The St. Louis Rams did pick a receiver with their third round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. The Rams draft results so far include two offensive players and top tier defensive end. The Pettis pick comes after a second round shocker in which the Rams picked Wisconsin TE Lance Kendricks. So who is Pettis and what does he bring to the Rams?
Four years of production at Bosie State don't lie. Pettis' sticky hands and toughness got him 39 career TDs. His 229 catches make him the school's all-time leader.
Pettis isn't the sexy, complete package No. 1 wide receiver that many fans wanted. The biggest knock on the big man is a lack of elite speed (he ran a 4.56 forty). What he does do is make the Rams receivers a more reliable group, better hands, better ability in traffic and a better track record on his medical report than anyone else on the roster.
At 6'3" 209 lbs, there's a reason he had those kind of TD numbers in college, and he'll be a red zone threat with the Rams, something they sorely lacked last year.
Sam Bradford is going to make Austin Pettis (3d rd, pick 78) a slot-receiving star in St. Louis. Love that pick.
Here's the scouting report from NFL Draft Scout:
Not many receivers can list 39 touchdown receptions among their college accomplishments. Then again, not many possess Pettis's focus in traffic. It's a skill that allowed him to overcome a lack of elite deep speed and a minor lower leg fracture his junior year en route to four straight productive seasons.
Is this a reach? Maybe. But the Rams have an interesting, diverse group of receivers and tight ends now. Sam Bradford ought to be enjoying this draft more than anyone.