Jared Wilson: The Los Angles Rams’ next late-round steal in the 2025 NFL Draft

Is Jared Wilson the Ram's next late-round gem?
Jared Wilson could be a steal in the 2025 NFL Draft
Jared Wilson could be a steal in the 2025 NFL Draft | Perry McIntyre/ISI Photos/GettyImages

The Los Angeles Rams have a history of finding hidden gems in the NFL Draft, and Georgia center Jared Wilson could be their next great value pick.

The Rams have developed a reputation for finding hidden gems in the NFL Draft, consistently uncovering talent beyond the first two rounds. Players like Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp, Alaric Jackson, and Kobie Turner all emerged as key contributors despite being selected later in the draft. The question now is: who will be their next great find? One potential candidate is Georgia center Jared Wilson.

Jared Wilson: A potential steal for the Rams

After spending his first few seasons as a backup, Wilson solidified himself as one of the top centers in the 2025 NFL Draft during his first year as a starter. His performance was impressive as he allowed zero sacks and just six pressures in pass protection while committing only three penalties all season.

One of Wilson’s most enticing attributes is his exceptional mobility. He is expected to post some of the best athletic testing numbers among offensive linemen at the NFL Combine. His agility is evident in his game tape, where he consistently demonstrates the ability to slide in pass protection and reach the second level as a run blocker. This mobility makes him a strong fit for the Rams’ zone-running scheme.

"I'm excited for the rest of the world to get to see Jared Wilson He has a lot to do to be the best player he can be, but when you talk about athleticism at the center position, this guy runs faster than a lot of our defensive backs, believe it or not, our tight ends, our quarterbacks. His numbers, extremely athletic, over 300 pounds, can get to the second level as quick as anybody. Just really athletic"
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart

Another key strength is Wilson’s versatility. He has experience playing both center and guard, and NFL teams have reportedly shown interest in him for both positions. His hand technique is another plus—he keeps his hands inside his defender effectively, which contributes to his low penalty count over his collegiate career.

However, there are some concerns. The biggest knock on Wilson is his limited experience, as he has only been a full-time starter for one season. Additionally, while he possesses solid strength, he is not the type of lineman who will overpower defensive tackles. The Rams, though, could mitigate this concern by scheming to limit his exposure in these situations. Another potential red flag is a leg injury that sidelined him for two games in 2024, though he appears to have fully recovered.

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As for where the Rams could land Wilson in the 2025 NFL Draft, he should still be available when they make their third-round compensatory selection at 100th overall. If they manage to secure him at that spot, it would be a tremendous value pick. Wilson is my top-rated center in this class, carrying a second-round grade on my board. If drafted by Los Angeles, he would likely compete with Beaux Limmer for the starting center job. Even if he doesn’t win that battle, his versatility would allow him to serve as a valuable backup at both center and guard.