Trapped in the house on a snowy Tuesday afternoon, seems like as good a time as any to take a look at a post-Senior Bowl mock draft.
This one comes from Walter Football, and offers an interesting path for the St. Louis Rams.
Let's take a look:
R1: WR Julio Jones - Conventional wisdom has gelled tightly around this pick, and it makes all the sense in the world based on the Rams most obvious need for playmakers. However, it's entirely possible that Jones won't be there when the Rams pick, and the Walter Football crew offers a couple interesting backup options. Don't discount the possibility that the Rams don't opt to draft a receiver in round one. They may feel that the return of Avery and Mark Clayton combined with a late round pick (say an upgraded possession type like Austin Pettis) or a second tier free agent is enough.
R2: TE Kyle Rudolph, Notre Dame - I don't see it, though I am intrigued by the possibility of adding another playmaker in back to back rounds. Fendi Onobun and Michael Hoomanawanui will be the primary receiving tight ends next year with Bajema a blocker and maybe a fourth. I suspect the first two picks will be split between the defensive line and either an offensive lineman (second round only) or a wide receiver like Leonard Hankerson.
R3: DT Jurrell Casey, USC - We mentioned Casey in our look at DTs last night. I think he'd be a steal in the third round, and a guy the Rams could definitely use.
R4: RB Shane Vereen, Cal - This pick or the third round pick could easily be a running back. I'd love to see Kendall Hunter in the Rams draft report. Like the others, he's a complementary back, fast enough to do some damage on the outside, return kicks, catch passes out of the backfield and line up in the slot. He's had injury issues, but is a little bigger than say Derrick Locke or Noel Devine.
Ok, I love three of the four picks here. Thoughts?