1.13: Who Should The St. Louis Rams Take? (1 Viewer)

[Sigmund Bloom]

Who should the Rams take?

Itll be a dream come true for them if the guy Cec and I have them taking falls to 13.

 

[Kegs & Eggs]

I am crossing my fingers that Okoye falls to the Rams at 13! That is who I would like to see them select.

 

[Bob Magaw]

if okoye were on the board, there is no question in my mind that he would be their guy...

whether he lasts that long & falls into their laps is the big question... i'm starting to think that chance is less than 50/50, but i'm hopeful...

with witherspoon last season & addition of draft this year (he can play all three positions, & may start at SLB over chillar or provide solid, serviceable, workmanlike depth), they have the potential to have best combination of starters & depth at position in a few years...

DL is massive need... probably DT most (with signing of hall as bookend to little), but DE as well... championship teams are built from the inside out, & STL has potentially solved some problems on OL in recent years, but the DL has been a major weakness (cap problems have caused general attrition with loss in last half decade of fletcher, wistrom, fisher... & a series of draft picks that haven't panned out... not just DT nightmare of 1st rounders lewis & kennedy, but also 1st rounders archuleta & robert thomas)...

a stud DT like okoye (or branch, if he is) could stop the bleeding in the middle, make the team stouter against run, generate pressure from inside & flush QB to waiting arms of little & hall (when was the last time STL had a GREAT DT?)...

but a stud DE would be good consolation prize... might be upgrade over hall, & they need to groom an eventual replacement for so far ageless little, who is nearing mid-30s, i think... great DEs are hard to get in FA or trade, so drafting well at the position can be a huge advantage... tony softli has replaced charley armey, and look at how good of a DL he helped build there (peppers & jenkins both pro bowlers)...

DL could make the entire defense better... by being stouter at point of attack, not getting pushed around as much, having better run/pass recognition, instincts, athleticism, playmaking ability, disciplined gap control, etc... this could enable ripple through effect where rest of DL plays better, LB don't have to run all over the field & will be presented with more inviting targets, & increased pressure on QB would be a boon to DBs in coverage... and having more favorable down & distance situations on third down could also help the secondary...

LB as i noted above is not AS PRESSING or urgent of a need... witherspoon & tinoisamoa were both signed to big contracts last year, & FA draft comes off one of his best seasons...

as to DB, that could also in an interlinked sense have ripple through effect & make other aspects of defense better... being better in coverage could buy DL more time to get sacks (though not obvious how this would make LBs better if they don't fix DL)... i do think if you can't get better everywhere at once (& having one of statistically worst defenses, especially against run since lovie smith left, they have holes at multiple positions), the preference would be other way around, to have upgraded DL pressure enabling DBs to not have to cover as well or as long...

at safety, atogwe seemed to get better as season went along (he was basically a rookie after getting virtually no time in true 05 rookie season), and imo he has a chance to be a good player... obviously there is no chance landry drops to them at 13, where they might be tempted to add guy that could be upgrade over both atogwe & aging chavous... i think latter is good enough for now, & they have other more pressing needs (& he is so smart & like coach on field, valuable intangibles, along with vet leadership), that they won't be looking at the florida safety...

CB could use an upgrade, but probably not as much as DL... fakhir brown was rams steadiest CB & is physical in run support, but he is limited athletically, and on some teams might be nickle CB (not sure if he always started in NO, but i don't think so)... 06 1st rounder tye hill looks like a keeper... he has sensational speed & overall athleticism, obvious hand-eye coordination, body control & ball skills (one of fastest players in draft, but not just a track guy... he translates speed onto football field & makes plays, & was among rookie leaders in INTs, despite not starting the whole year)... his progress is somewhat remarkable as he is a converted RB that has been playing position for just a few years, is still learning, getting better, & you could say he has a lot of upside... he could play stronger & more physical, and work on his tackling form to be more well rounded... ron bartell is a physical specimen that was one one of biggest & fastest DBs at his combine (05?)... there has been talk that he might be better safety, but last year he began to flash some promise at CB after slow start to career, & he had something like 3 INTs in last three games to end season on personal high note... he could be nickle CB... they also added lenny walls & mike rumph, but they are castoffs & detritus of other teams, & STL may be lucky if one of them emerges as dime back, or they provide functional depth... a guy like revis could be eventual upgrade over brown, & give them a much needed boost in return game, an element missing since az-zahir hakim...

DTs - okoye #1 choice with a bullet...

if gone, branch could get hard look, but not sure over...

DEs - anderson, carriker, ? (adams surely gone... could go as high as #2 to DET)

CB - revis (plus is his return ability), houston, kid from ARK

* okoye is such a blue chip prospect that i think STL fans would rejoice with the pick... i haven't heard as much lately that rams should NOT take a DT due to whiffing at position with three 1st rounders since 01 (pickett not a total whiff, but he isn't on the team any more, either)...

that strikes me as a REALLY, REALLY bad thought process... mistakes can be of omission & commision... NOT TAKING the right guy is effectively equally damaging to TAKING wrong guy... if okoye is a stud, who cares if things didn't work out in past... if any thing, that is a great reason FOR taking a DT, to address a crying need... the bad picks before are punishment enough... to not take a guy that might fix the problem, would be like compounding, magnifying & intensifying the earlier & original mistake/s...

 

[QUEZILLA]

Okoye or Carriker.

 

[Biabreakable]

Bob I think they should take a biggun too.

Carriker could be a nice pick because of his size and versitility.

Okoye or Branch would be solid options as well. I think the questions about Branch's work eithic are overblown. It is a concern where other weaknesses could not really be found. I still think he is a solid pick.

At least one of these 3 options should be available to the Lambs and I think they should take the one they like best.

They can address the DLine again in later rounds if needed. What about Claude Wroten and Victor Adeyanju from last year? Are they suitable depth?

Or focus on defensive backs with thier later picks.

A developmental player at tackle could be somthing to look at on the 2nd day.

 

[Marc Faletti]

Great thoughts, all!

In my "ideal" draft, I felt like all the best D-lineman deserve to be picked by then -- Branch, Okoye, Adams, Anderson, and Carriker. Obviously, I don't think this will happen, but since our On The Clock picks are what we believe the teams _should_ do, that's how it's gone on my board thus far.

On the off chance this happens, and guys like Patrick Willis and Laron Landry are also gone (which, again, they are on my board), who do you think they should take? I went with Revis, but considered Reggie Nelson as well.

Basically, I'm wondering who Rams fans would like to see them land if the top 5 d-linemen are gone along with Willis and Landry... I felt it was a tough choice.

 

[paydrt]

if okoye were on the board, there is no question in my mind that he would be their guy...whether he lasts that long & falls into their laps is the big question... i'm starting to think that chance is less than 50/50, but i'm hopeful...with witherspoon last season & addition of draft this year (he can play all three positions, & may start at SLB over chillar or provide solid, serviceable, workmanlike depth), they have the potential to have best combination of starters & depth at position in a few years...DL is massive need... probably DT most (with signing of hall as bookend to little), but DE as well... championship teams are built from the inside out, & STL has potentially solved some problems on OL in recent years, but the DL has been a major weakness (cap problems have caused general attrition with loss in last half decade of fletcher, wistrom, fisher... & a series of draft picks that haven't panned out... not just DT nightmare of 1st rounders lewis & kennedy, but also 1st rounders archuleta & robert thomas)...a stud DT like okoye (or branch, if he is) could stop the bleeding in the middle, make the team stouter against run, generate pressure from inside & flush QB to waiting arms of little & hall (when was the last time STL had a GREAT DT?)...but a stud DE would be good consolation prize... might be upgrade over hall, & they need to groom an eventual replacement for so far ageless little, who is nearing mid-30s, i think... great DEs are hard to get in FA or trade, so drafting well at the position can be a huge advantage... tony softli has replaced charley armey, and look at how good of a DL he helped build there (peppers & jenkins both pro bowlers)...DL could make the entire defense better... by being stouter at point of attack, not getting pushed around as much, having better run/pass recognition, instincts, athleticism, playmaking ability, disciplined gap control, etc... this could enable ripple through effect where rest of DL plays better, LB don't have to run all over the field & will be presented with more inviting targets, & increased pressure on QB would be a boon to DBs in coverage... and having more favorable down & distance situations on third down could also help the secondary...LB as i noted above is not AS PRESSING or urgent of a need... witherspoon & tinoisamoa were both signed to big contracts last year, & FA draft comes off one of his best seasons...as to DB, that could also in an interlinked sense have ripple through effect & make other aspects of defense better... being better in coverage could buy DL more time to get sacks (though not obvious how this would make LBs better if they don't fix DL)... i do think if you can't get better everywhere at once (& having one of statistically worst defenses, especially against run since lovie smith left, they have holes at multiple positions), the preference would be other way around, to have upgraded DL pressure enabling DBs to not have to cover as well or as long...at safety, atogwe seemed to get better as season went along (he was basically a rookie after getting virtually no time in true 05 rookie season), and imo he has a chance to be a good player... obviously there is no chance landry drops to them at 13, where they might be tempted to add guy that could be upgrade over both atogwe & aging chavous... i think latter is good enough for now, & they have other more pressing needs (& he is so smart & like coach on field, valuable intangibles, along with vet leadership), that they won't be looking at the florida safety...CB could use an upgrade, but probably not as much as DL... fakhir brown was rams steadiest CB & is physical in run support, but he is limited athletically, and on some teams might be nickle CB (not sure if he always started in NO, but i don't think so)... 06 1st rounder tye hill looks like a keeper... he has sensational speed & overall athleticism, obvious hand-eye coordination, body control & ball skills (one of fastest players in draft, but not just a track guy... he translates speed onto football field & makes plays, & was among rookie leaders in INTs, despite not starting the whole year)... his progress is somewhat remarkable as he is a converted RB that has been playing position for just a few years, is still learning, getting better, & you could say he has a lot of upside... he could play stronger & more physical, and work on his tackling form to be more well rounded... ron bartell is a physical specimen that was one one of biggest & fastest DBs at his combine (05?)... there has been talk that he might be better safety, but last year he began to flash some promise at CB after slow start to career, & he had something like 3 INTs in last three games to end season on personal high note... he could be nickle CB... they also added lenny walls & mike rumph, but they are castoffs & detritus of other teams, & STL may be lucky if one of them emerges as dime back, or they provide functional depth... a guy like revis could be eventual upgrade over brown, & give them a much needed boost in return game, an element missing since az-zahir hakim...DTs - okoye #1 choice with a bullet...if gone, branch could get hard look, but not sure over...DEs - anderson, carriker, ? (adams surely gone... could go as high as #2 to DET)CB - revis (plus is his return ability), houston, kid from ARK* okoye is such a blue chip prospect that i think STL fans would rejoice with the pick... i haven't heard as much lately that rams should NOT take a DT due to whiffing at position with three 1st rounders since 01 (pickett not a total whiff, but he isn't on the team any more, either)...that strikes me as a REALLY, REALLY bad thought process... mistakes can be of omission & commision... NOT TAKING the right guy is effectively equally damaging to TAKING wrong guy... if okoye is a stud, who cares if things didn't work out in past... if any thing, that is a great reason FOR taking a DT, to address a crying need... the bad picks before are punishment enough... to not take a guy that might fix the problem, would be like compounding, magnifying & intensifying the earlier & original mistake/s...

Do you have a scenario where they take a WR. For a team thats identity is rooted in its offence and with a coach with an offensive background its receiving core is thin as well as getting up in age.

 

[Blackjacks]

With the signing of Drew Bennett and McMichael I find it hard to think they go offense with their first pick.

I think their first choice will be Okoye if he is available, that's a big if.

If Landry is there I would love them to pick him, however, I htink he'll be long gone by then.

I could see Carriker, Branch or Anderson but it really doesn't excite me.

I would also like to see Patrick Willis to solidify or LB corp which has gotten better but could use a young star.

The only player on offense I could see them drafting is Ginn Jr. due to his special teams ability which the Rams have been awful in for a long time. I sure hope they would trade down in the draft if they go with him. I think they could fall back in the mid 20's and pick up some draft choices in that scenario.

 

[Bob Magaw]

good post...

if okoye doesn't fall to them, & they are thinking DB, i wouldn't mind a move down where they could add a pick...

holt is about 30-31, & while not young, not really old (for a WR, unlike RB)... he seems to take care of himself, & WR coach ellard has coached them to not take a lot of monster shots in the open field, so unless knee injury worsens, he should be able to play at relatively high level for few more years (maybe 3 or more?)... bruce is about 35, but they did add bennett (& mcmichael, who can be a receiving weapon from TE, & probably best athlete they have had at the position in a long time), which might minimize need for WR...

there defense needs help... they were 31st of 32 teams against run (145 rushing yards per game... way too much)...

but there is a school of thought that in making offense better, you can take pressure off defense (keep them off field, getting lead can make opponent one dimensional & force them to pass, etc)...

i don't think it is likely, but i wouldn't have a problem if they get ginn... if he is a hester-like return artist, that alone might make him worth a mid-first, & it could fix a long-standing problem for the team in one stroke... & though opinion is divided on him, i think he will be the real deal in time, & he might remind new personnel man tony softli a little of a player from his last team... steve smith...

with steven jackson & ginn, the team could have a dangerous inside/outside game for years, even after holt & bruce...

 

[Biabreakable]

I do not see Willis being available this late in the draft. Not going to happen.

Landry is possible but for many of the same reasons that Bob has gone into allready I don't think they should pass up on a quality DT prospect if available. Worst case DLine prospect would be Carriker who is still a good pick because of his versitility. His main atribute is brute strength and that should not be underestimated in how it can help a defense. Especialy against the run which has been a weakness for the Lambs lately.

I do not see the Lambs needing skill position players at all. They still have premier WRs Holt and Bruce and added Bennett in FA. Offense can become more diversified with McMichael being added to Klop and Byrd @ TE. They also have Marques Hagans developing at WR. I just do not see a need for a skill player with this much depth and talent available to them allready.

Sure they will take BPA if a skill player drops but I do not see that being thier focus for this draft at all. They should be drafting defense defense and more defesne starting where it matters most up front in the trenches.

 

[paydrt]

good post...if okoye doesn't fall to them, & they are thinking DB, i wouldn't mind a move down where they could add a pick...holt is about 30-31, & while not young, not really old (for a WR, unlike RB)... he seems to take care of himself, & WR coach ellard has coached them to not take a lot of monster shots in the open field, so unless knee injury worsens, he should be able to play at relatively high level for few more years (maybe 3 or more?)... bruce is about 35, but they did add bennett (& mcmichael, who can be a receiving weapon from TE, & probably best athlete they have had at the position in a long time), which might minimize need for WR...there defense needs help... they were 31st of 32 teams against run (145 rushing yards per game... way too much)...but there is a school of thought that in making offense better, you can take pressure off defense (keep them off field, getting lead can make opponent one dimensional & force them to pass, etc)...i don't think it is likely, but i wouldn't have a problem if they get ginn... if he is a hester-like return artist, that alone might make him worth a mid-first, & it could fix a long-standing problem for the team in one stroke... & though opinion is divided on him, i think he will be the real deal in time, & he might remind new personnel man tony softli a little of a player from his last team... steve smith...with steven jackson & ginn, the team could have a dangerous inside/outside game for years, even after holt & bruce...

Man when looking at the Rams closely this is a team with needs all over the place, they are getting dangerously close to the point of no return where-by they are going to have to find replacements on both sides of the ball. It could take a number of drafts to repair this. Free agency not withstanding.Yes, certainly logic would dictate that the Rams are best served addressing their many defensive needs and I'm not disagreeing however something I read a couple of weeks ago left me with the gut feeling (like thats been right before) the Rams may throw a wrench into things and use their first selection and take a WR. The Rams dont play in a division with teams that are build around strong defensive play, the Cards, Seahawks and 49ers are all looking to improve their defences, and with this in mind their draft philosphy may be to up keep the offence and look to fill their defensive needs with the picks that follow. If Ginn blazes to a sub 4.3 time do they pass on him? Is Meachem to high here? What if Brady Quinn falls into their lap? I really like Alan Branch but sometimes these big DTs can be really difficult to motivate, they are like a big bull, in that they move when they want to move. Ultimately I think the Rams should shore up their front 7 however I would not be suprised if they chose an offensive player with this pick.

 

[duaneok66]

good post...if okoye doesn't fall to them, & they are thinking DB, i wouldn't mind a move down where they could add a pick...holt is about 30-31, & while not young, not really old (for a WR, unlike RB)... he seems to take care of himself, & WR coach ellard has coached them to not take a lot of monster shots in the open field, so unless knee injury worsens, he should be able to play at relatively high level for few more years (maybe 3 or more?)... bruce is about 35, but they did add bennett (& mcmichael, who can be a receiving weapon from TE, & probably best athlete they have had at the position in a long time), which might minimize need for WR...there defense needs help... they were 31st of 32 teams against run (145 rushing yards per game... way too much)...but there is a school of thought that in making offense better, you can take pressure off defense (keep them off field, getting lead can make opponent one dimensional & force them to pass, etc)...i don't think it is likely, but i wouldn't have a problem if they get ginn... if he is a hester-like return artist, that alone might make him worth a mid-first, & it could fix a long-standing problem for the team in one stroke... & though opinion is divided on him, i think he will be the real deal in time, & he might remind new personnel man tony softli a little of a player from his last team... steve smith...with steven jackson & ginn, the team could have a dangerous inside/outside game for years, even after holt & bruce...

Man when looking at the Rams closely this is a team with needs all over the place, they are getting dangerously close to the point of no return where-by they are going to have to find replacements on both sides of the ball. It could take a number of drafts to repair this. Free agency not withstanding.Yes, certainly logic would dictate that the Rams are best served addressing their many defensive needs and I'm not disagreeing however something I read a couple of weeks ago left me with the gut feeling (like thats been right before) the Rams may throw a wrench into things and use their first selection and take a WR. The Rams dont play in a division with teams that are build around strong defensive play, the Cards, Seahawks and 49ers are all looking to improve their defences, and with this in mind their draft philosphy may be to up keep the offence and look to fill their defensive needs with the picks that follow. If Ginn blazes to a sub 4.3 time do they pass on him? Is Meachem to high here? What if Brady Quinn falls into their lap? I really like Alan Branch but sometimes these big DTs can be really difficult to motivate, they are like a big bull, in that they move when they want to move. Ultimately I think the Rams should shore up their front 7 however I would not be suprised if they chose an offensive player with this pick.

You have a point about taking a WR, but come on, Bruce still looks decent, and Bennett can take the #2 if Bruce is indeed finished . . . no commentary needed about Holt, and even though McMichael is overrated in some circles, he is a serviceable TE . . . if they DO go Offense by some chance, it would have to be OL, where they have issues . . . of course, #13 is probably too high to take a OG or C, so its back to the defensive side of the ball . . .