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The St. Louis Rams selected South Carolina OG Rokevious Watkins in the 5th round of the 2012 NFL Draft. Listed at 6'4", 338 pounds, experts describe Watkins as "nasty" in terms of his on-field style of play. That will fit well with the new mentality at Rams Park.
Here's what Mocking the Draft had to say about the Gamecocks tackle:
He is a big and nasty player with a good strong base. His base and size allow him to anchor and avoid getting pushed off the football. He does a nice job firing off the ball and engaging the defense.
However, Watkins needs to work on tightening up his technique. His balance is below average as he often is tossed off blocks and onto the ground. This is attributed to his tendency to get over extended and his shoulders out in front of his feet. His lack of balance limits his effectiveness as a run blocker. Watkins is an average athlete but struggles to shuffle and mirror in space.
Overall, Watkins shows some upside due to his size and burst off the line. However, he needs to make some real improvements if he hopes to make an impact in the NFL.
Originally, the Rams lost their 5th-pick, trading it to the Broncos in exchange for Brandon Lloyd in October. They obtained this pick with a trade down in the 2nd round.