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Rams bring in Keith Bulluck to mentor Alec Ogletree

Even first-round picks have to learn new things in the NFL.

Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE

Being drafted in the first round places certain expectations on a player to perform well. The St. Louis Rams drafted Alec Ogletree to make a good defense even better. Head coach Jeff Fisher knows how difficult the transition is, so he's bringing in Keith Bullock, one of his former linebackers, to mentor Ogletree.

Ogletree and Bulluck do share similarities. Both players were selected with the 30th pick in the first round, both players played some safety in college. Fisher has mentioned the similarities between the two before, and given his experience with the two of them, we'll take his word for it.

The Rams need Ogletree to grow into a cornerstone of the team's defense. He's the athletic linebacker that the team has needed to complement the thumping James Laurinaitis in the middle. The hope is that Ogletree will be able to defend the pass well, smothering opposing tight ends, and his speed should give the Rams a player that can move sideline-to-sideline. With Bulluck visiting, veteran linebackers Jo-Lonn Dunbar and Will Witherspoon, and playing next to Laurinaitis, Ogletree will have enough wisdom and experience to glean. It's still, ultimately, up to succeed.