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The St. Louis Rams needed a defensive tackle, another defensive tackle after signing free agent Kendall Langford in March. Les Snead and Jeff Fisher drafted one on Thursday night, taking Michael Brockers out of LSU with the 14th pick, the result of a trade down with Dallas.
Fisher has always had a tendency for defensive players in the first round. Brockers continues that trend, and was the second-best defensive tackle in the draft after Fletcher Cox.
Here's what Fisher said in his post-draft presser at Rams Park.
At 322 pounds he's explosive, he's very instinctive. For not having played, for not being a four-year starter, he's very, very instinctive. He can play across the face of blocks, he pushes the pocket, he can collapse, he can get on an edge, he plays with effort. I mean, what else can you say? And there's so much more ahead of him. He's going to develop into a fine player. And he's an outstanding young man, great character guy, hard worker. He's the complete package, now. He's what you want in a defensive tackle, especially in our division with the down-hill runs and things like that. One person I know that's smiling right now is (LB) James Laurinaitis.
Along with Langford, the Rams should have a very stout middle. The key with Brockers will be refining his pass rushing ability. Remember, Brockers entered the draft early, a redshirt sophomore, and surprised a lot of people with his decision.
The trick now is finding a wide receiver, and the twists and turns of the first round should allow for that. Reuben Randle, Alshon Jeffery, Stephen Hill and Mohamed Sanu.
With three second-round picks, the Rams are in a great position to put some talent on their roster. Besides receivers, other needs left to address are running back and offensive line.
The NFL Draft returns to primetime in 2012. Catch all of the excitement of the 2012 NFL Draft on NFL Network April 26 - 28