Random Ramsdom 4/7: Robinson vs. Burton

by Ryan Van Bibber on Apr 7, 2009 10:33 AM CDT in 2009 Off-Season

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With Laurent Robinson on board, the WR picture for the Rams looks a little different, hopefully better. While I'd say Robinson's a good bet to land on the 53-man roster, we'll have to wait through more minicamps and August's training camp before we get a clear picture of just exactly how and where he fits into the depth chart.

The player whose role is likely to be most affected if Robinson pans out is Keenan Burton. Robinson is faster and bigger than Burton, though they both carry lengthy injury histories and both carry the "enigma" label. In the perfect world, Robinson and Avery would be the Rams top two WRs with Burton becoming a regular contributor in the slot. However, if Burton and Robinson fail to overcome their physical maladies, the Rams might be running the wishbone after all.

Some links...

There are still some mocks out there that have the Rams picking Texas Tech WR Michael Crabtree, and I doubt the acquisition of Robinson significantly impacts that possibility. The Rams using a pick to draft a WR in the second, thrid or fourth rounds is less likely in the wake of yesterday's trade.
Of course the Rams will consider trading their #2 pick. On April 7, every option is still on the table. The real question is whether or not anyone wants the #2 pick.
Anyone notice the Rams are bringing in a potential second round OT in UConn's William Beatty? OFcourse, he could even slide up into the first, but Beatty's the first of the OTs outside of the top four the Rams have visited with. Should the Rams draft Beatty, they could start him on the right side with Barron on the left. Check out his scouting profile:

A talented athlete capable of becoming one of the surprises of the 2009 draft. In a talented left tackle class, Beatty might be the best combination run blocker. Beatty's burst to the second level and explosive initial pop helped Donald Brown to a 2,000-yard season in 2008. Beatty demonstrated more than enough athleticism to protect the passer, though he was not a true blindside protector when lefty Jared Lorenzen was under center.

Apparently, B.J. Raji did not fail his drug test at the Combine.
DraftTek has some under the radar names you should get to know with the draft approaching.
Joel Klopfenstein is not the league's highest paid TE, but Kellen Winslow's contract might give him something to shoot for. Of course, he'll first have to make the case for the Rams to keep him on the roster after August.

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Comments

Curry first, and hope Beatty falls to us in the second.

Not much drop off from Beatty and J. Smith or Monroe because this years draft is so deep with OT’s.

We get the best player in the draft in Curry and still get a solid OT in the second round to play on the right side.

by rams since day1 on Apr 7, 2009 12:45 PM CDT reply actions

I’m going to have to agree. The second best option would be to trade down: take Maualuga with the then lower first pick, use the second round pick for Beatty, and have an extra pick to play with.

by beek on Apr 7, 2009 4:19 PM CDT reply actions

Draft day Clue?

I think this move takes Crabtree out of the picture.Curry at MLB is the right move,this guy is the real deal,I was sorry to hear about the kid from BC hope his drug test was wrong he seems to b a good player. Curry I think is the replacement for Pisa,and the right pick .

by 39jackson on Apr 7, 2009 4:40 PM CDT reply actions

i think it rules out a WR

in the later rounds, but i still wouldn’t be surprised if they gave serious consideration to one in the first two

by Ryan Van Bibber on Apr 7, 2009 9:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Robinson has potential

but he’s not on the same level as Crabtree

by Ryan Van Bibber on Apr 7, 2009 9:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Curry, Beatty, Barden

Then we have Avery, Robinson, Burton, and Barton as our receivers plus a better defense and O-line

by JoeyBombs on Apr 7, 2009 9:07 PM CDT reply actions

Exactly.

Thats how im hoping it works out….

1.Curry
2.Beatty
3.Barden
4.(best available) CB or DT
5. (best available) whichever position we dont take in the fourth

by rams since day1 on Apr 7, 2009 10:20 PM CDT up reply actions

i dont know about everyone else but i am more comfortable with Barron playing LT (his natural position) rather than RT.

He played well filling in for Pace in recent years.

by rams since day1 on Apr 7, 2009 10:16 PM CDT reply actions

Ideal picks!

I would love to see the draft fall like that, Barden would set the WR corps for the next couple years and then maybe get an Asher Allen for CB in the fourth, only 5-10 but still listed as the fourth best CB in the draft. And then maybe a Mike Goodsen or Cedric Peerman in the 5th to split carries with Jackson, cause Leonard has pretty much failed at that job.

by kickasskeever on Apr 7, 2009 11:18 PM CDT reply actions

Fifth Round.

Yeah we could use the fifth to find a back to compliment Jackson…

BUT

i dont think it would be the best option. We do have Kenneth Darby and i would definitely take Darby over a fifth round pick to be Steven Jacksons backup.

He played well and flashed potential at the end of last year. i think he can be the quick, change of pace back to compliment jackson.

And it would also allow us to draft a DT giving us depth on the d line.

by rams since day1 on Apr 8, 2009 1:03 AM CDT up reply actions

Darby

I am not as sold on Darby being a good compliment, hence why I thought Goodsen or Peerman could be good choices, but I don’t think you will find alot of solid DT’s in the fifth round, even if just for depth. But even if Darby becomes the comp. back, having a third back (cause Leonard is definitely getting cut) will be good if one goes down.

by kickasskeever on Apr 8, 2009 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions

i do believe Darby could be our backup, with that said in the fifth we should go with the best player avaliable….and if thats a running back then im all for it. But it has to be the best player available regardless of position. Im just hoping we could find some quality depth at DT.

by rams since day1 on Apr 8, 2009 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions