The 2012 NFL Draft is, once again, the best St. Louis Rams have to hope for this season. Right now, the Rams are sitting on the number two pick in April's draft. That could change between now and the end of the season, depending on the fate of the other two-win team, the Vikings. A couple of new 2012 NFL Mock Drafts out today reflect two of the most likely directions for the Rams.
Let's take a look, shall we?
Chad Reuter and Rob Rang of CBSSports.com and NFL Draft Scout have new mocks out today.
Reuter has the Rams picking Matt Kalil, the USC offensive tackle that has become an early consensus top pick this year. He explains thusly:
If the Rams are not interested in keeping struggling former No. 2 pick Jason Smith around, or think he or Rodger Saffold could move to guard, then Kalil will fortify the offensive line.
The idea of moving Smith inside is an intriguing one. Of course, he can't show the consistency there that he's been missing on the outside, it's a wash. Personally, I'm not so sure Smith has much of a future.
Rang suggests another option, two options really.
His pick for the Rams is Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma State.
In a draft as potentially loaded with quarterbacks as this one, the Rams could be the first of three teams in the top five looking to trade down after securing their own franchise quarterback two years ago. Blackmon isn't worthy of the No. 2 overall pick, but the playmaking receiver would pair nicely with Sam Bradford and Brandon Lloyd to give St. Louis a formidable passing attack.
The idea of trading down is incredibly lucrative for a team in such a dire need of depth at so many positions. Accumulating draft picks should be a priority for this franchise, especially if they get some new leadership running things.
Another interesting note from Rang's mock draft is that he has Penn State DT Devon Still being picked third.