Todd McShay, Mel Kiper's fellow draft expert at ESPN, rolled out a 2011 NFL mock draft of his own today, keeping pace I guess. McShay's pick for the St. Louis Rams was the same as Mel Kiper's: Illinois DT Corey Liuget. And what reasoning did he give for the pick? Let's review:
Rams fans are surely crossing their fingers that Jones will fall to this point but that seems unlikely, and there is no outside linebacker on the board who can fill the Rams' second-biggest need. Several players could offer value here but Liuget would fill the biggest need. He is on the shorter side but is quick, stout and powerful, and his motor never stops running. And if there's anything we've learned about Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo it's that he can never have enough quality defensive linemen.
Depending on the players available in the non-Julio Jones category, the Rams may opt for an outside pass rusher like Aldon Smith...or even a falling Robert Quinn. Smith goes 19th in McShay's mock; Quinn goes 6th. Jones is picked by Washington at #10.
And how about the other picks? McShay added rounds two and three to his latest effort.
In round two, McShay has the Rams drafting Kentucky WR Randall Cobb. A former QB with some speed, Cobb would give the Rams offense a few different dimensions. I can't help but think what four-receiver sets with two guys in the slot might look like.
For round three, the Rams stayed with offense, picking North Carolina RB Johnny White. It seems like a little bit of a reach. White could make a nice complement to Steven Jackson, and has the hands to be a versatile receiving threat.