Chris Paul Jr. NFL Draft 2025 Scouting Report for Los Angeles Rams LB

The Los Angeles Rams selected Ole Miss LB Chris Paul Jr. with the No. 172 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Chris Paul Jr. has a high ceiling in the NFL as he could develop into a well-rounded linebacker. He's a good athlete for the position. He is already good in coverage due to impressive movement skills to stay in phase against running backs and tight ends when playing man and tighten throwing windows in zone coverage.

Additionally, Paul has impressive ball skills and production and speed to click and close. His awareness could use some work as his eye discipline was shaky at the beginning of the year, though he did show improvement, and he tends to vacate his area or man. But the physical traits as a coverage backer aren't a question.

Chris Paul Jr. Highlights

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Against the run, the Ole Miss product has good sideline-to-sideline range, can make offensive linemen miss and move gap-to-gap well. However, his instincts and ability to take on blocks and stay in his gap need work. The latter can be solved in the weight room as he has skinny legs, but the former could be a bigger issue in the pros.

Overall, Paul's traits are worth betting on and he'd be a good fit as a WILL linebacker. It might take some time, but he can potentially become a quality starter in the NFL during his rookie contract and maybe even by year two.

MEASUREMENTS AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'1"

WEIGHT: 224

HAND: 9⅜”

ARM: 30⅛"

WINGSPAN: 75⅜"

40-YARD DASH: 4.63

3-CONE: 7.46

SHUTTLE: 4.45

VERTICAL: 36"

BROAD: 9'9"

POSITIVES

– Decent size and has some room for growth on his frame.

– Good speed and movement skills, very good athlete overall.

– Can carry tight end and running backs on vertical routes in man coverage or click and close in a hurry when playing zone.

– Uses his hands well in coverage to force re-routes or help stay in-phase.

– Natural ball skills and good ball production for a linebacker.

– Has some thud when coming downhill to create stalemates against offensive linemen when blitzing against the run game and to get pressure against running backs a pass-rusher.

– Uses his change of direction and agility well to make offensive linemen miss on the second level and bounce from gap to gap as a run defender.

– Speed gives him good range versus outside runs.

NEGATIVES

– Lacks lower body strength to hold up against offensive linemen in the running game, will get pushed out of his gap. Also, he struggles to get extension on blocks with sub-par upper body strength.

– Will get caught guessing and out of position as a run defender, instincts could use some work.

– Tackles high and will give up extra yards after contact.

– Discipline in coverage is subpar, he will get caught vacating his area in zone coverage and is quick to leave his man against scramble drills.

NOTES

– Born: Nov. 4, 2002

– A 3-star recruit in the 2021 class, per 247Sports

– Injuries: 2023 (Concussion, missed 1 game)

– Transferred from Arkansas ahead of 2024 season

– 2024: Second-Team All-American, First-Team All-SEC

– 2022: Second-Team Freshman All-American, Freshman All-SEC

GRADE: 7.3 (High-Level Backup/Potential Starter – 3rd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 85

POSITION RANK: LB5

PRO COMPARISON: Zaire Franklin

Written by B/R NFL Scout Matt Holder