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Draft week is here. The 2011 NFL Draft happens Thursday, starts Thursday. For St. Louis Rams fans it's like the Super Bowl...until the team is actually ready for the Super Bowl. Lots of things on the agenda this week, so let's get right into it.
2011 NFL Draft predictions
Rob Rang offers up some interesting draft predictions. After declaring that at least five QBs will go in round one, Rang makes a couple that are interesting to the Rams. First, he says Wisconsin G John Moffitt will be the best interior lineman in this class, and probably a third round pick. He also says that RB Taiwan Jones won't stay healthy for a full season.
Local prospects with big draft stock
A number of players with ties to the St. Louis area or from local colleges figure to be first and second round draft picks. Mizzou DE Aldon Smith, from the Kansas City area, and Illinois DT Corey Liuget are both potential picks for the Rams in the first round.
Browns down to two players or a trade at six overall
According to a report in the Akron Beacon Journal, the Cleveland Browns plan on targeting two players with the sixth overall pick. If they're not available, the team will seek a trade. The players they're believed to be looking at are WR A.J. Green and a defensive linemen, possibly Marcell Dareus. This could have big implications on the Rams, shaking up the first half of the first round. At the very least it's (possibly) one less team interested in drafting Julio Jones.
Ray Dominguez 2011 NFL Draft Prospect Notes
The Arkansas OT has an NFL future on the inside at guard. His size, 6'4" 334 lbs, and quickness make him a solid straight line blocker. He could be a nice middle round pick for a OL needy team like the Rams.
Stefen Wisniewski 2011 NFL Draft Prospect Notes
Wisniewski from Penn State has played both OG and C, though center looks like his best position where he can use his football smarts and quickness. The question for him at guard is whether or not he has the strength at the pro level.
Are NFL teams devaluing tailbacks?
The timing of running back Mark Ingram's selection will provide one of the compelling elements of the NFL draft, because it will reflect not only on the skills of the 2009 Heisman Trophy winner but also on the value attached to his position.