Quentin Lake's Draft Day Slip-Up: What Really Happened
Safety Quentin Lake, one of the Los Angeles Rams' defensive cornerstones, slipped to the sixth round of the 2022 NFL draft, a move that has left many questioning how a player of his caliber fell so far.
Lake himself attributes the fall to a combination of pre-draft injury concerns and one of the deepest draft classes in recent memory. "I think I got flagged because of some injuries," Lake said on "Inside Football" with Trey Wingo. "But I also say this too: in 2022, that was probably the biggest draft class ever. You had guys that took another year because of COVID, and kind of COVID messed up everything, too."
The 2022 draft class was indeed one of the largest and deepest in recent history, with many talented players who had taken an extra year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Lake's own pre-draft injuries likely contributed to his slide, with evaluators questioning his speed and physicality. "You had guys that were graded five, six, seven were really, you know, three, four, five," Lake explained.
Lake's father, it seems, was always realistic about his son's chances of making it in the league. "My dad told me — funny story — he was like, 'Q, don't be surprised if you get cut,'" Lake recalled. This advice likely motivated Lake to develop his skills and become a more versatile player, learning every position in the secondary.
Lake's hard work has paid off in a big way, with the safety racking up 235 career tackles, 22 pass deflections, four sacks, two fumble recoveries, and an interception since entering the league. He was in the middle of another strong 2025 campaign before a Week 11 elbow injury against Seattle ended his season early.
The Rams, meanwhile, have clearly valued Lake's contributions to the team. On January 1, they signed him to a three-year extension worth up to $42 million, including $25.7 million guaranteed. Lake is now under contract through 2028 and enters 2026 training camp fully healthy and locked into L.A.'s secondary.
Lake's story serves as a reminder that even the best players can face setbacks and uncertainty in their careers. His determination and adaptability, however, have made him a key player for the Rams, and it will be interesting to see how he continues to develop and contribute to the team in the years to come.
Source: Yahoo Sports