When it comes to the Los Angeles Rams targeting a top rookie, a familiar NFC West rival often seems to beat them to the punch. The Seattle Seahawks, in particular, have a knack for swooping in and picking a player the Rams are eyeing—delivering a double blow by both improving their own roster and denying the Rams a key addition. Of course, this tactic only pays off if the chosen player produces results on the field.
In the 2021 NFL Draft, the Rams had their sights set on Western Michigan wide receiver D’Wayne Eskridge. But before they could act, the Seahawks snagged him with the 56th overall pick. The Rams pivoted and chose Louisville receiver Tutu Atwell instead.
In hindsight, that twist of fate worked in the Rams’ favor. Eskridge has managed just 20 receptions for 166 yards and one touchdown across four seasons. Atwell, by contrast, has caught 99 passes for 1,343 yards and four touchdowns—clearly making a larger impact offensively.
Fast forward to the 2024 NFL Draft: while the Rams initially attempted to trade up for Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, they also pursued Texas defensive tackle Byron Murphy II. Again, Seattle got there first, selecting Murphy 16th overall. The Rams, unable to move up, stayed put and selected Florida State edge rusher Jared Verse at No. 19.
Later, they added Verse’s college teammate, defensive tackle Braden Fiske, with the 39th overall pick—addressing the DT position they missed out on with Murphy.
How did those picks compare? Let’s look at rookie-year production:
-
Byron Murphy II: 38 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 QB hit, 0.5 sacks
-
Jared Verse: 66 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 18 QB hits, 4.5 sacks, Defensive Rookie of the Year (DROY)
-
Braden Fiske: 44 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 10 QB hits, 8.5 sacks, DROY-3 finalist
Though it’s based on just one season, the numbers heavily favor the Rams. Not only did they get more on-field value, but they did so with players taken after Murphy—meaning better production at a lower cost.
Can the Seahawks save the Rams from themselves in 2025?
The Los Angeles Rams are eyeing a rookie quarterback, and recent signs point to Alabama’s Jalen Milroe being a serious contender. The team has met with several quarterback prospects ahead of the draft—but Milroe is the only one they’ve met with multiple times.
That could suggest Milroe is high on their board for the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. However, landing him will depend on whether he slips past the Seattle Seahawks at pick No. 18. And wouldn’t you know it—the Seahawks are also showing late interest in Milroe, just ahead of the draft.
Some potential NFC West QB intrigue: Alabama QB Jalen Milroe is in Seattle today to visit with the Seahawks and will meet later this week with the Rams, per sources. pic.twitter.com/K417MypKF7
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 15, 2025
Could Seattle once again foil the Rams’ draft-day hopes? There’s precedent—Seattle has disrupted L.A.’s draft plans before, and they could easily do it again by selecting Milroe first, forcing the Rams to shift gears.
While some fans remain skeptical about Milroe’s pro potential, more draft analysts are warming up to him.
Personally, I’m not sold on the idea of the Rams spending a first-round pick on a quarterback, especially with Matthew Stafford now on year-to-year contracts. Still, the logic is understandable—as long as the Rams are serious about developing a young QB. Historically, though, the team has leaned heavily on veterans and often limited the chances for rookies to make an impact.
https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1912642224279695436?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1912642224279695436%7Ctwgr%5Eb4e07dd0d02f2a2d6c88d74a4c8b620237245dcd%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Framblinfan.com%2Fseahawks-could-shake-up-2025-nfl-draft-and-save-rams-from-suspect-strategy-01jrzve419y5
Just look at how little opportunity WR Tutu Atwell, RB Blake Corum, and WR Jordan Whittington had in their rookie seasons. If they were limited, imagine how tightly a rookie quarterback might be kept under wraps.
Interestingly, the Seahawks don’t seem like an obvious suitor for a rookie QB. They’ve already gotten younger by moving from Geno Smith to Sam Darnold, and they have Sam Howell, Drew Lock, and Jaren Hall on the depth chart. So their late interest in Milroe feels a bit curious.
At the end of the day, both the Rams and Seahawks are just doing their due diligence—meeting with Milroe doesn’t guarantee either team will draft him in Round 1. Still, the draft is unpredictable, and where there’s smoke, there’s often fire. If Seattle ends up taking Milroe just to throw a wrench in L.A.’s plans? Well, it wouldn’t be the first time.
Oddly enough, those moments have sometimes worked out well for the Rams in the long run. Thanks for reading.
Be the first to comment