot for New Orleans.
49ers: EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia (No. 11 overall)
The rival 49ers bolstered their pass rush by taking Williams over Jalon Walker and other edge rushers. He was a five-star recruit out of high school and was outstanding for Georgia in the last three years. He’ll be someone for the Rams to deal with opposite Nick Bosa.
Colts: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State (No. 14 overall)
The Rams were likely targeting Warren in the first round but he didn’t fall far enough for them to make a move. Instead, they’ll face him in 2025 when the Rams host the Colts at SoFi Stadium. He’s a matchup nightmare with his size and athleticism, reminding some folks of Rob Gronkowski. The Rams will have their hands full with him in their matchup with Indianapolis.
Falcons: EDGE Jalon Walker, Georgia (No. 15 overall)
Walker is a versatile defender who can play off the ball as a linebacker or rush the passer off the edge. Former Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris ends Walker’s slide down the board and gives his defense a playmaker up front.
Cardinals: DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss (No. 16 overall)
Nolen was the second defensive tackle off the board after Mason Graham, going to Arizona in the middle of the first round. The Cardinals needed some juice up front and Nolen can bring that to the table, disrupting things on the interior as a pass rusher. Oh, and he calls himself “the next Aaron Donald.”
Seahawks: OL Grey Zabel, North Dakota State (No. 18 overall)
After considering a trade down the board, the Seahawks wound up staying at No. 18 and selected Zabel, one of the best interior linemen in this class. He’s a versatile player who can play guard or center, so he’ll have an immediate impact on a Seattle offense that now features Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp.
Buccaneers: WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State (No. 19 overall)
Egbuka was the second wide receiver off the board, excluding Travis Hunter. The Buccaneers get their slot guy, pairing him with Chris Godwin and Mike Evans for quarterback Baker Mayfield. That trio is going to be a nightmare to defend for the next few years. Egbuka is a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands.
Texans: N/A
The Texans traded the 25th pick to the Giants, moving out of the first round altogether. The Giants took Jaxson Dart at No. 25, one pick before the Rams.
Ravens: S Malaki Starks, Georgia (No. 27 overall)
The Ravens love their safeties and they got a good one with Starks. He’s a versatile defender who can cover the slot, line up deep or play in the box, helping out in a variety of ways. He and Kyle Hamilton are a scary tandem on the back end.
Lions: DT Tyliek Williams, Ohio State (No. 28 overall)
Williams is a run stuffer for the middle of the Lions defensive line, which will help them plug holes against some of the game’s better running backs. Detroit’s defense made major strides last season and it’ll be even better with Williams coming aboard.
Eagles: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama (No. 31 overall)
The Eagles traded up one spot for Campbell, landing the top linebacker in the draft. There were concerns about his shoulder, which caused him to fall in the first round, but when healthy, he’s a game-changer in the middle of the field.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 2025 NFL Draft: Rams will face these 1st-round rookies next season
Although the 2025 regular-season schedule isn’t out yet, the Los Angeles Rams know which 14 teams they’re going to face next season. With the first round of the NFL draft in the books, they also know which of the top rookies they will see on the schedule.
Thanks to the Jaguars‘ trade up to No. 2 overall, the Rams will face the top two players in the draft: Cam Ward and Travis Hunter. Here’s a complete list of which other first-round rookies they will go up against next season.
Titans: QB Cam Ward, Miami (No. 1 overall)
Assuming he’s the starter, the Rams will face the No. 1 pick, Cam Ward. The Titans stood pat at the top of the draft despite receiving offers for the pick, committing to Ward as their franchise quarterback. He was an electric playmaker at Miami last season so he’s going to bring some flair to the Titans offense.
Jaguars: WR/CB Travis Hunter, Colorado (No. 2 overall)
James Gladstone and the Jaguars took a big swing by trading up from No. 5 to 2 in order to land Hunter. He was widely viewed as the best player in the draft, bringing a rare skill set to the table as a two-way weapon who can line up at cornerback or wide receiver. The Rams will get an up-close look at Hunter whenever they visit the Jaguars in 2025.
Panthers: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona (No. 8 overall)
The Panthers surprised a lot of people by taking McMillan with the eighth pick. He was the first true wide receiver off the board (besides Hunter) and gives Bryce Young a big-body receiver on the outside to target.
Saints: OL Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas (No. 9 overall)
Banks solidifies the Saints’ offensive line as one of the best tackles in the class. He was banged up in 2024 but still ranked as a premier offensive lineman who can play either tackle spot for New Orleans.
49ers: EDGE Mykel Williams, Georgia (No. 11 overall)
The rival 49ers bolstered their pass rush by taking Williams over Jalon Walker and other edge rushers. He was a five-star recruit out of high school and was outstanding for Georgia in the last three years. He’ll be someone for the Rams to deal with opposite Nick Bosa.
Colts: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State (No. 14 overall)
The Rams were likely targeting Warren in the first round but he didn’t fall far enough for them to make a move. Instead, they’ll face him in 2025 when the Rams host the Colts at SoFi Stadium. He’s a matchup nightmare with his size and athleticism, reminding some folks of Rob Gronkowski. The Rams will have their hands full with him in their matchup with Indianapolis.
Falcons: EDGE Jalon Walker, Georgia (No. 15 overall)
Walker is a versatile defender who can play off the ball as a linebacker or rush the passer off the edge. Former Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris ends Walker’s slide down the board and gives his defense a playmaker up front.
Cardinals: DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss (No. 16 overall)
Nolen was the second defensive tackle off the board after Mason Graham, going to Arizona in the middle of the first round. The Cardinals needed some juice up front and Nolen can bring that to the table, disrupting things on the interior as a pass rusher. Oh, and he calls himself “the next Aaron Donald.”
Seahawks: OL Grey Zabel, North Dakota State (No. 18 overall)
After considering a trade down the board, the Seahawks wound up staying at No. 18 and selected Zabel, one of the best interior linemen in this class. He’s a versatile player who can play guard or center, so he’ll have an immediate impact on a Seattle offense that now features Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp.
Buccaneers: WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State (No. 19 overall)
Egbuka was the second wide receiver off the board, excluding Travis Hunter. The Buccaneers get their slot guy, pairing him with Chris Godwin and Mike Evans for quarterback Baker Mayfield. That trio is going to be a nightmare to defend for the next few years. Egbuka is a dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands.
Texans: N/A
The Texans traded the 25th pick to the Giants, moving out of the first round altogether. The Giants took Jaxson Dart at No. 25, one pick before the Rams.
Ravens: S Malaki Starks, Georgia (No. 27 overall)
The Ravens love their safeties and they got a good one with Starks. He’s a versatile defender who can cover the slot, line up deep or play in the box, helping out in a variety of ways. He and Kyle Hamilton are a scary tandem on the back end.
Lions: DT Tyliek Williams, Ohio State (No. 28 overall)
Williams is a run stuffer for the middle of the Lions defensive line, which will help them plug holes against some of the game’s better running backs. Detroit’s defense made major strides last season and it’ll be even better with Williams coming aboard.
Eagles: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama (No. 31 overall)
The Eagles traded up one spot for Campbell, landing the top linebacker in the draft. There were concerns about his shoulder, which caused him to fall in the first round, but when healthy, he’s a game-changer in the middle of the field.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: 2025 NFL Draft: Rams will face these 1st-round rookies next season
