/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45734256/usa-today-5293036.0.jpg)
Mel Kiper Jr., who’s been providing NFL Draft analysis for ESPN since 1984, is the most notable name in the mock draft biz. And with varying degrees of success, he prognosticates where college players might their new homes in the NFL.
The St. Louis Rams, along with the Patriots and Browns, have had the most first round draft picks [7] of all NFL teams over the past five years. The Rams-Redskins trade in 2012 that afforded the Rams the opportunity to double dip over the last few seasons has kept Kiper on his toes.
But he would’ve gone a completely different direction with his picks. In fact, none of the seven players drafted by the Rams were Kiper’s choice...[h/t Jimmy Kempski]
Year
|
Pick
|
Rams Choice
|
Kipers Choice
|
2010
|
1.1
|
Sam Bradford
|
Ndamukong Suh
|
2011
|
1.14
|
Robert Quinn
|
Julio Jones
|
2012
|
1.14
|
Michael Brockers
|
Justin Blackmon
|
2013
|
1.8
|
Tavon Austin
|
Kenny Vaccaro
|
2013
|
1.30
|
Alec Ogletree
|
D.J. Fluker
|
2014
|
1.2
|
Greg Robinson
|
Jake Matthews
|
2014
|
1.13
|
Aaron Donald
|
Mike Evans
|
Finding the Next Big Wide Receiver
Quid Pro Quo
What, No Quarterback?
This assumes the Rams draft a QB. Obviously, they could’ve targeted one in free agency.
The 2015 Draft
Jeff Fisher has said another quarterback - who isn’t currently playing for the Rams - will be challenging Bradford for the starting job in 2015. We don’t know, at this point, whether that’ll be a rookie they’ve selected in the draft, or a free agent [yikes!].Barring the unforeseen, the Rams don’t appear to be in a position to land one of the draft’s top quarterbacks. And many mock drafts will have the Rams selecting an offensive lineman to protect Bradford or his successor. Kiper’s is no different...
Will this be the first year, in six, where Kiper gets it right? If history tells us anything, the answer is no.