2013 NFL mock draft: Painting the perfect picture

The NFL Draft is upon us. It will kick off this Thursday, April 25. So in lieu of the draft, I have sat at my desk and did a bit of research to come up with MY mock draft for the St. Louis Rams.

Now, draft day is full of surprises and GM Les Snead likes surprises – draft day trades – so I by know means expect my draft to be a carbon fiber copy of what will occur on Thursday. Rumors have it that the Rams are willing to trade the No. 16 pick. The Atlanta Falcons – Snead's old boo-thang – is the rumored trade partner. If that's the case, the Rams would probably get the 30th overall pick and some mid-rounder. This mock will not include any trades. I, however, expect some to go down come draft day.

Here's my Rams' mock draft. I've included other options for the first few rounds:

1st Round, Pick #16: Guard Chance Warmack, Alabama

Chance Warmack is my 1st round draft crush. First and foremost, the man is BIG!! Powerful, long arms, thick lower body. Will clear the way for running backs and is quick enough to reach the the second level and block linebackers. As a pass protector, will anchor in and keep rushers at bay. With Warmack, you'll have Pro Bowl-caliber play for years. He's NFL ready right now and that is exactly what we need.

Other Options: WR Tavon Austin, Cordarrelle Patterson, Keenan Allen, OG Jonathon Cooper.

1st Round, Pick #22: Safety Jonathon Cyprien, Florida International

Both of the Rams' safety positions are currently vacant. Cyprien is an aggressive safety who likes to hit the ballcarrier. Great in the box safety. Has good ball skills but isn't really a true centerfield safety. He'd be our Quintin Mikell-plus.

Other options: OLB Alec Ogletree, Arthur Brown, WR Justin Hunter, S Kenny Vaccaro

2nd Round, Pick #46: Wideout DeAndre Hopkins, Clemson

This year's crop of receivers does not have an consensus No. 1 guy. The lack of of a clear-cut elite receiver is made up by the outstanding depth. The Rams are clearly interested in "Nuke." The team had a private workout with Hopkins on Friday, April 19. Three days later, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and QB coach Frank Cignetti worked him out again.

. . .offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and quarterback coach Frank Cignetti are there working out Hopkins, per league source.

— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) April 22, 2013

In Hopkins, you get a precise route runner with sure hands. He's not a burner, but definitely has speed. The Rams could use a good route runner. They haven't had a superb route runner since the Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt heydays.

Whether you consider the whole hotel room ordeal a red flag or not, the Rams seem to like the kid.

Other Options: OG Larry Warford, Kyle Long, WR Robert Woods, Quinton Patton

3rd Round,Pick #78: Safety Bacarri Rambo, Georgia

If the Rams add Cyprien, he will fill in the strong safety position. Rambo fills in as the free safety. A true centerfield safety. He reads the QB and diagnoses the play before it occurs. His ability to anticipate the play leads to interceptions, something every team can use.

His weakness is tackling, is tackling. He takes bad angles and does not wrap up at times. This can be coached though.

Other Options: WR Ryan Swope, Terrance Williams, S DJ Swearinger

4th Round, Pick #113: Linebacker Khaseem Greene, Rutgers

The Rams are in need of an outside linebacker. A linebacker that is good in coverage. The Rutgers-product is just that. Greene is a former safety, so he has good ball skills. He is also great at chasing down ballcarriers (sorry for the oveuse, but this encompasses every player that is able to run with the ball).

5th Round, Pick #149: Wideout Kenny Stills, Oklahoma

The Rams Lost Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson during free agency. Hopkins fills 'Dola's spot. Stills will slide into Gibby's roster spot. Stills is 6-foot, 194 pounds. He's not a burner, but he's quick and uses his footwork to get separation. Good hands.

Stills' weaknesses are mental lapses, that usually result in dropped passes. Doesn't always play smart. He also doesn't have elite size/bulk. Physical corners get the best out of him. Oh and he has off the field issues.

6th Round, Pick #184: Corner back Josh Johnson, Purdue

Outside of the Rams top three corners– Cortland Finnegan, Janoris Jenkins, and Trumaine Johnson – they do not have much else. Josh Johnson out of Purdue can be that fourth corner. At 5'9, Johnson might not be the tallest, but he has the ability to go up and contest jump balls. He's also not the fastest, but has quick feet.

7th Round, Pick #222: Running Back Knile Davis, Arkansas

The Rams have been quoted on saying they like their current rushers – Daryl Richardson, Isaiah Pead, and Terrance Ganaway. They've also been quoted saying they would like to add a bigger back. Overall, I believe the team is content with the ballcarriers on the roster. They're also not opposed to adding another body to the backfield. Enter, Knile Davis.

At 6-foot, 227, he's the type of big back coach Fisher & Co. have said they are looking for. He comes with a history of injuries, though.