It's a very special Valentine's Day mock draft today from SBNation. And if you were looking for a mock that had the St. Louis Rams drafting someone besides Alabama WR Julio Jones, you're in luck.
The two-round mock draft has the Rams picking Purdue DE Ryan Kerrigan with their first round pick, Jones having been picked by Washington at #10 in this mock draft. I like the pick. Kerrigan gives the Rams a great complement to Chris Long on the defensive line. Naturally, he's a high motor guy who has a pretty well-rounded game and can play on either side of the line.
Kerrigan and James Hall and needs along the DL after the jump.
Just how much James Hall has left remains to be seen. He had plenty in the tank last year at 33-years-old. Would they be ready to scale back his reps in 2011 as he and Kerrigan split time? Hall moves inside on some packages the Rams run, something Kerrigan isn't going to do.
As far as pure need goes, I think the Rams need a defensive tackle more. They need a better player next to Fred Robbins, not to mention a potential replacement for Robbins, who turns 34 next month. The way prognostication is looking for the 2011 NFL Draft right now, though, there might not be a tackle available with the #14 pick. Stephen Paea might be a candidate if he can assure teams about his knee injury.
I love the Leonard Hankerson pick in round two of this mock draft. He'd be a perfect complement to the Rams receivers as a physical, solid route runner who can get jump balls. Put him out there with Donnie Avery and Danny Amendola and the Rams could have a nice little under the radar 3 receiver package.