Round two mock draft: Offense or defense for the Rams?

by Ryan Van Bibber on Apr 29, 2011 11:00 AM CDT in 2011 NFL Draft

Teams and pundits have shuffled their draft boards after the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. As a result, a slew of round two mock drafts have popped up across the web today. Which direction to the second round mock drafts have the St. Louis Rams heading, offense or defense? After last night's pick of DE Robert Quinn, it's hard to ignore the need for offensive playmakers. They could also use a defensive tackle, and the second round has several options there too.

SBNation's second round mock draft predicts the Rams taking Boise State WR Titus Young. Comparisons to DeSean Jackson, i.e. the guy the Rams passed up to draft Donnie Avery in 2008, make this an awfully attractive pick. I still doubt it will happen.

North Carolina WR Greg Little is the first player off the board in SBN's round two mock draft, followed by Kyle Rudolph. I'd love to see the Rams be in the mix for either of those players, but will they drop that far in the second round?

Rob Rang's round two mock draft starts off with DE Jabaal Sheard, probably the best player available at this point. Many thought he's be a first-round pick. Rang has the Rams picking Notre Dame TE Kyle Rudolph, which is highly plausible if he falls that far. Cleveland stops the slide for Da'Quan Bowers with the 37th pick. Leshoure gets drafted by Washington at #41, making sure they get to steal one of the Rams' top picks since Julio Jones wasn't available for them last night.

Chad Reuter's round two mock draft has Da'Quan Bowers as the first player off the board, followed by Akeem Ayers. Ayers would most certainly be in the mix for the Rams if he's there when they pick, but he won't be. He has the Rams taking OLB Bruce Carter.

Other than Ayers, a big if with the 47th pick, the Rams will not draft an OLB in the second round. Spagnuolo and his staff hew to the idea of picking 4-3 OLBs later in the draft (though I think they'll find one in FA) for value.

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Negative

If Ayers is there, he is too good to pass on. However, I have a feeling that Cleveland will land him…

I still like cannon as a 2nd rounder. The offense needs some desparate help. Otherwise we may pick the safety from UCLA who is a ball hawk, but cannot tackle.

by 81 Witness on Apr 29, 2011 11:09 AM CDT reply actions

cannon

unfortunately, has cancer. I wish him a fast and complete recovery!

by mcihaelT on Apr 29, 2011 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions

at the rate this is going

best player available may still come into play at #47.
Probably grab the best DT or RB with the next pick.
Love to see Aaron Williams or Kyle Rudolph in a Rams uniform.

by ZamRam on Apr 29, 2011 11:11 AM CDT reply actions

What about Rodney Hudson?

I think he would be extremely good value at OG

Follow me on Twitter, if you're bored: lannyosu

by RamBuck on Apr 29, 2011 11:14 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

If you're right about a FA OLB...

… like Lawson or McIntosh, I would say NO to Young as he is not what the team needs (a true #1 WR). Sure he COULD be like DeSean Jackson, but he could also be like Avery. I’m warming up to the idea of Rudolph, if only for the sake of value. Same goes for Leshoure (although I think Michael Bush would be a great FA signing). What I’d really love is either Paea or Williams. Paea collapsing the pocket and eating up blockers would give the team a GREAT D-Line and help out all areas of the D. And Williams, with his versatility, would help out the secondary. Additionally, both of them represent great value, as some mocks had Williams going in the 1st, and Paea might have been a 1st rder if he didn’t hurt his leg.

by mcihaelT on Apr 29, 2011 11:18 AM CDT reply actions

I like the Rudolph pick

but just like the Quinn pick, it would be filling a position that honestly doesn’t technically need to be filled right way, but I am okay with that.

Quinn and Rudolph in the first two rounds would be a dream to me.

Sam Bradford

by Jombari on Apr 29, 2011 11:22 AM CDT reply actions

Also, if we did pick those two

Neither of them really played football last year, which concerns me. Having our first two picks not even on the playing field in over a year is worrying.

Sam Bradford

by Jombari on Apr 29, 2011 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions

Haha, reading your sig right after your post made me chuckle.

We could just make that our draft strategy. Worked with Bradford!

by kswiss on Apr 29, 2011 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions

im thinking we'll go defense in round 2

aaron williams, rahim moore possibly? Maybe marvin austin will be there, and at the same time you cant argue with kendall hunter or torrey smith either.

by caliramsfan1 on Apr 29, 2011 11:32 AM CDT reply actions

Marvin Austin

won’t be there. But how much would it cost us to move up to the top of the second? A 4th or 5th? I think it would be worth it. Combine his athleticism in the middle with robert quinn’s speed and long’s strength/motor and our line would be truly terrifying.

by jdstl on Apr 29, 2011 11:34 AM CDT reply actions

agree

our dline would be in excellent shape. As far as a trade up, not sure devaneys droolin over austin, only the mysterious db he mentioned. Im thinkin its a.williams, gilchrist or dowling

by caliramsfan1 on Apr 29, 2011 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions

actually cali...marvins very high on the rams draft board. they talked about him in quinns press conference.

man rams fans imagine…

long
austin
robbins
quinn…….?

LIKE THAT ONE NFC WEST PERSONNEL GUY SAID ABOUT OUT 1ST PICK…“ITS JUST NOT FAIR FOR THE REST OF THE NFC WEST”! you know it!!

by Mark Jaramillo on Apr 29, 2011 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions

coach spags also stated in the press coverage that "you can never have enough of the big guys in the middle"

so i can see that senario that the rams might trade up to grab austin.

by Mark Jaramillo on Apr 29, 2011 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions

wasn't that big guys on both sides of the ball?

that you can’t have enough of. That might mean OG next

by RamintheUK on Apr 29, 2011 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions

good to know

i like him, and dtackle is still got to be a top priority, although i believe he’ll be gone and we’ll go db wr or rb

by caliramsfan1 on Apr 29, 2011 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions

Looking at the pick value chart

looks like it was cost a 4 and a 5, plus the Broncos/Patriots might want him and ask for even more. Would next year’s second and a 4th be too steep a price given our need for depth almost everywhere?

It’s not often a talent like Austin is available in the second.

by jdstl on Apr 29, 2011 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions

In a word....yes

We need picks more than we need any single player. He’s good but I think he’s a smokescreen.

Wolf. Wolfgang Wolf

by dbcouver on Apr 29, 2011 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions

your right, unless devaney has something up his sleeve for free agency? barry coefield lerhaps?

because he did state that the rams are not going to trade up/down and lose draft picks there staying put.

by Mark Jaramillo on Apr 29, 2011 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions

What about G Rodney Hudson ?

"For Better or for Worse; 'Till Death Do Us Part"

GO RAMS !!!

by Le Ram on Apr 29, 2011 11:35 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

they need DT for the 2nd round. im praying marvin austin's there for us! all the other dt's after austin isnt worth a 2nd rd pick.

by Mark Jaramillo on Apr 29, 2011 11:38 AM CDT reply actions

No

Cofield in 2011-12

by 81 Witness on Apr 29, 2011 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions

so your willing to see the rams give up a future pick? for this yr? and next? if its reasonable ya do it!!

damn rams fans, im imaging the scenario of the rams defense sending wave, after wave of players at opposing offenses!

long/selvie
robbins/coefield/austin?
hall/quinn/ah-yuh….

ya need a breather seattle, ariz, san fran?

by Mark Jaramillo on Apr 29, 2011 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions

im against the rudolph pick

smoke screen ala ingram

by caliramsfan1 on Apr 29, 2011 11:53 AM CDT reply actions

49er fan here

Let’s see who got the better pass rusher :P

Honestly though, I hope you guys are as scared of Aldon Smith as I am about facing Quinn twice a year. Because I’m pretty concerned. I think the NFC West is on the way up, though, so let’s get some credibility to the division!

Also, for what it’s worth, I think Bradford would be best served with a good WR. (Titus Young?)

by brundylop on Apr 29, 2011 11:53 AM CDT reply actions

Not so much, really

but that’s because Quinn>Smith, and Saffold & Smith>Davis, Staley & Boone

by RamintheUK on Apr 29, 2011 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions

Reading the Titus Young scouting report

I think he’s a much better prospect than Avery. Young is more than fast, he’s apparently a great, fluid route runner.

And it’s easy to forget how vital that ability is. Bruce has the (3rd most??) receiving yards ever and his main was skill was near-perfect route running. Same with Jerry Rice, to an extent. Neither are burners, just masters of the receiving craft.

Disclaimer: Not trying to compare Titus Young to Jerry Rice.

by jdstl on Apr 29, 2011 11:58 AM CDT reply actions

Titus Young would be great in Horns

Great route runner and great hands. I’ve watched him plenty and I see him being a great WR in the NFL

"SJAX" - The extra strength cleaner that fights off that Stubborn, Stingy Defense

by moy on Apr 29, 2011 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Marvin Austin

Would be a great choice in round two. It gives them the 3 tech that they want.

by ValdezY on Apr 29, 2011 12:18 PM CDT reply actions

shivers

long
austin
robbins
quinn……….

by Mark Jaramillo on Apr 29, 2011 12:23 PM CDT reply actions

lord knows we need more help on offense

but if the right guy on defense falls to us we gotta take him. id love for austin or ayers to fall but that probably wont happen

"Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds."

by Buck Nasty87 on Apr 29, 2011 12:24 PM CDT reply actions

Not Titus Young, please.

Not a big fan. The DeSean Jackson comparisons are a stretch in terms of skill level, despite his style.

by Abrantes on Apr 29, 2011 12:27 PM CDT reply actions

so....royal wedding?

Needed: Ping Pong table. Anyone wanna donate $78 million?

by sergey606 on Apr 29, 2011 12:29 PM CDT reply actions

man i'm so tired hearing about this damn wedding..lol

by diehardram87 on Apr 29, 2011 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions

hey, don't knock the wedding

that massive taxpayer expense got me today off work, which meant I could watch the whole draft.

Brilliant!

by RamintheUK on Apr 29, 2011 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions

haha, jk

hope we somehow get Ayers or Austin

Needed: Ping Pong table. Anyone wanna donate $78 million?

by sergey606 on Apr 29, 2011 12:30 PM CDT reply actions

Young or Little would do for me

Give Bradford some reliable hands

Get some impact players!!

by RG31 on Apr 29, 2011 12:32 PM CDT reply actions

I hope we pick up Taiwan Jones at some point during the draft (3rd rd?)

He represents to me the ideal running back to complement Jackson.

by TheBirds on Apr 29, 2011 12:42 PM CDT reply actions

Would love Taiwan Jones

He does have injury concerns though but if we can’t get him I’d love to pick up Noel Devine much later in the draft.

by richter122 on Apr 29, 2011 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions

there are what, 8 players

that represent good value…hopefully they all won’t be picked

"Doin' blow off a strippers nipple" -VanRam

by Eric Nagel on Apr 29, 2011 1:00 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER TIER II RECIEVER

We should shore up the LB’s/DT if carter, ayers, austin, etc… are still around…grabbing someone like torrey smith seems to be just like adding another status quo to the receiving corps that doesnt have much openings on it anyway

I really think it would be interesting to look into signing reggie bush as a compliment/ pass catcher to steven jackson and let bradford fool around with an intriguing offense

by Bronx_Bomber26 on Apr 29, 2011 1:09 PM CDT reply actions