Draft Week: The Calm before the Storm

Draft day brings a lot of excitement for Rams fans because we are frequently selecting in the top 5 pick, which is rarely a good thing. This year, however, the Rams received their top 5 pick from the Redskins trade in 2012. Whether you liked the deal back then or not, it has put the Rams in a position to finally complete the rebuild. That being said, here is a potential draft that fills the Rams most glaring needs.

After trading the 2nd overall pick to the Falcons for the 6th and 37th pick. With the 6th overall pick, the Rams select:

Mike Evans, WR, Texas A&M

Standing at 6'5, 230 - Evans is an absolute monster and would provide the Rams with immediate help on the outside. The dude is built like a Power Forward and runs a 4.5 40. He has the potential to be a top receiver in the NFL and would be tough to pass up in a trade down situation. In my opinion, he fits the Rams needs better than Sammy Watkins because of his size and strength. If the Rams decide to move on Evans in this situation, our WR core coming into camp would be Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey, Chris Givens, Brian Quick, Kenny Britt, Austin Pettis, and of course Mike Evans. I just hope that the acquisition of Britt will not deter the Rams from using a high pick on a top receiver. Fisher has put a lot of faith in his former Titan players, none of whom have lived up to expectations so far.

With the 13th overall pick (1st Round), the Rams select:

Justin Gilbert, CB, Oklahoma State

If Darqueze Denard is still on the board at 13, this pick will be a bit trickier. I like Gilbert's size and speed over Denard, so he would still be my first choice at CB. There is no question as to whether or not the Rams need another corner, it's just a matter of how early they should take one. If the Rams don't move on a CB at 13, there could be a sizable drop off in the second round, even with the 37th pick. If the Rams knew Jason Verrett would be there in the second round, I would probably hold off, but there is a good chance he will be taken in the latter half of the first round. Gilbert would immediately jump into the number 1 spot for the Rams, allowing Janoris Jenkins to move into the slot and Trumaine Johnson or Greg Reid as the number 2 corner.

With the 37th pick (2nd Round), the Rams select:

Joel Bitonio, OT, Nevada

At this spot, given the first round selections, the Rams have to go with the best available offensive lineman. I like Cyrus Kouandjio in the second round a lot, but his knee injury from 2011 seems to be a lingering issue given the recent failed physicals. The Rams need durability on the offensive line and Bitonio has had few injuries. Full disclosure, I knew nothing about this guy until I started my mock draft research a few months ago - but from the tape I've watched - he's a monster. Drafting Bitonio would solidify the Rams O-Line. They could start him at guard and use him as a keep safe if Joseph Barksdale or Jake Long go down. Honestly, I don't get why a lot of these mock drafts justify Greg Robinson or Jake Matthews as a contingency plan for Jake Long after he retires. Long is 28 years old. I understand he's had issues with injuries, but let's not jump the gun.

With the 44th pick (2nd Round), the Rams select:

Deone Bucannon, S, Washington State

Bucannon and TJ McDonald lined up next to each other in the backfield would be a scary sight. Despite his hard-hitting style, Bucannon started every game in his 4 years at Washington State. If he's gone at this point, Jimmie Ward would be a solid plan B. Bucannon is more NFL ready, which is why I have him going to the Rams here.

With the 75th pick (3rd Round), the Rams select:

Trai Turner, OG, LSU

It's imperative to have depth on the O-Line. Turner might not be starting week 1, but he could be starting as early as week 2 given the history of injuries on the line. Plus, Turner was a durable option for his 4 years at LSU.

With the 110th pick (4th Round), the Rams select:

Will Sutton, DT, Arizona State

This is purely a depth move. The Rams D-Line is the strongest point on the team but adding a big capable body will only improve the already dominant unit.

With the 153rd pick (5th Round), the Rams select:

Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia

It's pretty apparent the Rams will take a QB at some point in this draft. Murray had a great college career and giving him a shot in the 5th round is low risk, high reward. I'd be delighted to see Murray in a Rams uniform in 2014.

In my opinion, this would be an A+ draft for the St. Louis Rams. If they can manage to slide back a couple spots and pick up an extra 2nd round pick, the team would be set to compete in the NFC Best... I mean West. Only a couple days left until the greatest draft night in the history of football.

Food for Thought: Trade Sam Bradford to the Minnesota Vikings for the 8th and 40th pick. Use the 2nd pick on Johnny Manziel, snagging Mike Evans with the 8th pick, and resuming the rest of the draft as above. This is incredibly far fetched but still interesting to think about. Johnny Football at the helm with Tavon, Evans, and the rest of slightly above average Rams receiving core? It would be fun to watch, that's for sure.