NFL Draft: What Should The St. Louis Rams Do?
The team has the sixth overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft.
The St. Louis Rams already have made one of the biggest draft-related moves of the offseason, trading the second overall selection in this year's draft to the Washington Redskins, who are widely expected to take Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III after the Indianapolis Colts pick Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck.
Round 1 will be held Thursday evening, rounds 2-3 on Friday night and the remainder of the draft will take place Saturday. The Rams are holding an official draft night party Thursday at Dave & Busters in Maryland Heights, featuring appearances by players and cheerleaders and the team's Mascot, Rampage.
At the moment, the Rams have the sixth pick, and have needs at a variety of positions, including wide receiver, cornerback, offensive line, defensive line.
Many of the "mock" drafts put together by football columnists and writers at publications around the country have the team selecting Oklahoma State University wide receiver Justin Blackmon, although some have speculated the team could choose LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne, USC tackle Matt Kalil or Alabama running back Trent Richardson if they're still available.
- The case For Blackmon: Sam Bradford needs offensive weapons, and Blackmon, who has torched Big 12 defenses, including Missouri's, is just what the doctor ordered.
- The case for Claiborne: Speaking of doctors, injuries destroyed the team's defensive backfield in 2011. Claiborne would be a nice match to free agent signee Cortland Finnegan.
- The case for Kalil: The offensive line was also something of a M.A.S.H unit in 2011. If you can't protect your quarterback, it could be a repeat of last season when Bradford suffered an ankle injury that left him hobbled and out of action.
- The case for Richardson: NFL running backs only have so much tread on their tires. Steven Jackson may have several good years left, but how far away are the Rams from being a title contender? What if you could choose his successor and then deal Jackson for picks to help rebuild the rest of the team?
If you were part of the team's braintrust, what would you do? Tell us in the comment section!
Michael Rhodes
10:31 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Everyone thinks they shoould take the WR Blackmon. I think they should grab either offensive line help or defensive help with the first pick and see what WR are available later in round one or in the 2nd and 3rd. RB Richardson also seems like a player who could impact the offense. If you take him though that means Steven Jackson probably needs to go.
If it were me I think I would grab Richardson and then trade Jackson for additional picks this year and next.
Joe Barker
11:58 am on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
I think Blackmon is the right call. The keep waiting until the late rounds to take wide outs and, so far, none have developed. Blackmon seems like a playmaker. If he's gone, get a lineman on either side of the ball—which is sad since the O- and D-lines are stocked with high-priced high picks who haven't panned out yet.
Gregg Palermo
1:24 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
I'd go with Blackmon too. I've seen some people speculate that they could take another wide receiver early in the second round, even if they selected him or Michael Floyd. Not sure I'd do that, especially since they used two middle round picks on wide receivers last year (under the old regime, I know).
Kevin Lane
1:32 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Stephen Hill would be the only WR that is a difference maker, you MAY be able to get him with the 2nd round pick, but Bradford needs a playmaker. There are not that many 1st round O-linemen, and are only a few impact D-linemen, most are DE's and the Rams don't need a starter there.
Richardson is NOT a viable option. Especially since we already have 2.5 yards & a cloud of dust in the backfield. Taking Richardson, only trades one of those for another, meaning you virtually get nothing to improve the team with the 1st round pick. The Rams are not in a position to do that, they need too much help.
Playmakers. Then help on BOTH lines.
Kevin Lane
1:34 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
"difference maker" = outside the first round
Michael Rhodes
2:51 pm on Wednesday, April 25, 2012
I like Richardson as he reminds me of Faulk. He can be in on any down and split out as a receiver. Jackson is usually pulled on third downs and he is closing in on the 30 year old mark. There have been so many misses with WR taken early in the draft. Blackmon sure looks like the real deal, but most of the "experts" say isn't on the same page as Julio Jones or AJ Green that were taken early last year.
Michael de los Reyes
1:47 am on Thursday, April 26, 2012
The Rams have a lot of holes on the team, O-Line, WR, all over the defense. Better to just trade the 6th overall pick in exchange for more draft choices. Let's be honest, the NFL Draft is really more of a lottery. Few drafted players, or first round selections, ever pan out.
Devon Seddon
12:53 pm on Thursday, April 26, 2012
Richardson is not Faulk, there aren't any Marshall Faulks in this draft. Additionally, if you want to 'complement' Jackson, that can be done where RB's should be drafted (unless there's a Marshall Faulk), later in the draft. We already have an overrated RB, and spending a high pick on another isn't what we need on a team with a lot of holes. It's hard to be smart in the draft, but that's EXACTLY what the Rams will need to turn this thing around, good, quality, smart, draft-picks. Good Luck (not Andrew) to the Rams.
Michael Rhodes
7:37 pm on Thursday, April 26, 2012
Rams traded down to 14th with the Cowboys. Get the 45th pick as well. I think this is a great move as Blackmon was off the board.
Thomas J. Stein
7:45 pm on Thursday, April 26, 2012
That's despicable. The Rams missed out on Blackmon, who was their last hope for the team staying in St. Louis. As far as I'm concerned, who cares who the Rams pick in the first-round. I am no longer a Rams fan as of right now, and I hope they continue to fail every year until they move back to L.A. In fact, I hope they move back to Los Angeles three years from now. Go, Rams. Good-bye!
Michael Rhodes
8:40 pm on Thursday, April 26, 2012
Rams take DT Brockers out of LSU. Was hoping they would go offensive line.