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Jim Thomas grades the Rams' draft
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_e2698177-ef93-564a-a18f-b6a4aaf04790.html
Post-Dispatch football writer Jim Thomas, who has covered the Rams all 19 of their seasons in St. Louis, grades the Rams' 2014 draft class.
ROUND 1
• Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
A massive, powerful blocker, but he’ll have to learn to pass block.
Grade: A minus
• Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh
Too good to pass on at No. 13, he’ll give Rams an interior pass rush.
Grade: A
ROUND 2
• Lamarcus Joyner, CB/S, Florida State
Fills glaring need at nickel back; adds toughness and leadership.
Grade: A minus
ROUND 3
• Tre Mason, RB, Auburn
The Rams just went from decent to good in their backfield.
Grade: A
ROUND 4
• Maurice Alexander, S, Utah State
Beyond off-field issue, has played only one year of college safety.
Grade: C+
ROUND 6
• E.J. Gaines, CB, Missouri
Great value here; should have gone a round or two higher.
Grade: A minus
• Garrett Gilbert, QB, SMU
Not blaming Gilbert, but Rams should have popped on QB earlier.
Grade: C
ROUND 7
• Mitchell Van Dyk, OT, Portland State
Has size and potential, and that’s a good start in the seventh round.
Grade: B
• Christian Bryant, S, Ohio State
Potential steal; ankle injury depressed his draft stock.
Grade: B+
• Michael Sam, DE, Missouri
How often do you see SEC defensive player of year this late?
Grade: A
• Demetrius Rhaney, C, Tenn. St.
The forgotten pick after Sam; has some substance to him.
Grade: B
• OVERALL GRADE
It’s hard to argue with what the Rams did on the first two days of the draft, comprising the first three rounds. But passing on a quarterback until Round 6 is a gamble.
So is not taking a wide receiver through 11 picks — a point that was underscored by Stedman Bailey’s four-game suspension Monday.
And it was mildly surprising that the team didn’t attempt to bolster depth at linebacker. But all in all, it looks like the Rams got better.
GRADE: B+
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_e2698177-ef93-564a-a18f-b6a4aaf04790.html
Post-Dispatch football writer Jim Thomas, who has covered the Rams all 19 of their seasons in St. Louis, grades the Rams' 2014 draft class.
ROUND 1
• Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn
A massive, powerful blocker, but he’ll have to learn to pass block.
Grade: A minus
• Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh
Too good to pass on at No. 13, he’ll give Rams an interior pass rush.
Grade: A
ROUND 2
• Lamarcus Joyner, CB/S, Florida State
Fills glaring need at nickel back; adds toughness and leadership.
Grade: A minus
ROUND 3
• Tre Mason, RB, Auburn
The Rams just went from decent to good in their backfield.
Grade: A
ROUND 4
• Maurice Alexander, S, Utah State
Beyond off-field issue, has played only one year of college safety.
Grade: C+
ROUND 6
• E.J. Gaines, CB, Missouri
Great value here; should have gone a round or two higher.
Grade: A minus
• Garrett Gilbert, QB, SMU
Not blaming Gilbert, but Rams should have popped on QB earlier.
Grade: C
ROUND 7
• Mitchell Van Dyk, OT, Portland State
Has size and potential, and that’s a good start in the seventh round.
Grade: B
• Christian Bryant, S, Ohio State
Potential steal; ankle injury depressed his draft stock.
Grade: B+
• Michael Sam, DE, Missouri
How often do you see SEC defensive player of year this late?
Grade: A
• Demetrius Rhaney, C, Tenn. St.
The forgotten pick after Sam; has some substance to him.
Grade: B
• OVERALL GRADE
It’s hard to argue with what the Rams did on the first two days of the draft, comprising the first three rounds. But passing on a quarterback until Round 6 is a gamble.
So is not taking a wide receiver through 11 picks — a point that was underscored by Stedman Bailey’s four-game suspension Monday.
And it was mildly surprising that the team didn’t attempt to bolster depth at linebacker. But all in all, it looks like the Rams got better.
GRADE: B+