2012 NFL Mock Draft: St. Louis Rams Forego Andrew Luck With Top Pick

Here's a 2012 NFL mock draft sure to get you talking this morning. Russ Lande at the Sporting News rolled out his 2012 NFL mock draft yesterday, and he has the St. Louis Rams picking in the top spot. Setting aside the fact that the first overall pick would represent a colossal failure that would probably result in a new coaching staff and front office running the Rams' draft, let's look at who the Rams take with that pick in this mock draft.

And the winner is:

South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery. You certainly cannot deny the need the Rams for a player of his caliber. Most consider Jeffery the top receiver likely to be available in this year's draft (remember, he can still opt to stay in college next year). Lande's reasoning for the pick is much the same as yours or mine, I surmise.

The Rams have regressed. An impact receiver like Jeffery is an ideal fit for Sam Bradford, who desperately needs weapons. 

For those of you wondering about the oddity of a wide receiver at the top of the draft, you have to go all the way back to 1996 when the Jets picked Keyshawn Johnson the first overall pick in the draft. 

Lande acknowledges that the Rams, or any other team that already has a young quarterback, would most likely trade the pick for a princely bounty. 

For those of you wanting to more about Jeffery, NFL Mocks has a scouting report.