:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/28177399/20140108_mje_se2_1388.0.jpg)
NFL Draft hairpiece Mel Kiper held a conference call on Thursday morning to talk about the -- wait for it -- 2014 NFL Draft. He dished on quarterbacks. He dished on dealing. He dished on everything under the sun, but among the tidbits that will be most interesting to fans of the Los Angeles and/or St. Louis Rams (I just don't know anymore) were Kiper's thoughts on the offensive tackles.
Kiper's top offensive tackle is Auburn's Greg Robinson, and that's who he has, for now, the Rams taking with the No. 2 pick.
Kiper said the majority of teams have it Robinson, Lewan and Matthews.
— Dan Kadar (@MockingTheDraft) February 6, 2014
Kiper thinks Jake Matthews may be slipping a bit because some teams view him as a right tackle.
— Dan Kadar (@MockingTheDraft) February 6, 2014
Kiper thinks all three top offensive tackles go in the top 11. He has Robinson No. 2 to St. Louis.
— Dan Kadar (@MockingTheDraft) February 6, 2014
Dan from MtD was sitting in on the call with Kiper this morning.
At any rate, it's significant for a couple reasons. There's a widespread assumption that the Rams will trade out of the No. 2 spot, but it's hardly guaranteed. In the event that the Rams do stay there, one likely target is an offensive tackle, considering Rodger Saffold's pending free agency (not to mention move to guard) and Jake Long's ACL.
Also worth noting, Les Snead's connection with Auburn, his old college team.
Another player who has been mocked to the Rams in the second pick is Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins ... because draftniks are apparently unaware of the team's spotty track record identifying and developing receivers. Watkins could be a top pick too, per Kiper.
Kiper doesn't think Sammy Watkins will slip past the fifth pick.
— Dan Kadar (@MockingTheDraft) February 6, 2014
