Draft Preview: Rams

Week 17 is in the books and 60% of the 2012 NFL Draft order has been set (see earlier article for full order). Every week I will be analyzing the next team in the draft order to provide analysis and potential strategies for the team at hand. Last week, I examined the Colts which means its time to look at the St. Louis Rams. The Rams hold the second overall pick, which gives them plenty of options. Keep an eye out for your favorite team and feel free to leave comments below

With the Colts securing the first overall pick, it is expected that Andrew Luck will be selected. That leaves the Rams with a number of possibilities, the most obvious of which is offensive tackle. Sam Bradford is the franchise quarterback for St. Louis, and showed that ability last year. However, Bradford stumbled this year behind one of the worst offensive lines in football. The Rams gave up too many sacks, and Bradford eventually sustained season ending injuries. Jason Smith is turning out to be a major bust from three years ago, and immediate help is needed.

There are two tackles the Rams could select this early in the draft, who are almost certain to be more effective than Smith. The first, and most obvious pick is USC’s Matt Kalil. Kalil is the premier left tackle in all of college football at this point and seems likely to be the Rams selection. Kalil has the rare combination of size, strength, mechanics; making him a prototypical franchise tackle. While those that follow the draft know that tackles are typically selected early, Kalil is not just any left tackle. Kalil’s skills have many regarding him as the best tackle to come along since Joe Thomas and Jake Long (both perennial pro bowlers). The second tackle available would be Stanford’s Jonathan Martin. Martin has proven himself to be a reliable blocker in the tremendous passing and running game featured at Stanford this year. While Kalil appears to be the clear choice for a tackle at this position, do not be surprised to see the Rams trade back from the second slot, and select Martin later.

As I mentioned, the left tackle slot appears to be the biggest need for the Rams, but I expect them to trade out of the second spot and gamble loosing out on Matt Kalil. Luck is sure to be chosen by the Colts, leaving only RG3 available for the remaining quarterback needy teams. In the top 10 there are three teams (Browns, Redskins, and Dolphins) who are likely to select a quarterback in the first round. With only one elite quarterback prospect left, I expect the Rams to field many trade offers at the number two spot. While these offers will not be as large as a trade for Luck, Barkley’s return to USC and Landry Jones’ unknown status make securing RG3 a priority for these three teams. The Rams could very easily trade back to the number four or six spot, receive extra picks, and still select an elite prospect at a position of need.

Some draft writers have suggested the possibility of the Rams drafting Oklahoma State’s Justin Blackmon, or LSU’s Morris Claiborne. While both of these players are elite prospects at their respective positions (WR & DB), I do not believe they are likely selections for the Rams. Blackmon is a stud receiver, and the Rams are certainly lacking production from their offense, but this is still too high for Blackmon. Blackmon has the ability to separate from defenders and take over a ball game, but he also has the propensity to disappear at times. His inconsistencies make Blackmon closer to a Michael Crabtree, than a Calvin Johnson or AJ Green, type of prospect.

Claiborne is another intriguing option that makes sense for the Rams at first glance. The Rams only won two games and were ranked in the bottom ten, for yards allowed. Surprisingly though, the Rams were also ranked in the top 10 for passing defenses. The Rams have a terrific pass rush between Chris Long, and Robert Quinn, and a recovering secondary. Many people forget that the Rams lost six starters in their secondary to IR this year, and still managed to be a top 10 passing defense. While Claiborne is the clear number one corner in this draft, and would add tremendous value to the Rams defense, I believe the offense line is a greater concern. Claiborne is a fantastic player, but represents more of a luxury than a necessity for the Rams at this point.

We are still over four months away from the draft, with many workouts and interviews still to come. At this point the Rams stand in a very strong position with the second overall pick, and a team ready to win the NFC West. The Rams are in the process of hiring a new coach, and that choice could very well determine how the Rams act on draft day. However, at this point it seems clear that St. Louis needs to protect their franchise quarterback, lest they become the modern day Texans (with Bradford as the new David Carr). Stay tuned as next week I will be analyzing the Minnesota Vikings, picking at the #3 spot.