2016 NFL Draft: Playing Roulette With Rams' First-Round Pick

The NFL Combine is over. We are starting to get a better feel of which prospects will be the most coveted and where their draft range may be. The Rams are capable of going nearly any direction and being justified with their pick. I can't tell you who the Rams will select 15th overall but I can guess the likelihood of each position being addressed based off of Rams history, vision, and what we know about the 2016 NFL Draft prospects.

QB - 50 %

There is no question QB is perhaps the Rams biggest need. Carson Wentz and Jared Goff figure to be out of reach which leaves guys like Paxton Lynch, Connor Cook, or a whackadoo pick like Christian Hackenberg in play. Knowing how the Rams feel about Case Keenum (welp), I don't buy the idea that the team will use their first pick on any of those three QBs not named Wentz or Goff. Then again, the front office may get antsy and feel the desire to have their QB of the "future" in place. Toss up.

WR - 30 %

Now we get to perhaps the Rams second biggest need. The need factor for a WR would be well above 50 % in my opinion. The reason I list it at 30 % is due to the lack of sensible WR options available at pick 15. Laquon Treadwell would seem to be a no brainer but that requires 14 other teams passing on him or a trade up. Josh Doctson and Mike Thomas don't figure to be for sure options at 15 just yet. Corey Coleman is much more electrifying than his counterparts but the Rams already have Tavon Austin, who the team is still excited about. Don't be surprised at all if WR is the selection but options may be limited.

TE - 1 %

Barring a significant trade back, this seems impossible. Hunter Henry is the early TE favorite to have the best shot of being taken in the first round. Though the Rams released former starting TE Jared Cook, I think they have many other needs and players in mind.

OL - 5 %

The team has stated recently that they are committed to LT Greg Robinson and keeping his blocking buddy Rodger Saffold due to versatility among other things. Rob Havenstein is entrenched as the RT and the Rams are still very high on guards Jamon Brown, Cody Wichmann, and Andrew Donnal. Les Snead has even said the team would like to retain C Tim Barnes too, leaving the starting five nearly set. A guy like Ronnie Stanley may be too good to pass up if he somehow fell to the Rams pick but don't count on it. An offensive lineman seems pretty unlikely in the 1st round but with Jeff Fisher you never know.

DL - 70 %

This is the position group I think is most likely to be taken in round 1. If you are unaware of Jeff Fisher's affinity for a strong pass rush then where have you been? Since joining the Rams, Snisher has used two first round draft choices on DTs, brought along a former Titan DE (likely to be re-signed), gave Robert Quinn a new contract, signed former 1st round draft pick Nick Fairley, and recently cut a former starter in Chris Long. Fisher loves DL and now he may have a hole at DE to fill. Hayes is likely to return but is in his 30's. DL has the deepest pool of talent at the top with guys like Joey Bosa, DeForest Buckner, Shaq Lawson, Noah Spence, and Emmanuel Ogbah. That's just at DE. With Michael Brockers approaching the final year of his rookie deal and Nick Fairley hitting free agency, would anyone be surprised if they choose a DT? I would not. There figure to be at least 5 DT's in play for round one. Just based off the sheer numbers for DL prospects, there will highly likely be someone available at 15 that catches the Rams eye. Pair that with the Rams being the Rams and DL is my front runner.

LB - 35 %

James Laurinaitis is gone. The Rams are committed to Alec Ogletree at MLB for now. If they have a change of heart, Reggie Ragland's range probably starts where the Rams pick. In year's past the Rams have done due diligence on MLBs C.J. Mosley, Benardrick McKinney, and Stephone Anthony. The Rams would like to bring back Mark Barron to continue his pseudo LB role and that plays into this reasoning. If he signs elsewhere then LB is a very real possibility at 15. Myles Jack will be long gone but Darron Lee crushed the combine and the Rams have shown they really value athleticism with their LBs. Jaylon Smith could be another option, though unlikely due to injury concerns. Re-signing Barron figures to be the desired outcome but I wouldn't count on the Rams to stand pat with Akeem Ayers and Daren Bates if Barron signs elsewhere.

DB - 35 %

CB is the biggest wild card for the Rams. It's well known that both of last years starters, Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson, are UFAs. I do not expect both of them to return with the Rams. If they do both return then then you can stick a fork in this 35 %. Based off of and UDFA signing history, DBs are Jeff Fisher's second favorite thing. Many fans believe EJ Gaines, who will return from injury, could step in for one of the two CBs and they may be right. I think the Rams view Gaines as a solid, safe CB but lacks that "high end potential" like many of his previous drafted teammates in the secondary (Jenkins, Johnson, Joyner, McDonald, Alexander all had varying boom/bust factor). If Jenkins or Johnson leave, the Rams may decide to draft a "high potential" replacement in the first round and there should be a few available. Guys like Vernon Hargreaves, Mackensie Alexander, and Eli Apple could be a potential fit. I don't expect a safety to be in the mix even if Rodney McLeod does not come back. Again, very hard to tell now until FA happens.

Let us know what you think is the most likely course of action come draft day. What do you think should happen? We're months and a lot of free agency moves away from the draft but let the speculation begin.