The Los Angeles Rams may have quietly signed one of the most intriguing undrafted free agents of the 2025 NFL offseason in Willie Lampkin, a 5-foot-10, 270-pound interior lineman from North Carolina. Size concerns likely pushed Lampkin out of the draft, despite a resume that includes elite production, consistent film, and a standout showing at the Senior Bowl—where he held his own against first-rounder Walter Nolen.
Lampkin entered the pre-draft process with questions about how a player of his stature could anchor against 340+ pound defensive linemen. By his own account, he answered those concerns in Mobile.
“The Senior Bowl proved I’m capable of blocking those bigger-bodied defensive linemen,” Lampkin told The Draft Network’s Justin Melo. “I know that’s a big question a lot of teams and scouts had about me because of my size… I proved I could [anchor]. I definitely feel like I answered that question for them.”
Elite Production, Overlooked Profile
Despite going undrafted, Lampkin was highly productive. In 2024, he ranked first among all Power Four guards in PFF overall grade (84.8) and first in pass-blocking grade (88.8). He was projected as a Day 3 selection and finished with a 6.00 draft profile grade—higher than Rams starting left tackle Alaric Jackson, who entered the league undrafted in 2021 with a 5.84 grade. Jackson, of course, now anchors the left side of the Rams’ offensive line.
In that sense, Lampkin isn’t just a camp body. He’s following a proven blueprint in Los Angeles, where the front office has shown it’s not afraid to trust overlooked players with real opportunity.
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Wrestling Roots, Real Leverage
Lampkin attributes much of his trench success to his background in wrestling. That shows up in both technique and mindset.
“My wrestling background helps a ton,” he explained. “I play with great hand placement and terrific leverage. I have great feet and a dog mentality as well. I have a well-rounded skill set.”
That’s not just talk. Scouts and analysts have praised Lampkin’s natural leverage, above-average wingspan, and relentless engagement. He’s often still fighting through the whistle long after others let up. In fact, his Senior Bowl reps drew attention not just for holding ground, but for repeatedly winning leverage battles against longer and heavier defenders.
The Opportunity in L.A.
The Rams’ starting offensive line is mostly set, but depth along the interior is a different story. The team lost multiple backups over the past year, including Logan Bruss, Jonah Jackson, and Joe Noteboom. They did bring in veteran center Coleman Shelton, and rookies Justin Dedich and Beaux Limmer are expected to push for second-team reps.
But beyond those names, the interior competition is wide open.
That gives players like Lampkin a legitimate shot. If the decision came down to work ethic and fire alone, there’s no question he’d be in.
“There is a mountain of fight and confidence in Rams 5-foot-10 IOL Willie Lampkin,” one analyst noted. “The question is, will that be enough when the pads go on and contact in the trenches gets real?”
A Fit in the Los Angeles Rams’ Agile System?
Interestingly, Lampkin’s limitations might actually match well with the Rams’ system. Los Angeles often prioritizes mobility and agility over pure mass in its scheme—both hallmarks of Lampkin’s game. Their defensive front, in particular, is known for being quicker and smaller than league norms, which could play into Lampkin’s strengths during training camp reps.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein offered this pre-draft evaluation:
“Interior lineman with adequate NFL size, a good feel for reading stunts and blitzes, and a low center of gravity. Lampkin triggers quickly on his blocks, plays with balance and physicality, but will need a scheme that emphasizes agility over power. His size is the biggest hurdle, but his tape suggests he’s a fighter.”
And there’s precedent for short, stout linemen succeeding in the league. Poona Ford, a 5-foot-11 nose tackle, has carved out a solid NFL career on similar traits: leverage, length, and motor.
A Longshot Worth Watching
Make no mistake—Lampkin is still a longshot. But he’s more than a novelty or underdog story. The Rams need depth, and Lampkin fits a profile they’ve embraced before. His combination of production, grit, and scheme fit makes him a player to watch closely as training camp unfolds.
If nothing else, he’s already proving that size alone shouldn’t dictate opportunity.