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2016 NFL Mock Draft: St. Louis Rams - 4 Rounds

We're a quarter way through the 2015 NFL regular season and just beginning to find out how teams might fare over the long road to the playoffs. In the meantime, team scouts and general managers are already feverishly planning for the 2016 NFL Draft in April.

We're a quarter way through the 2015 NFL regular season and just beginning to find out how teams might fare over the long haul to the playoffs. In the meantime, team scouts and general managers of all 32 teams are already feverishly planning for the 2016 NFL Draft in April. It's never too early to take a peek at college football players, assess potential Rams needs and speculate about who the Rams may be interested in drafting come April.

St. Louis Rams Current Roster & Depth Chart

C Tim Barnes Demetrius Rhaney
RG Rodger Saffold Garrett Reynolds
LG Jamon Brown Cody Wichmann
RT Rob Havenstein Andrew Donnal
LT Greg Robinson Darrell Williams
TE Lance Kendricks Cory Harkey
TE Jared Cook
WR Tavon Austin Brian Quick Bradley Marquez
WR Kenny Britt Stedman Bailey
RB Tre Mason Benny Cunningham
RB Todd Gurley Chase Reynolds
QB Nick Foles Case Keenum Sean Mannion
PK Greg Zuerlein
P John Hekker
LS Jake McQuaide
DT Aaron Donald Nick Fairley
DT Michael Brockers Ethan Westbrooks
DE Chris Long William Hayes
DE Robert Quinn Eugene Sims
MLB James Laurinaitis Bryce Hager
OLB Jo-Lonn Dunbar Daren Bates Alec Ogletree
OLB Akeem Ayers Cameron Lynch
CB Janoris Jenkins Marcus Roberson
CB Trumaine Johnson Lamarcus Joyner
SS T.J. McDonald Mark Barron Maurice Alexander
FS Rodney McLeod Cody Davis Christian Bryant
Practice Squad Roster Exemption Injured Reserve
DE  Matt Longacre RB  Trey Watts CB  E.J. Gaines
DT  Louis Trinca-Pasat WR  Isiah Ferguson
DT  Doug Worthington
CB  Melvin White
CB  Eric Patterson
RB  Malcolm Brown
FB  Zach Laskey
WR Nick Toon
TE  Justice Cunningham
OT  Isaiah Battle

St. Louis Rams 2016 Free Agents

Position Player FA Status
QB Case Keenum RFA
RB Benny Cunningham RFA
RB Chase Reynolds RFA
TE Cory Harkey UFA
WR Brian Quick UFA
C Tim Barnes UFA
K Greg Zuerlein UFA
DT Nick Fairley UFA
DE Eugene Sims UFA
DE William Hayes UFA
OLB Jo-Lonn Dunbar UFA
OLB Daren Bates RFA
CB Janoris Jenkins UFA
CB Trumaine Johnson UFA
SS Mark Barron UFA
FS Rodney McLeod UFA
FS Cody Davis RFA

Ranking The Rams' 2016 Positional Needs

Position
Wide Receiver
Defensive End
Safety
Cornerback
Center
Defensive Tackle
Tight End

The Rams' 2016 positional needs are ranked using the following criteria: potential Free Agent losses, potential positions in need of upgrades and assessing the possibility of existing roster players reaching their potential/ceiling.

2016 NFL Mock Draft: St. Louis Rams - 4 Rounds

The accompanying chart presents the Rams' 5 selections over 4 rounds in this 2016 NFL Mock Draft:

Round Position Player School
1.16 DE Shawn Oakman Baylor
2.48 WR Michael Thomas Ohio State
2.52 CB KeiVarae Russell Notre Dame
3.80 C Dan Voltz Wisconsin
4.112 FS Deon Bush Miami (Fla.)

Player Profiles

Shawn Oakman

William Hayes and Eugene Sims are eligible for Free Agency in 2016. Chris Long will be 31 in March and is scheduled to have a $14.25 million salary cap hit in 2016 (the final year of his contract). It would come as no surprise if the Rams continued their recent history of drafting defensive linemen in the first round (three in the past five years). Shawn Oakman is a physically imposing man (6'8" - 280) who is freakishly athletic for his size. Oakman is by no means a finished product but has a very high ceiling. The Rams love drafting dynamic athletes with higher ceilings.

Scouting ReportHighlights

Michael Thomas

Brian Quick becomes a Free Agent after the 2015 season. Will the Rams attempt to re-sign him? Chris Givens was traded for a 7th round draft pick. The Rams' wide receiver corps could end up being a little thin after the 2015 season. Thomas' combination of size (6'3" - 210), route-running skills and soft, dependable hands make him an attractive option for the Rams in the upcoming draft. His stock could rise rapidly between now and April.

Scouting ReportHighlights

KeiVarae Russell

The Rams will head into the offseason with much uncertainty surrounding the cornerback positions. Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson are eligible for Free Agency in 2016, and E.J. Gaines faces a long rehabilitation process after a season-ending Lisfranc injury. Russell missed the 2014 season due to academic issues. As noted by CBS Sports draft expert Dane Brugler before the college season began:

"Russell is a good-sized specimen with the profile to match up with bigger, physical targets as well as smaller receivers who rely on speed. He is a willing run defender with NFL-level ball skills, leading the Irish in passes defended (nine) in 2013, the last time he took the field for Notre Dame."

Scouting ReportHighlights

Dan Voltz

The Rams devoted plenty of draft capital to the offensive line in the 2015 NFL Draft. The one position they neglected to address in the process was center. Tim Barnes is eligible for Free Agency in 2016 and is no better than an average player. Backup Demetrius Rhaney is an unknown quantity. Voltz would represent an upgrade at the position and comes from a school known as an offensive line factory. Voltz follows in the distinguished footsteps of Peter Konz and Travis Frederick. Voltz excels at both run blocking and pass protection and has the size necessary to compete at a high level in the NFL (6'3" - 312).

Scouting ReportHighlights

Deon Bush

The Rams will have three safeties eligible for Free Agency after this season: Mark Barron, Cody Davis and Rodney McLeod. The Rams will need to add depth to a unit sure to be depleted by Free Agent losses. Bush is a tall (6' 1"-205), physical and athletic specimen who should have little trouble making the leap to the NFL. The Hurricanes use him all over the field (on the blitz and in both run support and coverage). Just the type of safety the Rams covet.

Scouting ReportHighlights