The Ten Best Draft Picks of the 2000's
by kevinramsfan on Dec 30, 2009 10:00 AM CST
in St. Louis Rams history
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PrintAs the decade winds down, I'm going to follow ram_rod's lead and share my top ten Rams draft picks of the 2000's. Unfortunately, many of the Rams greats, like Orlando Pace and Tory Holt, were drafted in the previous decade, and were not eligible for this list. As ram_rod showed with his list, the 2000's were a great period to find lousy draft picks rather than good ones made by the Rams. This list is hardly perfect. That being said, I considered a great deal of things when making this list, including pick value, performance with the Rams and overall career performance. In some of these instances, the players had better careers elsewhere. In that case, I blame management for not keeping these players and assume they would have produced at the same level in St. Louis. With all of that out of the way, on to the fun part.
10: James Laurinaitis, LB Ohio State
2009, 35th Overall Selection
Picture via stlouisrams.com
Some of you might be surprised to see the rook on this list. However, I believe there's a strong case for the former Buckeye standout to be in the top 10. In his first NFL campaign, Laurinaitis is among the top 15 tacklers in the NFL, with 115 total. For perspective, that's just six less than Ray Lewis has this season. He also has a sack, two interceptions and a forced fumble to his credit. Rey Maualuga, the vaunted MLB from Southern Cal whom the Rams passed on for Laurinaitis, has only 63 tackles this year (partly due to a move to OLB in Cincinnati). Even this early in his career, James Laurinaitis looks like one of the better picks from the past few drafts and should be the heart and soul of this defense for years to come.
9. Madison Hedgecock, FB North Carolina
2005, 251st Overall Selection
picture from stlouisrams.com
This is the first pick that I struggled putting on here because of his short time with the Rams. For whatever reason, (one that I can't and probably won't ever understand) the Rams unceremoniously parted ways with Hedgecock during the 2007 season. The power blocking fullback went on to contribute to the fourth ranked rushing attack in the NFL in 2007 with the Giants - who oh yeah, won the Superbowl. The absence of a power-blocker led to Steven Jackson's lowest rushing total of his career, aside from his rookie campaign. We've all seen and heard from SJ what a blocking back can do for him, evidenced by his performance this year with Karney. Hedgecock continues to start for the Giants, and I place the blame solely on Scott Linehan for him being there and not in St. Louis.
8. Chris Massey, OL Marshall
2002, 243rd Overall Selection
picture from huntingtonquarterly.com
This is one that I'll probably get flak for, but here's what's up. Massey had been the long snapper for the team essentially since he was drafted seven years ago. There aren't any official stats kept for long-snappers, but unofficially I can't remember him ever causing a bad snap. He'd never missed a game in his career until he went down earlier this year. I don't care what position you play; to get drafted in the seventh round and stay injury free in the National Football League and consistently do your job well is pretty remarkable. Massey deserves to be on this list.
7. Clifton Ryan, DT Michigan State
2007, 154th Overall Selection
picture from stlouisrams.com
Ok, so I don't really have the stats to back this one up, so feel free to disagree. Ryan has played in every game in his career. That, coupled with the fact that he's had an increasingly important role on the D-Line makes me think he's a good player. The Rams really got value with this pick, and he's performed admirably, especially against the run.
6. Ronald Bartell, CB Howard
2005, 50th Overall Selection
picture from bleacherreport.com
Bartell has been a solid addition to the defensive backfield for the Rams. On his career, Bartell has eight interceptions and 230 tackles (with his highest total coming this year with 56 to date). Bartell earned one of the starting corner positions in part because of the Tye Hill flameout and has been a good cover corner during that time. The front office thought so as well, signing him to a big-time 4-year $25 million dollar deal. Bartell was one of the brighter spots in the 2005 draft.
See the top five picks of the decade after the jump.
5. Mark Setterstrom, G Minnesota
2006, 242nd Overall Selection
picture from stlouisrams.com
If I had one word to describe Setterstrom, it would be "solid". A seventh round pick never has any guarantees in the NFL, but Setterstrom has exceeded expectations. Through his three seasons with the Rams, (he was on IR all of 2008), Setterstrom has appeared in 18 games and started 11 of them. According to the official website, he entered 2007 as the starter at left guard, but suffered a season ending knee injury. Setterstrom always seems to play solid, fundamental football and plays within himself. Injuries have kept him out of the starting lineup and kept me from putting him higher on this list. However, the Rams recognized the value they got out of him in the seventh round and resigned him this year.
4. Kevin Curtis, WR Utah State
2003, 74th Overall Selection
picture from life.com
Kevin Curtis showed some flashes of greatness while in blue and gold. I for one remember his 57-yard touchdown against the Falcons in the 2004 playoffs (mainly because I was there). His best year as a Ram came the following regular season in 2005. That year, Curtis had 801 reception yards, caught 6 touchdowns, and averaged 13.4 yards a catch. Without a doubt, Curtis benefited from playing alongside two of the greatest receivers of all-time, but to his credit he made the best of what playing time he saw. He showed he could be his own man when he signed a big contract with the Eagles and proceeded to blow up for 1,110 yards, six touchdowns and an average of almost 70 yards per game. Curtis has caught the injury bug in the past few seasons, but his time with the Rams was very productive. Any player who made plays in the playoffs for the Rams get a vote from me.
3. Pisa Tinoisamoa, LB Hawaii
2003, 43rd Overall Selection
picture from bearsgab.com
Even though the defenses he played on were never stellar, Pisa Tinoisamoa always produced. While with the Rams, Pisa led the team in tackles (2008, 2005, 2004). Pisa was definitely undersized for his position but made up for it with intensity and grit that some players on the current team lack. His rookie year was a sign of things to come - Pisa had 4 forced fumbles, 3 interceptions, 2 sacks and was second on the team in tackles. I personally was frustrated to see him go last year. I think the trio of Witherspoon-Laurinaitis-Tinoisamoa could have done some good things. But who are we to question the Rams front office? They always seem to get it right don't they? Pisa was a great pick by the Rams, and showed it on the field while he was in St. Louis.
2. Oshiomogho Atogwe, S Stanford
2005, 66th Overall Selection
picture from footballsfuture.com
The picture above is what Rams fans have come to expect out of O.J. - taking the ball away from the opposing offense. One of the few bright spots to come out of the 2005 draft. Through his five years with the team, Atogwe has racked up 275 total tackles and 19 interceptions. His best year by far came in 2007, when his eight int's led the NFC. When healthy, O.J. has been a consistent ballhawk and good tackler. And, since he was a third round draft choice (a point in the draft at which expectations for productivity begin to fall off), I had to put him right here at the top. Hopefully the Rams will decide to keep this guy around.
1. Steven Jackson, RB Oregon State
2004, 24th Overall Selection
Picture via stlouisrams.com
No intrigue here. Could number one really go to anyone else? This year alone, Jackson is second in the NFL in rushing 1,353 yards and four touchdowns. Most people know Jackson as a hard-nosed, between-the-tackles runner, and deservedly so. But it's also important to take notice of his speed too. This season, Jackson is third in the league with 10 rushes of 20 yards or more. 2009 will also mark the fifth straight season he's notched over 1,000 yards on the ground. Only two running backs in franchise history have gained more yards in their first five seasons - Eric Dickerson and Marshall Faulk. Pretty excellent company if you ask me. With a career rushing mark of 6,644 yards, Jackson only needs 601 more yards to eclipse Eric Dickerson and become the Rams all-time leading rusher. That, combined with his excellent hands and his less-than-stellar offensive line, Steven Jackson is a no-brainer at number one (perhaps top three or four Ram draft pick of all time).
So let's hear it. Agree? Disagree? How about your own lists?
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2005 draft
You speak poorly of the 2005 draft, but looking back it was probably one of the better drafts the rams had this decade. While Barron has never lived up to his ability, he has played servicably and stayed healthy as well. With the next two picks being Bartell and Atogwe we got two players still starting and playing at high levels. Incognito is now gone, but headache aside was very talented. The middle of the draft didn’t show us much but the seventh round we picked up Fitzpatrick and Hedgecock who have become a good backup QB and great fullback. If we got this much talent in every draft of the decade we would be a much better team.
by Ramfan from Seattle on Dec 30, 2009 10:13 AM CST reply actions
Barron-
I would use him just for an example. Barron is a really talented LT. He has the ability to be a pro-bowler, however it’s his choice not to be. I always have to separate (in my head) those that have it and don’t want it—to those who want it but don’t have the skills. Some really talented guys have come thru the Rams Org. that just didn’t want it so we call them a bust. That’s why they often go somewhere else and really do well.
they are a bust
Alex Barron was a bust. Three Coaching groups couldn’t get a fire lit under his ass. I think that’s enough people before we can consider him a bust.
I believe in 2010
But when comparing that draft to the others of the 00's
it’s head and shoulders better talent-wise. Especially when you look past the 1st round. There are some real crappers of drafts in the other years.
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
I agree.
The 2005 draft was the most successful draft the Rams have had before this past season (and the jury is still out on 2009).
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
Agree but
Massey deserves the #3 spot… maybe even #2
"The greatest accomplishment is not in never falling, but in rising again after you fall." - Vince Lombardi
Disagree
Lots of Pisa tackles came from well-beyond the line of scrimmage. He has injury issues. He was not worthy of a high second round pick.
Atogwe leads ALL NFL players over the last three years for combined forced turnovers: Ints, Forced Fumbles, and Kurt Warner KOs. Not bad for a 3rd rouder.
Chris Massey
I think your choice of Massey deserves credit for value. I’ve been a detractor of Masseys but not because of a wasted pick. The position of longsnapper itself is one I’d like to see deleted for say another OL. Whos to say that couldn’t be a long snapper as well though. For the 243rd pick his value is great. The fact that he never made the news until his injury speaks to his contributions.
Long snappers are often overlooked.
It’s a skill to deliver a long snap. Often, like offensive linemen or referees, people don’t notice long snappers until they screw up which makes many people think that just any person can do it.
First of all, the long snapper spends a lot of time with the punter and the kicker/holder. That is time that if the LS were to be one of the regular offensive linemen, would be taken away from their practice with the offense.
Ultimately though, just because a position is void of stardom doesn’t make it an easy position to play or an irrelevant position. Quite the contrary. Saying that any o-lineman could probably just fill the LS position is like asking why a team wastes a roster slot on a punter since the kicker could probably just fill that role too.
Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
by Tackle Box on Dec 30, 2009 12:53 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
On Atogwe
Lets just hope this never happens again
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0912/all-decade.top.si.photos.of.the.decade/content.39.html
Tye Hill syndrome
Tye thought (and said) that he would come in and go to the Pro bowl his first Year, because of the easy success he had in college. Suh, in some articles, believe that he will come in as a mauler, and every one will fall down in his shadow. He may find out what Smith found out—any high pick is going to be a target for 31 other teams to pound on. Surly Suh knows that the DL position is not going to be a pushover and a sure thing the way Tye and other draftee’s found out.
Hill
Wasn’t Hill drafted using Al Davis criteria? Fastest 40 = great player. Who cares if his hips aren’t fluid, he repeatedly fails to square up on defensive coverage, and never turns his head around at the QB. These things do not make a good CB (sarcasm intended).
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