The Los Angeles Rams drafted South Carolina inside linebacker Ernest Jones IV in Round 3 of the 2021 NFL Draft with the No. 103 overall pick. Four years later, the team drafted Missouri inside linebacker Chris "Pooh" Paul Jr. in Round 5 of the 2025 NFL Draft with the No. 172 overall pick. But regardless of their starting points, both players find themselves competing for NFC West Division rivals, the Seattle Seahawks.
Fans were certainly strapped into an emotional rollercoaster after the team unexpectedly released Pooh Paul Jr. to fit under the 53-man roster limit. The disappointment turned to hope when the NFL waiver claims list was released, and Pooh Paul's name was not among the players claimed by other NFL teams.