TST Mock Draft - Round 1 - Turf Show Times

TST Mock Draft - Round 1

by VanRam on Mar 10, 2008 3:22 PM CDT in Events Comment 15 comments

The offseason's kind of like 40 days in the desert, 40 long, brutal days. On the horizon, the draft is the next event of note for NFL fans. We've had a lot of great discussion about the draft here perusing mock drafts across the web and filtering article after article about the various prospects.

It's time to have a draft of our own.

Starting today with Round 1, pick #2, I thought we might as well try to get a Rams fan consensus going, or something approximating that, ahead of the draft. Here's how it will work. WE'll vote in the comments by naming our selection for the round/pick, starting with the first round, second pick today. In addition to naming your choice, offer an explanation of why you feel the Rams should pick that player. It would look something like this:

Vernon Gholston - The Rams need help now with their pass rush. Gholston gives them a young DE with an unstoppable motor who'll rack up plenty of sacks in his first year.

I thought about just using the poll, but we really miss out on the discussion part of it, which is by far the most important part. This way also allows you to pick any player you want and make the case. You want McFadden, vote for him and tell us why. Matt Ryan? Same deal.

After we've got a fair amount of responses, I'll tally up the votes and put together a summary of the discussion for the players we chose.

This is round 1, pick #2. For Round 2, pick #33, I'd like to shoot for Thursday or Friday, but that will depend on the response and whether or not any major events happen this week.

Happy drafting.

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Comments

Gholston

This is a half pick because I say Gholston if Chris Long is off the board.
Dorsey would be good inside, but I think he has peaked (or close to it), Gholston could become something special.
My roommate loves OSU and I've watched most of their games this year. He's got a great motor and never quits on plays, but with more athleticism and ability than Grant Wistrom.

PS - Green is signed. http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2008/03/10/st-louis-rams-sign-trent-green/

by jroman on Mar 10, 2008 4:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

#2 pick) Glenn Dorsey

It's amazing how blown out of proportion good (40yd times) and bad (previous injuries) factiods on a player have become when the draft rolls around. Go back through every article and mock draft during last year's college season and tell me when Dorsey wasn't considered the most special player in the draft. Tell me who was THE best player in THE most important game of the college season. When he won every conceivable defensive player award last year did his fibula act up?
With a chance to figure into a rotation of Carriker, Ryan, and Glover, Dorsey would immediately provide the St. Louis Rams with on of the most vicious defensive middle lines in the NFL. Opposing O-Lines would begin to break down after 3 quarters of these beasts beating the hell out of them due to smart substitutions and constant pressure. You don't even need to kick Carriker out to DE. Let him line up next to Dorsey and have them both swallow up 3 to 4 linemen with LB's and satey/corner blitzes do irrepairable damage to the other team's QB.

by AmpLee on Mar 10, 2008 4:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I love Dorsey

Don't get me wrong, I think he will be a great player.
However, if we play Carriker at End, Dorsey, Ryan, and Little, where will the pass rush come from? Little can only do so much by himself. Granted no one would run on us EVER.
I think the line of Gholston, Carriker, Ryan, Little offers a huge pass rush ability with a solid ability to stop the run.
I'm not grading up Gholston from the combine, but he is quite a specimen. If Chris Long is off the board, I think we need the next best DE.

by jroman on Mar 11, 2008 7:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If we draft Dorsey

with the #2 pick, we have the ability to fortify a nice pass rush by drafting Groves or Harvey and putting them at RDE. Then you have:

RDE Groves or Harvey (in their natural positions)

DT Dorsey

NT Carriker

LDE Little

The only problem I have with Chris Long is that I think he's a better version of Victor Adeyanju. I could be wrong, I hope I am. I just see shades of 5 sacks a year and lots of effort with mediocre results. He seems to have already hit his ceiling. Hopefully, I am wrong because I have a feeling that the Rams have him #1 on their board and will not hesitate to take him if he's available.

by AmpLee on Mar 11, 2008 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmm

Harvey looks to be mid-first, but I like Groves, especially if we start to play the 3-4 more (which would make sense if Dorsey was the pick).
Groves - Draft - Witherspoon - Tinosisamoa

- Carriker - Dorsey - Little

Not bad.

by jroman on Mar 11, 2008 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Chris Long

I honestly feel Chris Long is one of the few immediate impact players in this draft. And better yet, at a position we need more than any other.

Gholston would be nice but I see him still developing. Jake Long would also be nice but I see him coming off the bench is his first year and that wouldn't help much for now.

Any others that are mentioned like Dorsey would make me happy as long as it wasn't taken with the 2nd pick overall. A trade down for one of those guys also makes sense.

Overall, If Chris Long is there, you take him. Also worth noting, this draft is deep in offensive linemen. I say the first pick HAS TO be defensive line help

by Option27 on Mar 10, 2008 6:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It is too tough for me, punt

I can't decide. I am to the point where I trade down a few and take the best available because it is sooooo difficult. Get something in the trade down and just take whatever is left: 2 longs. gholston, ellis, dorsey.

But, thankfully, you are posing the hard question. I just am sooooo confused. OT, DT, DE.

Here is a tough one. If you feel we really need a LB (middle, strong side?) or CB, how do you justify putting this as a first? You can't.

Ok, I am going for it: Dorsey or Gholston 1st round. I reserve the right to change my mind tomorrow. Maybe Jake Long.

P.S. Wasn't Dorsey almost the unanimous pick before the combine/injury questions? Whatever!

one bourbon, one scotch, and one beer.

by chosen1 on Mar 11, 2008 6:35 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ok, my choice is trade down

No lower than 7.

one bourbon, one scotch, and one beer.

by chosen1 on Mar 11, 2008 6:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

trading

trading down would be ideal.

by jroman on Mar 11, 2008 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Chris Long

I guess I probably lean toward Chris Long. The only thing I wonder about is the pass rush though.

by VanRam on Mar 11, 2008 8:13 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

My choice is to trade down also

this team needs so much, I think that quantity is almost as important as quality...frankly, I am afraid of trying to sign the No. 2 pick in the draft...maybe it wouldn't be much better trying to sign number 6 or 7, but the LAST thing this team needs is a lengthy hold out by somebody who will be counted on to contribute right away AND who will have a lot to learn.

I really wish there was a decent WR out there to take in the first round...I know this flies in the face of the needs at OL and DE, but I am not happy at all with who we have at WR and if we were starting the season tomorrow with that crew, we would be in a LOT of trouble.

If we were staying at No. 2, and you held a gun to my head, I guess I would take Dorsey.

by tbell61 on Mar 12, 2008 11:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Draft Choice

Vernon Gholston - The Rams need a playmaker, not simply "a good player" that I think Chris Long will turn out to be. I've had it with drafting defensive tackles too. It's time for some variety.

by rockin the red on Mar 12, 2008 11:59 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If we can't or will not trade down . . .

then I say Chris Long. Established college player, versatile, and consistent. Ideally, trade down a few spots and pick up Gholston, who may be more dynamic but not as consistent. I may be wrong in my assessment, but this is how I am reading the reviews between the two players.

by sccardsfan on Mar 12, 2008 3:41 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Trade it.

In terms of position, we have to look at our O- & D-lines. I agree with the consensus here that D-line should be the priority, but there are some awfully strong O-linemen in this draft that would be great additions.
I think that you can break down the options in 3 positions: 1-8, 9-16, & 17-24.

If we stay at the 2 slot, I would vote for Dorsey, but I wouldn't be upset with taking either Long. Sedrick Ellis is made of glass and I would be furious if we spend a pick on him. Gholston is at the end of this block so if we trade down, he would be a good pick around 6 or 7.

If we trade even further down to the 9-16 group, you have two offensive tackles you could go with (Clady or Chris Williams). If you try to bolster the D-line, Gholston might still be available at the front end. At the back, you have two DE's to choose between. Derrick Harvey could be an interesting pick as a pure pass rushing end and would be a great complement to L-Little. Phil Merling is a bit undersized, but is versatile enough to play in run or pass coverages. He could be a serious stud if his potential pans out.

Some late 1st round line options would be DT Kentwan Balmer (who has already undergone one knee operation), DE Calais Campbell, OT Jeff Otah, or OT Gosder Cherilus.

I am really in favor of trading down because the value of a mid-round draft pick + compensation could boost the lines to set us up for '09.

If I must vote: trade down to 7th or so for Gholston.

Then, now, & always, the greatest show on turf.

by 3k on Mar 13, 2008 5:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This will go on and on, which is good!

I believe Dorsey has a pro day March 26!

Example: "Dorsey's Pro Day went fantastic. He had a verticle leap of 38", a 40 of 4.80, and benched 40 reps at 225. His knee (is it the knee?) seemed great."

Suddenly Dorsey is back in the top 3.

Exaggeration, but who knows?

one bourbon, one scotch, and one beer.

by chosen1 on Mar 13, 2008 5:05 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs