logo
NFL analyst says Rams' UDFA was one of the best at his position in the 2025 NFL Draft

NFL analyst says Rams' UDFA was one of the best at his position in the 2025 NFL Draft

Yahoo02-05-2025
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein couldn't believe what he was saying when he watched tape North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton on a recent flight ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.
While watching the soon-to-be first-round pick by the Los Angeles Chargers, Zierlein said he kept seeing standout plays from UNC's right guard, Willie Lampkin. Despite his smaller frame (6-1, 285 pounds), Lampkin was consistently holding his blocks and opening running lanes for Hampton.
Advertisement
'He's the best guard tape that I've seen so far... and that's not hyperbole," Zierlein said on Check the Mic with Steve Palazzolo & Sam Monson. "Had he been 6-foot-4, or even 6-3-and-a half probably, 312 pounds, he's probably a first-round pick.'
Instead, the Rams signed Lampkin and 16 undrafted free agents after the 2025 NFL Draft. And if Zierlein is to be believed, Lampkin could be another steal for the Rams.
Lampkin was a consistent starter all throughout college. He played in 61 collegiate games (38 at Coastal Carolina and 23 at UNC) and, as Zierlein noted, a great run-blocker for Hampton.
Advertisement
The Rams have had a lot of success with UDFAs in recent years, too. Left tackle Alaric Jackson, who just signed a huge extension, went undrafted. Starting inside linebacker Omar Speights wasn't draft either.
Lampkin has some competition to make the team. While he wouldn't supplant Kevin Dotson anytime soon, he'll need to beat out KT Leveston and fellow UDFA Ben Dooley. Zierlein has a lot of faith in him, though.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL analyst says Rams' 2025 UDFA was one of the best at his position
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Chiefs' Rashee Rice says he has 'completely changed' after causing dangerous crash on Dallas highway
Chiefs' Rashee Rice says he has 'completely changed' after causing dangerous crash on Dallas highway

Yahoo

time5 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Chiefs' Rashee Rice says he has 'completely changed' after causing dangerous crash on Dallas highway

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice has 'completely changed' after causing a chain-reaction crash last year on a Dallas highway that left multiple people injured, cost him more than $1 million in a settlement to victims, and resulted in a 30-day jail sentence that he will have to fulfill at some point in the future. Rice spoke Saturday for the first time in training camp, and the first time since the 25-year-old playmaker tore a ligament in his right knee in Week 4 — an injury that wound up requiring season-ending surgery. 'I've completely changed. You have to learn from things like that,' Rice said of the March 2024 accident, when prosecutors said he was driving nearly 120 mph on the North Central Expressway and made 'multiple aggressive maneuvers' before striking the other vehicles. 'I've learned," Rice continued, "and taken advantage of being able to learn from something like that.' Rice pleaded guilty in July to two third-degree felony charges of collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway causing bodily injury. As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors said, Rice was sentenced to five years of deferred probation and 30 days in jail, along with paying victims' out-of-pocket medical expenses totaling about $115,000. He separately agreed to settle a civil case for $1,086,000, which included prejudgment interest and attorneys' fees. Meanwhile, the Chiefs are bracing for Rice to serve an NFL suspension, though the length and time remains uncertain. League spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement recently that the case "remains under review.' 'My legal team is handling all that,' Rice said. 'All I can focus on is what I can control right now and that's me doing what I do.' So far, the knee injury that robbed him of most of last season hasn't held him back. After a standout rookie season, Rice caught 24 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns through his first three games last season. But in Week 4, after Patrick Mahomes had thrown an interception, the quarterback accidentally dived into Rice's leg as they were trying to make the tackle, tearing the lateral collateral ligament in the wide receiver's knee. Rice had surgery and was back for summer workouts, and he's been full-go throughout training camp. 'I feel 100%. I'm excited to be back out here with the guys,' Rice said. 'Just kind of basically where I left off at. The only thing is get back on the field and continue to have fun doing what I do.' The Chiefs had hoped that Rice would be a focal point of the offense last season in a wide receiver corps that included Marquise Brown and then-rookie Xavier Worthy. But that triumvirate never materialized, because 'Hollywood' Brown was hurt on the first play of the preseason — he didn't return until the playoffs — and Rice ultimately joined him on injured reserve. Now, the Chiefs have all three of them healthy, Worthy has a year of experience under him, and fourth-round draft pick Jalen Royals has turned some heads in training camp. Throw in veteran Juju Smith-Schuster and Tyquan Thornton, who appears to be taking advantage of a fresh start in Kansas City, and the Chiefs are confident in their depth at the position. Especially if Rice must serve a suspension during the upcoming season. 'I'm locked in. This is what I do,' Rice said. 'This is my job. This is what I love to do. So even when I'm not able to be with the team, I'm going to be working hard to get back with them as soon as possible.' ___ AP NFL:

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store