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http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/nfl-draft/post?id=2250
ST. LOUIS RAMS (7-9)
Draft Position: Nos. 2 and 13
Needs: Offensive tackle, safeties, strong-side linebacker
The Rams once again are in great shape from the 2011 RG III trade with Washington. St. Louis holds the Redskins' pick, No. 2 overall this May (the final of the three first-round picks they received in the trade). Interesting enough, the Rams are again sitting in prime position to potentially move back and acquire more picks, which is something general manager Les Snead has been masterful at the past two drafts. The Rams are the only team in the top five that don't have a pressing need for a quarterback or a pass-rusher such as South Carolina's Jadeveon Clowney, a position and a player teams will be coveting.
If the Rams do elect to hold on to the pick, Texas A&M OT Jake Matthews makes sense here. Matthews fills a pressing need, and at this point, appears to be the clear-cut No. 1 offensive tackle, although Auburn's Greg Robinson could make a push as we get further into his evaluation. Furthermore, Jake Long has dealt with durability issues the past few seasons and continuing to bolster protection for Sam Bradford, who will return from a season-ending knee injury this year, makes sense here.
The Rams could also go value here and take a player such as Clowney if they are comfortable with his character and believe he is an elite talent while addressing offensive tackle with pick No. 13. DE certainly isn't a pressing need with Robert Quinn and Chris Long locked up for the next two years, but adding Clowney to the mix would instantly give the Rams a scary pass-rushing front line.
Finally, don't count out UCLA's Anthony Barr from being in the mix, whether they take him at No. 2 or move back a few slots and take him. With SLB Jo-Lonn Dunbar and backup Will Witherspoon set to hit free agency, Barr has the length and athleticism to fill the void while also adding another pass-rushing element to the mix.
Whichever way St. Louis goes at No. 2 will dictate the direction they take at 13. Michigan'sTaylor Lewan or Kouandjio could be in the mix here if they don't address the offensive line with their first pick. While Buffalo OLB Khalil Mack would be a great fit and bring strong value if still on the board at 13, Alabama's C.J. Mosley could also be in the mix at this point.
Finally, the Rams will also be on the lookout to add a playmaker at the safety position. Alabama's Ha Ha Clinton-Dix could be an option at No. 13, while in the second round, Florida State's Lamarcus Joyner's versatility and knack for coming up with big plays would be appealing. If St. Louis elects to wait until later, Western Kentucky's Jonathan Dowling and Florida State's Terrence Brooks may be viable options in early Day 3 range.
OT: Matthews, Robinson*, Lewan, Kouandjio*, Notre Dame's Zack Martin, West Virginia's Curt Feigt
OLBs: Barr, Mack, Mosley, Florida's Ronald Powell*, Alabama's Adrian Hubbard*
Safeties: Clinton-Dix*, Joyner, Dowling*, Brooks, Northern Illinois' Jimmie Ward, Albany State's Dexter Moody
ST. LOUIS RAMS (7-9)
Draft Position: Nos. 2 and 13
Needs: Offensive tackle, safeties, strong-side linebacker
The Rams once again are in great shape from the 2011 RG III trade with Washington. St. Louis holds the Redskins' pick, No. 2 overall this May (the final of the three first-round picks they received in the trade). Interesting enough, the Rams are again sitting in prime position to potentially move back and acquire more picks, which is something general manager Les Snead has been masterful at the past two drafts. The Rams are the only team in the top five that don't have a pressing need for a quarterback or a pass-rusher such as South Carolina's Jadeveon Clowney, a position and a player teams will be coveting.
If the Rams do elect to hold on to the pick, Texas A&M OT Jake Matthews makes sense here. Matthews fills a pressing need, and at this point, appears to be the clear-cut No. 1 offensive tackle, although Auburn's Greg Robinson could make a push as we get further into his evaluation. Furthermore, Jake Long has dealt with durability issues the past few seasons and continuing to bolster protection for Sam Bradford, who will return from a season-ending knee injury this year, makes sense here.
The Rams could also go value here and take a player such as Clowney if they are comfortable with his character and believe he is an elite talent while addressing offensive tackle with pick No. 13. DE certainly isn't a pressing need with Robert Quinn and Chris Long locked up for the next two years, but adding Clowney to the mix would instantly give the Rams a scary pass-rushing front line.
Finally, don't count out UCLA's Anthony Barr from being in the mix, whether they take him at No. 2 or move back a few slots and take him. With SLB Jo-Lonn Dunbar and backup Will Witherspoon set to hit free agency, Barr has the length and athleticism to fill the void while also adding another pass-rushing element to the mix.
Whichever way St. Louis goes at No. 2 will dictate the direction they take at 13. Michigan'sTaylor Lewan or Kouandjio could be in the mix here if they don't address the offensive line with their first pick. While Buffalo OLB Khalil Mack would be a great fit and bring strong value if still on the board at 13, Alabama's C.J. Mosley could also be in the mix at this point.
Finally, the Rams will also be on the lookout to add a playmaker at the safety position. Alabama's Ha Ha Clinton-Dix could be an option at No. 13, while in the second round, Florida State's Lamarcus Joyner's versatility and knack for coming up with big plays would be appealing. If St. Louis elects to wait until later, Western Kentucky's Jonathan Dowling and Florida State's Terrence Brooks may be viable options in early Day 3 range.
OT: Matthews, Robinson*, Lewan, Kouandjio*, Notre Dame's Zack Martin, West Virginia's Curt Feigt
OLBs: Barr, Mack, Mosley, Florida's Ronald Powell*, Alabama's Adrian Hubbard*
Safeties: Clinton-Dix*, Joyner, Dowling*, Brooks, Northern Illinois' Jimmie Ward, Albany State's Dexter Moody