2012 NFL Mock Draft: Rams Find Much Needed Speed

by Ryan Van Bibber on Dec 21, 2011 3:30 PM CST in 2012 NFL Draft

TALLAHASSEE, FL - NOVEMBER 12: Lamar Miller #6 of the Miami Hurricanes rushes during a game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium on November 12, 2011 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

It's going to be an interesting offseason for the St. Louis Rams. Coaching changes, front office changes, free agents, the months between now and the first of May will have more drama and stories than you can imagine. Of course, the 2012 NFL Draft is in there too, which most of you are already thinking about, even with two games left to play.

Out of all the positions to target, the Rams really need to come away from the next draft with a blue chip offensive playmaker, at least one. Hopefully, the conditions will exist for that player to make an impact right away, even without hitting their peak, but we've been nailed by the expectations before.

I wanted to quickly point out a 2012 NFL Mock Draft from Optimum Scouting because I like the direction it takes for the Rams.

In the first round, they have the Rams picking third, where they will likely pick based on the way the season looks to play out over the last two weeks. And with that pick the Rams select...

Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State

Adding Brandon Lloyd doesn't take this team out of the receiver mix at the top of the draft. If Sam Bradford is to be their franchise quarterback, they'll really need to give him weapons, as he needs talent around him more than some young quarterbacks to be successful. Blackmon is a bit of a risk, but if Josh McDaniels sticks around as the offensive coordinator, he could view Blackmon as a better version of a first rounder he took a few years back, the raw DeMaryius Thomas of Denver.

At this point, Blackmon looks like the best receiver in the class, a draft class not exactly brimming with receivers. Trading down would still be the best option, because Blackmon is not as good of a player as Julio Jones or A.J. Green, and taking him with the third pick would be a bit of a reach.

And in the second round, this mock has the Rams picking...

Lamar Miller, RB, Miami

The Rams have already been rumored to be "clearing house". If that's the case, Stephen Jackson is likely the first one gone. Miller is a fringe 1st rounder himself, and a potential feature back.

I love, love, love this pick, but it's possible Miller goes in the first round. The Rams should have taken a running back last year, and Miller still makes sense if Steven Jackson sticks around in 2012.

Miller's speed, 4.3 speed, is one thing the Rams offense so desperately missed these last few seasons. Witness their attempts to run on the outside against Cincinnati last week, when the speed of the Bengals defense made it all but impossible to convert on those (not that the Rams didn't keep trying in the face of sheer futility).

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I think the Rams HAVE to go OL with their first pick

Must must must. Even if they trade down. Bradford’s already turning into mush.

"Doin' blow off a strippers nipple" -VanRam
Hit me up on Facebook and Twitter. You know you want to.

by Eric Nagel on Dec 21, 2011 3:35 PM CST reply actions

I agree we need OL help badly

We should try o trade our 1st rounder to get a 1st round and an extra 2nd round pick, then pick a OT with the 1st round pick. I do like the Miller pick though but would have him back up SJ for a yr or two. With the other 2nd round pick go OLB

by ChrisL951 on Dec 21, 2011 3:40 PM CST reply actions

this makes me mad but....

Pettis is suspended 4 games for performance enhancing drugs……2 this year. 2 this year….shameful sucky season.

WE SUCK. THAT IS ALL.

by RAMSALLTHEWAY on Dec 21, 2011 3:50 PM CST via mobile reply actions

You have got to be shitting me.

That’s good for your roster spot security, dumbass!

Formerly JBaccSTL. Been losing sleep over Rams football since 1999.

by Joe Mazzi on Dec 21, 2011 4:03 PM CST up reply actions

and wallet.

Overall, the four-game suspension will cost Pettis $101,765 in base salary.

Formerly JBaccSTL. Been losing sleep over Rams football since 1999.

by Joe Mazzi on Dec 21, 2011 4:04 PM CST up reply actions

That sounds like a McDaniels Man to me!

"Doin' blow off a strippers nipple" -VanRam
Hit me up on Facebook and Twitter. You know you want to.

by Eric Nagel on Dec 21, 2011 4:18 PM CST up reply actions

Stupid

Assed kid.

by ThomasZ on Dec 21, 2011 4:49 PM CST up reply actions

I wouldnt be mad at this draft

We have to get some lineman in FA though

Ignorance is Bliss

by RG31 on Dec 21, 2011 4:08 PM CST via mobile reply actions

Get Blackmon!

Trade and move other pieces to move up for an OT.
But get Blackmon to play with Lloyd.

by look closer on Dec 21, 2011 4:14 PM CST reply actions

It will open the door, for Kendricks and Amendola.

by look closer on Dec 21, 2011 4:15 PM CST reply actions

man

Lloyd, Blackmon, Amendola and an improving Kendricks sounds SO much better than this year.

by daniell on Dec 21, 2011 4:18 PM CST up reply actions

Forget improving

I’ll take 2011 pre-season Kendricks any day. The 2011 reg season Kendricks sucks.

"To crush the Seahawks, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentation of the women."

by STLRambler on Dec 22, 2011 9:50 AM CST up reply actions

taking blackmon a reach?

the only reason thats plausible i because of certain teams needs for a qb. he might not be green, but he better the jones.

by Tampa_Ram on Dec 21, 2011 4:29 PM CST reply actions

yes a reach

“he may not be aj green”. that automatically makes him a reach. aj green is the exception. not the rule… you dont reach on players just because you need one in his position. trade down, take kalil, or take claiborne. JMHO

by Ram_Redemption on Dec 21, 2011 4:48 PM CST up reply actions

Jackson is the first one gone?

Anyone who says

The Rams have already been rumored to be “clearing house”. If that’s the case, Stephen Jackson is likely the first one gone.

Has already made me believe they are are an idiot and I should not listen to anything they say.

Thanks for the read. You should check out my website http://dmattox.webs.com/

by DMan83 on Dec 21, 2011 4:58 PM CST reply actions

yup

they really have no clue lol

http://brotherspork.wordpress.com/

Follow @infemousss

by Infemous on Dec 22, 2011 3:31 AM CST up reply actions

Jackson is on the downside of his career

All you have to look at are his age, injury history and his declining ypc. With one exception (2009) his numbers are in decline.

He will clearly be in his 30’s when Sam is in his prime years. So why not trade him now to a contender and get something in return? Sjax also deserves to get to the post season.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/5549/steven-jackson

"To crush the Seahawks, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentation of the women."

by STLRambler on Dec 22, 2011 9:55 AM CST up reply actions

DUMBEST mock draft YET

Yeah if Stan the owner does decide to “clean house” you really think he’s going to cut our best, most consistang, ALL-PRO running back? Are you out of your mind?! This teams need’s to be built around Long, Luaranitis, and Quinn on the defensive side. Then Bradford, S. Jackson, and whoever we might draft in the first round. My pick is Blackmon, Claiborne or Kalil- in that order. When the team is as bad as our’s you don’t draft for need you draft best player available to make the biggest inpact in the future, whoever has the best chance to be an all-pro right away ie: patrick willis, clay mathews, demarcus ware, someone like that

by AFireInside661 on Dec 21, 2011 5:28 PM CST reply actions

Wouldn't that be Kalil?

"Doin' blow off a strippers nipple" -VanRam
Hit me up on Facebook and Twitter. You know you want to.

by Eric Nagel on Dec 21, 2011 5:39 PM CST up reply actions

Probably so..

But it just bothers me that we’ve drafted Jason Smih so high, and Saffold seems to be a legitimate LT with Smith being a solid RT. Saffold gave up less than two sacks last season and i think our o-line woes are due more to injuries, the lack of a off-season to get the o-linemen accustomed to the new system, and defenses selling out on the run against us because they don’t respect our passing attack. I think Lloyd, Blackmon, and Amendola with Gibson and Alexander as reserves is as solid as they come to a WR corps. And Saffold, Bell, Wragge/Brown, Daul, Smith is more than capable WHEN HEALTHY to protect Sam. I wouldn’t mind Kalil but it would suck to lose out on the next Calvin Johnson or Rod Woodson of the next decade. Maybe even trade the pick to draft down but still stay in the top 10 and try to steal one of the earlier mentioned and get another low 1st rounder or high 2nd rounder

by AFireInside661 on Dec 21, 2011 5:55 PM CST up reply actions

Blackmon and Miller....No F'ing way

I would love that.

"Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no PLAYOFFS."
Winston Churchill

by SMASH44 on Dec 21, 2011 5:55 PM CST reply actions

Definately, but..

Miller isn’t even the top and/or best running back in the draft. I know he’s from the U and is a stud burner but Trent Richardson is easily the best all-around RB in college football. 6yd average 20 TD’s 1600 yds rushing

by AFireInside661 on Dec 21, 2011 6:03 PM CST up reply actions

Yeah well, your not going to find Richardson in the 2nd

Miller you might.

Sam Bradford

by Jombari on Dec 21, 2011 6:27 PM CST up reply actions

Speed at running back

Sorely needed. SJ39 is a warrior but he usually gets hurt every year. He has a lot of mileage on the odometer and should be 2nd string next year or split carries with a young stud.

by Mister T on Dec 21, 2011 7:54 PM CST reply actions

I really

Want Trent, but we have some good wide receivers I think Danario Alexander gets his knee cleaned out rehab it we can build him into a star he’s 6’5" 220 that’s solid. We go for trent and let SJ39 groom him. Second round we go for a corner a good solid corner. Our safty spots are good mikel and stewart good combo. We need good line backers to help animal jr out.

(Love by many hated by most) St. Louis Rams

by J-RAD2 on Dec 21, 2011 9:57 PM CST via mobile reply actions

Great Picks! Blackmon and Miller

Would be great. I disagree with letting SJAX; he can still play a major role on offense. He is not done. A backfield with SJAX, Mike Tolbert, and Miller would be rough on a defense.

by ValdezY on Dec 21, 2011 10:13 PM CST reply actions

they were discussing on a local am radio station today...

That if the Colts won another game and the Rams lost out they could wind up with the No. 1 pick. That pick would net the Rams 4 first round draft picks and two second round picks if they trade down with someone like the Redskins or Dolphins. That sounds Herschelwalkerelian to me. I would love to see that scenario play out for us

I'm suffering from an extreme case of laurinaitis!

by NachoD on Dec 22, 2011 1:12 AM CST via mobile reply actions