2012 NFL Mock Draft: Mel Kiper Weighs In

Need in this would be Blackmon because everybody can see that even when Sam got time in the pocket, the only reliable option out there was Lloyd and if Lloyd was covered then he couldn’t count on any other receiver to be open. I think this is another reason why he locked onto Lloyd.
BPA would be Kalil and sure the line is a major problem.
I think this could be traced back to a couple of years ago when the Rams had to choose between Sam (need) or Suh (BPA). Either way they go will fill a need but which one do we need in the first round.
Another thing to take into account is just how much this team has invested in the oline and compare that to the wr corps. To go back and dump yet another first round pick on this oline is wasteful IMO and would be neglecting a postion that’s been a need for years and has been put on the back burner. Trying to be settled with later round picks, neither methods have worked.
In all realness, if we stay at the 2 spot Kalil would be better value but Blackmon would put more people in seats and probably also make an immediate impact. If we trade back to the 4 spot Blackmon is and should be the pick..

Drafting Blackmon at 2 would be travesty. We absolutely need someone like Blackmon. But, we also have several other needs that can be addressed with higher value players. Therefore, like others, I propose the following path….

Option 1: Trade down and acquire more picks. The Browns represent the best option of trading down and still drafting Blackmon. The Redskins and Dolphins look interesting as well. Blackmon would not be available in that scenario. However, that would put us in play for a WR like Wright (I bet he jumps into the top 15 picks), Jeffrey (I’d pass), or Floyd (I’d pass). I would put this option at 30% viable.

Option 2: Stay at #2 and draft Kalil and sign Vincent Jackson… We know that Smith is a bust at tackle. We have seen word today that he will likely be cut. Regardless, we need a stud left tackle. This is our guy. Drafting him would fit the Fisher offensive doctrine (run the ball and protect the QB) by fixing two positions on the OL. We would need a big time FA WR in this scenario. Jackson would be a nice target. I would put drafting Kalil at 70%.

We need DJax in FA..

Re-Sign Brandon Lloyd and Danny Amendola, Then get a free agent tight end like Greg Olson, Jermichael Finley, Macedes Lewis or Fred Davis. Trade the first pick with the Redskins(I don’t think the Browns are seriously considering giving up their 2 first round picks. They have as many or more needs as the rams)Daniel Snyder will make a stupid deal for RG3. Take the Skins 1st rounder and sign Martin or Reiff at OT, and use the rest of our picks and most of the redskins addressing other needs. In the vast majority of the playoff games, the tight end has played a much bigger role in the passijng game than the “Big Time” receiver.

would be Kalil. If we stay at 2 and don’t go Kalil then I would go Claiborne before Blackmon. With heavy blitzing coming our way we better have corners that can cover. Until I see that both Bartell and Fletcher are healthy then we desperately need CBs.

Jimmy Clausen.

The Rams have wasted 2 very high 1st round draft picks on bust left tackles. These picks have come at the sacrifice of other just as critical positions. Imagine just how much better this team might be had they drafted players other than Smith and Barron? Not saying Khalil is Smith or Barron, but how many LT’s do you draft in the 1st round before you say enough is enough? If WR is a lesser issue for this team then why did we have so many drops, lack of seperation from coverage, and poor route running? Honestly, if I’m a defensive coordinator I don’t care who’s your best lineman, I can send my safeties and corners in a blitz to overwhelm your line if I’m not afraid of your receivers. Thats the problem that the Rams had all last year. It makes it look like we have a bad offensive line when in reality, defenses didn’t fear our receivers and weren’t afraid of doing zone blitzes or sending their front seven in on a pass rush and going man to man with our receiving core. I’ve said this before, but drafting a great receiver will do a better job of protecting Bradford than Khalil will.

I’d take either one of them. And to say that he’s not as highly heralded as AJ or Julio may be shortsighted. Last year Jones was mocked in the 10-20 range until he blew up the combine. If Blackmon runs a 4.4 he could shoot up draft boards just like Jones did.

I’ll take either one of them, but would prefer to address the OL in free agency and take Blackmon in the 1st. We need playmakers IMO.

while the Rams have their first pick o-lineman doing who-knows-what. Again, Picture Blackmon catching passes from another team’s QB, getting talked about and praised on ESPN and Fox Sports TV, and seeing him pictured Yahoo sports’ homepage in some other NFL uniform making a great catch for a TD for that other team with some cool headline about him being a great addition to that team, and the chemistry he has with his new NFL QB. Picture him being a standout factor his rookie season. Now picture the Rams again, 2012 season, no #1 WR, “maybe” we still have Lloyd and some “eh” free agency moves at WR, but hey we have that big O-lineman rookie to wave againts the new star rookie WR on another team who’s scoring for his team, which was smart and went with a #1 WR in the first round. Please take the opportunity we missed out on last season (no offense Quinn) when the two #1 WRs in the draft were gone when it was the Rams’ turn…GET BLACKMON.

but Blackmon should not be the pick. Drafting him at number two would be a huge mistake.

IF the Rams can get a “well known” good wide reciever in FA,then the Rams should target an OF lineman in the draft & maybe trade down “IF” it is great for the team????,If no trade comes about & a FA reciever is “not” signed in the off season!!,then the Rams “need to!!” draft Blackmon!! only!!,and re-sign Brandon Lloyd!!,Sam “NEEDS” a big wide reciever like Blackmon!!,he’s strong & fast & is 6’ 5" tall he can go up and get those balls in the end zone!!,Brandon can sneak around the end zone area & also catch TD’s he does have great hands!!,then we need to really shake up the OF line!!!,they ALL sucked!!,protecting Sam!!,pitifull & awful!!,and alot of those OF lineman were at one time rated A++’s,but their “money” went to their heads!!, BLOCK for our QB!!!!,GOOO RAMS!!!!!,in 2012!!