Rams Draft 2nd, Draft List and Mock Drafts

by jroman on Jan 1, 2008 4:09 PM CST

[editor's note, by VanRam]Good thing the Rams didn't win a fourth game and muddy the draft pick waters...kidding. I've promoted this diary to get us a head start in talking draft. Just a quick programming note, I'll be in and out through the rest of the week supporting my family through a pretty tough time. I'm working on a post about the salary cap for '08 and expect to have that by Friday. In the meantime, let's keep the offseason discussion going. We certainly have plenty to talk about. Thanks to jroman for sorting out the mocks as of now. I suspect as the underclassmen picture shapes up, these lists will change, not to mention Linehan's role in the Senior Bowl.

I just wanted to get a headstart on draft talk and put some of the predictions are prognostications around the web.

Here's the list for the top 10:
First Round

Miami (1-15)
St. Louis (3-13)
Atlanta (4-12) (tie breaker)
Kansas City (4-12) (tie breaker)
Oakland (4-12) (tie breaker)
New York Jets (4-12)
New England (from San Francisco) (5-11)
Baltimore (5-11)
Cincinnati (7-9)
New Orleans (7-9)

Here are some predictions for the Rams at #2:
Walterfootball.com - Jake Long - OT Michigan
NFL Draft Countdown - CHRIS Long - DE Virginia
Draftking.com - Jake Long - OT Michigan
Footballsfuture.com - CHRIS Long - De Virginia
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Please feel free to add any others in the comments. Should be interesting to say the least.

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Comments

Long

I just don't see how they can NOT draft an o-lineman like Jake Long in the first round, not with a QB signed to an expensive contract like Bulger.

by Ryan Van Bibber on Jan 2, 2008 8:37 AM CST reply actions

Tackle?

Do the Rams NEED a tackle? With a healthy, albeit aging, Pace and an improving Barron; maybe a better need on the o-line is in the interior? Depth is needed at tackle, but this could be accomplished through free agency or later in the rounds.

I just don't see a first round NEED of offensive tackle.

by sccardsfan on Jan 2, 2008 9:48 AM CST reply actions

O - line

Currently, the Rams need O-Lineman and he is the best lineman in the draft, so it is a natural fit. I think we will know more about what the Rams are thinking as free agency period progresses.

by jroman on Jan 2, 2008 10:15 AM CST up reply actions

Barron

I'm not a big believer in Barron. 3 full seasons, he's yet to reduce his penalty numbers, and the sack totals for the line as a whole have been bad for the last two years. Obviously Pace's absence has had a lot to do with that, but I just don't think Barron's the answer to replace him and that's what we need.

by Ryan Van Bibber on Jan 2, 2008 10:17 AM CST up reply actions

No to Barron in 08

I think Barron is a decent enough tackle, however, when the announcers play a game to see how many penalties a 3-rd year FIRST round player gets....it might be time to move on.

by jroman on Jan 2, 2008 11:35 AM CST up reply actions

Take Jake Long

Then focus on a pass rusher in the 2nd round

by Option27 @ Turf Show Times on Jan 2, 2008 10:39 AM CST reply actions

Long

Probably have to go with Jake Long, but I don't know if I take him at number 2. Try to trade down and build up picks. Long would be a development pick, though. Not an immediate starter.

As for who else to get, we should definitely look at middle linebacker Rey Maualuga from USC. This guy is a stud and has the passion of Pisa with greater skills. If you watched the Rose Bowl you'll know what I mean. He could be part of a solution to move Witherspoon to outside linebacker, where he is more effective. We need players that will do anything to win football games. Maualuga is one of them.

I would look into getting a quarterback at some point as well. We need to have a high-upside QB to develop, and Berlin is definitely not that.

by rockin the red on Jan 2, 2008 1:34 PM CST reply actions

Disagree

I think that Jake Long is an immediate starter in the NFL. Probably more likely at RT, but I think he can play LT right away.
Unless you pick a QB, you don't pick someone in the top 5 as a project. The Rams can't spend the big bucks and then sit on their investment.
If they don't think he can start right away, he shouldn't be the 2nd pick of the draft.

by jroman on Jan 2, 2008 4:27 PM CST up reply actions

O-Line

Good point, although I'm not so sold on Jake Long. There are quite a few question marks with him and putting him on a line that really needs another anchor doesn't improve our situation. If we are going to spend top dollar, a guy like Alan Faneca would make more sense, as I think a line with Faneca and Barron would be better than one with Long and Setterstrom. Could we sign Faneca and still pick number 2? I don't know, and especially with picking Jake Long, that's an awful lot invested in the O-Line.

I guess the point is I really don't like picking at number 2. I would trade down and take either of the Longs if they're there. We really need quality depth, however we go about it.

by rockin the red on Jan 2, 2008 9:28 PM CST reply actions

Fair Enough

I definetly think that we should dive into the guard Free Agent market for Faneca or one of the Colts' guards.
We need an offensive line makeover and that would be a good start.
Trading down would be nice, but if we stay at number 2, I still think we should take Jake Long.

by jroman on Jan 3, 2008 7:50 AM CST up reply actions