FanPost

Mock For Future Rocks

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April 26th, the annual Superbowl that all fellow Rams fans await for is fast approaching. It is where all football fans forget about the past season and focus on the young prospects we hope that can lead the team to the next level, or in our case, a winning record. With that being said, we are in the midst of a new regime with two interesting characters. GM Snead, whose confidence is almost contagious, is behind the desk making all the moves. It wouldn't surprise me, come draft day, if he pulled a major move to remind us all he's THE MAN. Then you have coach Fisher and Co. who pretty much have done it all. They look forward to build a team that wins division titles consistently and competes week in and week out. Therefore, the draft is their opportunity to establish their own cornerstones to what I hope becomes a successful franchise.

For my mock, the scenario that I am going by for the first 5 picks is the following :

Colts take Luck

Skins take RGIII

Vikings take Kalil

I have the Browns trading their pick with the Dolphins. We all witnessed the horrid off season the Dolphins had. They need to sell tickets. If the Browns and the rest of the media can sell the fact that they will take Tannehill at #4 that may push the the Dolphins to make a desparate move and trade up. Drafting Blackmom at this spot wouldn't be out of the question either. He would be off the board by the time the Dolphins pick. After all, they did lose Brandon Marshall

And at #5 I have the Bucs picking Claiborne. Obvious need.

So who does that leave us??

Trent Richardson RB 5'9", 228 lbs.

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--- First of all, let's say both Blackmon and Richardson are on the board. NO ONE, NO ONE can convince me that Fisher will take Blackmon over Richardson. Impossible. We all know Fisher as an old school type of coach. First Down-Run. Second Down-Run. Third Down-Pass. He even hired an offensive coordinator who pretty much works off of a two back system. Enter Trent Richardson, whose often compared to Steven Jackson. Who can disagree? This dude is a complete stud who has all the tools to be successful at the NFL level. Sam you need a safety blanket because your receivers suck? Not only are his hands great for a runningback (he doesn't fumble) but his hands are more reliable than Gibson's. Sam you need more time because your lineman suck? God dammit. Line Trent Richardson and Steven Jackson side by side and I bet they'll provide more time than what our current OLine provides. (Sarcasm, but sadly probably true). Just by looking at Richardson's tape it's hard not to be impressed. I am not talking about his highlights, by his regular play by play tape. The way he fights and works for 5 measly yards is impressive. He's very patient when it comes in making his first cut and his vision along with natural strength allows him to enter the second and third lines of the defense with ease. Fisher has a quarterback, I bet he wants his own running back as well.

From Marshall Faulk. To Steven Jackson. Enter now the Trent Richardson era. I hope this is the case.

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So with that being said, we have the #33 and #39 pick of the 2012 Draft. Can you guess where I am going with these picks? Sorry I don't have us drafting any receivers in the second round. I am going directly to the trenches with these picks. The engine of the offense and arguably the defense as well.

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With the 33rd Pick in the 2012 NFL Draft the Rams select

Mike Adams OT 6'7", 323 lbs.

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---I've read many comments that have said, "Oh Fisher is going to draft lineman in the mid to late rounds and coach them up." That is Fisher's style, but it's not going to cut it this time folks. GM Snead made it clear, THEY WILL protect their quarterback. Therefore, that requires an investment of one of our second round picks. When I look at our cap room my first thought is, "Jason Smith stop wearing a Rams Uni and give me my money back you underachieving noob." But hey thats just me. I am sick and tired of having O line issues. We need prospects in this area. Granted...Mike Adams is no perfect prospect. His combine performance may have in fact pushed him to the second round. Questions mainly relate to his work ethic or lack of and his shakiness as far as run blocking. Sam needs one of the best pass blockers there is in this draft, and that is what we are getting with Mike Adams. Lets get our money's worth from Fisher to coach up this kid into who Jason Smith was supposed to resemble.. Orlando Pace...

With the 39th Pick in the 2012 NFL Draft the Rams select

Jerel Worthy DT 6'2", 308 lbs.

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---In my opinion our Dline is still weak. Langford without a question was a huge improvement, but there is still work to be done. Worthy may very well not be on the board by this pick, but its definitely not an exaggeration. No need to fear because there are many DTs on the same tier as Worthy in the second round. DTs such as Brandon Thompson from Clemson, Devon Still from PSU, and Kendall Reyes from UConn. Lets be clear, I am not asking for a Ndamukong Suh with this pick, I just want someone that can protect JL55 PLEASE!! Its funny if you think about it, we cant protect our actual quarterback OR our quarterback on defense haha. Someone that can fill the gap, bring some respect back to our run defense. We can all tell how much Fisher values the DLine just by this offseason. His explosion off the line is very impressive and has a very nice repertoire of moves he uses effectively.

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Stephen Hill has been a hot subject at TST for one of our second round picks. Frankly hes a sexy pick for sure, however, I have someone else in mine that comes with less risk and just about the same ceiling as Hill. I will address that with the fourth round pick.

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Anyways........ moving on to our third pick, I am not sure how this front office views WR Sanu. I doubt he would be available by the third round. If GM Snead can trade up and snatch Sanu, I am all for it. The dude is an absolute baller. If we don't trade up and Sanu is not on the board........

With our third round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft the Rams select

Mychal Kendricks OLB/ILB 5'11", 240 lbs.

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--- Speed Please. Explosiveness Please. Thanks Fish. Kendricks could very well be our weakside linebacker of the future. God help Worthy but he alone cannot overhaul our Run D. Since Kendrick's stock is going up maybe a trade 10-15 spots up would be ideal in securing him. The defense is the source of Fisher's ego, he definitively will be investing draft picks on it. This is a solid pick I hope many fans are excited for because I know I sure will be. What we have with Kendricks, is a fast, strong and athletic player with an impressive motor. He plays bigger than he is and also look bigger than he is at just under 6 ft. Many question his height, but to heck with that, the effort and speed at which Kendricks plays overshadows his measurables.

With our fourth round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft the Rams select

Tommy Streeter WR 6'5", 219 lbs.

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---My main argument for Streeter is this, he is a prospect very similar to Stephen Hill, but a fourth round pick. Less Risk on our part. We all know Stephen Hill and by his many names. The workout warrior or the project. He lit up the forty yard dash with an impressive time of 4.30. With his size and speed of course he turned many heads. There is very little tape on Hill due to the type of offense he was in. There happens to be very little tape on Streeter as well. But you compare both of them what you see is this... First of all, Streeter is bigger than Stephen Hill. Hill had a forty time of 4.30 seconds, while Streeter posted a time of 4.34 seconds in the combine. Those are facts for everyone obsessed with measurables. So..... what do I see in Tommy Streeter? I don't see a future Calvin Johnson or Andre Johnson. Streeter in my opinion resembles a Randy Moss with his skinny frame and size. His first impact would be in stretching the field by specializing in running the go route. Hell if he becomes half of what Randy Moss was, that would be huge for us. Some say Streeter's speed didn't show when playing on the field. My answer to that is that this was his first real year in the offense. Having only one year under his belt, it provides a reason as to why he is projected in the 3rd to 4th round. Its up to our coaches to realize his full potential so that in the end we have a viable vertical threat. I would be very excited with this pick.

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That concludes my picks for the four rounds. To say the least, if these picks did happen.... I would be ecstatic.

You would notice a significant change in our offense with the combined efforts of T Richardson, Mike Adams and Tommy Streeter.

Streeter stretches the field, while Mike Adams provides the time for Sam to unleash his cannon arm. T Rich is the animal in the back waiting to get his shot at the rock.

I also made sure to focus on improving our Run D by adding Worthy and Kendricks. Worthy provides a young prospect for DT which we havent had for a while now and Kendricks makes his immediate impact with his speed and explosiveness.

In next years draft, I believe we will look at adding safeties and cornerbacks. But I always believe in the philosophy that you build a team from the inside out not vice versa (i.e Blackmon)

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With our 6th and 7th round picks. STACK THE BIG BOYS please. Draft Lineman on both sides.The Big Uglies is a good article on late round prospects. On the offensive side I am sure Fisher has some tricks up his sleeves.

Thank you for reading.

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