On Friday, April 27, the St. Louis Rams selected North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins with the 39th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. The Rams then picked up Montana cornerback Trumaine Johnson to start the third round. The Rams went high risk, high reward and I liked it.

Janoris Jenkins

I know the team took some major risks on day two of the draft, but I'm ecstatic with the players that the Rams chose. Janoris Jenkins is a mid-to-early first round talent and a shutdown corner who has the ability to change a game on a dime. I know there are concerns about his character, and I understand that the Rams are taking a huge leap of faith with this kid. However, I also know that players on the defense like James Laurinaitis, Quintin Mikell and Cortland Finnegan aren't going to let Jenkins get out of line.

Jenkins was up front about his past during his introductory conference call with the media. When asked about how his past affected his draft status, Jenkins said, "I mean, I'm pretty sure it hurt it, but that's my past. I've got a new chapter and I'm happy to be a Ram now, so I'm going to put that in my past and I'm ready to move forward."

Hopefully, he is ready to move forward. If he does have a hard time staying in line (which I do not see Fisher and Co allowing), I believe the team will rein him in. There's a new sheriff in town and he has a big mustache. I know it was a risky pick, but Jenkins has too much talent to pass up.

Trumaine Johnson

You never know what you're going to get from the small schools. However, Trumaine Johnson was one of the highest rated prospects to come out of the Big Sky Conference for a reason. Johnson is a playmaker who can cover almost anyone he lines up against.

However, like Jenkins, he also comes with baggage. When speaking to the speaking to the media after the Rams picked him, Johnson explained the incident that got him in hot water during a party last October.

"I just decided to throw a party after a win," Johnson said. "It got loud. The cops came and shut it down. As we were shutting it down, one of my buddies got tazed, so I went over there to try to see what was going on and I got tazed. We both got booked and arrested."

"I got charged with disorderly conduct, obstructing an officer, and resisting arrest, but they dropped two of the three. They dropped obstructing an officer and resisting arrest. I got charged with the disorderly conduct. I'm going to have to pay that fee, and that was it."

Four Pillars be damned,  I'm choosing to believe in general manager Les Snead and head coach Jeff Fisher. They've spent a lot of time evaluating these kids, and I have to be willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.

The Rams have some work to do, but if Jenkins and Johnson do work out, then at least the secondary will be set for years to come.

There's a common theme in early grades of the Rams' draft: taking risks on big talent with big question marks.

The media - locally and at large - has already made Janoris Jenkins the poster child of this draft and Jeff Fisher / Les Snead's risk/reward approach to adding talent. Jenkins' extensively documented rap sheet and just as extensively documented skillset make this an easy storyline to pick up on. Throw in some dramatic contrast against the "Four Pillars" philosophy of the previous regime, and you've got the makings of a nice little script.

But perhaps the biggest risk in the draft went six picks before Jenkins, as the Rams took little-seen wide receiver Brian Quick from Appalachian State University. To hear Ray Sherman tell it, the Rams may have acquired the next Terrell Owens. It's hard to get an endorsement any better than that without invoking the Almighty ... Jerry Rice, I mean.

The Rams coaches obviously liked what they saw in their hush-hush in-person scouting session, an all-essential component of their evaluation of a player with little to no game-tape against the kind of NFL-caliber competition that power-conference players like Rueben Randle or Julio Jones faced in school. But at least one avid tape-grinder whose opinion I respect is not as sanguine about the pick.

I discovered this while asking Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) about a shared personal favorite of ours at the top of Day 3: Cal receiver Marvin Jones. Waldman's immediate answer opened the door for a philosophical approach to the draft that goes 180 degrees from that of the new Rams front office. Here is our exchange, with additional input added via email after the fact.

Day three of any draft is generally going to focus less on starters, but a team with as many needs and as much turnover as the Rams have should be able to find gems - and use them extensively in the season to come. Here is a quick look at the players added to Jeff Fisher's stable:

Pick 96: WR Chris Givens, Wake Forest

If you're wondering how a receiver with near-track-star speed (4.39 time in the 40 yard dash) and a reputation as being an accomplished route-runner dropped into the fourth round, here are two answers: sub-six-foot height and two ACL surgeries on your medical sheet.

Chris Givens has both of those negatives on his resume, but if you watch tape from his breakout 2011 season, he looks neither small nor gimpy. In this tape against Syracuse (provided by college tape enthusiast @jmpasq), we see Givens running crisp stop-and-go routes, shedding tackles, getting behind safeties, and at the 1:30 mark, taking a 1-yard pass and with a simple juke turning it into a 22-yard touchdown.

While some project him as a slot receiver, nearly all of his work in this game comes outside the hash marks. Givens plans on wearing the #17 last worn by Donnie Avery, and has an opportunity to realize the potential that was expected of the former Rams speedster.

Pick 150: G Rokevious Watkins, South Carolina

Rokevious Watkins is big. 6'4", 330 lbs or more. And he's versatile, playing left tackle, right tackle and right guard for the Gamecocks in 2011, in what happened to be their best season ever. And he's been tagged with the "undisciplined" label in draft previews, making him the latest project pick for Jeff Fisher's veteran staff.

Watkins comes from Steve Spurrier's pedigree, following in the footsteps of players as divergent as Kenyatta Walker (Tampa Bay's version of Alex Barron) and Cooper Carlisle (an eleven year veteran who has missed only one start in his last seven seasons). As a tackle, he may draw Kenyatta comparisons (hence, the "undisciplined" label), but as a long-armed, big-bodied guard, a young Carlisle might offer a nice blueprint.

This pick came courtesy of the Rams' trade-down gamble in the second round. So the question that bears watching is this: is the team better off with Isaiah Pead and Rokevious Watkins? Or should they have stayed and taken a high-round outside linebacker like Mychal Kendricks?

Thursday night, Rams coach Jeff Fisher gave defensive line coach Mike Waufle an early Christmas present, gifting him with an exceptional package of size and strength in Michael Brockers. Friday night, Santa was even more generous, doling out gifts for WR coach Ray Sherman, defensive backs coach Chuck Cecil, and RB coach Ben Sirmans.

Each one gets to unwrap an enticing package of skills, but each gift comes with it a challenge as well - assembly is required.

The four players selected by the Rams in the second and third rounds - WR Brian Quick of Appalachian State, CB Janorris Jenkins of Florida (by way of Northern Alabama), RB Isaiah Pead of Cincinnati, and CB Trumaine Johnson of Montana - each represents something of a project for the Rams' coaching staff. But each one has skills to make an immediate impact on the team's fortunes for 2012.

When Fisher assembled his veteran staff of position coaches, it was reasonable to expect that he would bet heavily on them as his new team's greatest asset. So far in the draft, that's exactly what we're seeing. And with a full offseason to work with, expect significant returns from this group, as well as last year's crop of underdeveloped rookies.

Let's break down the picks:

Many Rams fans had their heart set on wide receiver Justin Blackmon. Many were willing to settle for the second-rated WR on the board, Michael Floyd.

When the Rams drafted neither, many fans freaked out. Perhaps this was all too familiar to the ways of one Billy Devaney. Well this is a different regime.

Rams coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead really wanted running back Trent Richardson, but they weren’t willing to spend extra picks to get him. They liked Blackmon, but not enough to sacrifice a pick to assure themselves Blackmon.

They achieved their goal of trading down to add a second-round pick, but they moved out of Floyd’s range in the process. They added LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers -- a player they clearly coveted -- and set themselves up for a very busy day today.

But scores of long-suffering Rams fans failed to see the wisdom in this. But guess what…this is a deep wide receiver draft and it’s not time to panic.

Interestingly, NFL experts had a generally more favorable view of this: Here is a sampling.

Mike Sando, ESPN.com: “Defensive tackle was a position of critical need for the Rams. Brockers projects as an instant starter with the versatility to play more than one position on the line. The Rams added a second-round choice for moving back from sixth to 14th overall. That was more than other teams trading back secured. Yes, the Rams still need a No. 1 receiver, but one school of thought says this draft didn't feature a sure-fire one. No one can accuse the Rams of reaching. They got bigger and stronger on their defensive line. Having three second-round picks puts them in position to help the offense Friday.”

Wes Bunting, National Football Post: “The Rams needed to upgrade their level of talent at the DT position and Brockers has what it takes to mature into one of the league's best. He’s a former 4-start, 255-pound SLB prospect out of high school who has since gained over 70-pounds and developed into one of the SEC’s top linemen. He needs to mature as a pass rusher, but he has the skill set to do so and should be able to anchor the run at a high level early on.”

 "With the fourteenth pick in the 2012 NFL Draft (what?), the St Louis Rams select Michael Brockers, defensive tackle, LSU."

Before you even say it, allow me.

"What the what? Remember Jimmy Kennedy? When are we going to draft weapons? What about Sam Bradford? A defensive player? A defensive TACKLE? You've gotta be kidding me?!? Hope you're ready for double digit losses again this year!! Remember Jimmy Kennedy? Aw shit, I said that already..."

With that viewpoint fully considered, then, and before we get to the actual meaty part of this draft-day discussion, let's spend a little time in remembrance of another round of draft crushes that sadly went by the wayside.

Trent Richardson (Browns, after a trade up to 3) sure would have been nice. Justin Blackmon (Jaguars, after a trade up to 5) wasn't my crush, but plenty of Rams fans wanted him. Michael Floyd (Cardinals at 13, one pick ahead of the Rams) could have been spectacular. And David Decastro... (stolen by the Steelers at 24) well big fella, what can I say but that when it came down to it, coach Fisher went with his gut and picked D meat over O meat. Not real surprising there. 

Okay, now that's over and done with too. Let's break the Rams first round into three parts:

1: The Trade(s) made the day.

Les Snead is about ready for his statue. He has already pulled off more big-time trades in one round of the NFL Draft than all of his predecessors combined in the annals of the Rams (St Louis edition).

First, he expertly pitted the Browns against the Redskins in a furiously escalating battle for the #2 pick, coming away with a ransom of picks that ranks somewhere near the top ten richest draft value hauls ever. Almost 4,000 points of conventional draft value for a single pick. Stunning. But that was only the table-setter.

Second, he had to prepare his options at number six for the various names that could have fallen to him. Who would the Rams have stayed for? Kalil? Richardson? Blackmon? Or should we be asking who they would have dialed if either of those players had fallen?

In my mind, Maurice Claiborne could very well have been a great pick for the Rams. But when the LSU cornerback fell, Snead immediately sent the pick to the team (Dallas) most desperate for him, and in so doing, set himself up to have a MONSTER second day. Ultimately, in stepping back from a blue-chipper, the Rams chose more starters. That's the correct choice in this situation. 

But these trades don't happen in a vacuum. Snead had to be working the phones on multiple fronts, had to be building relationships on multiple fronts where most first-year GMs would be lucky to establish even one. Naturally, building on Jeff Fisher's rolodex helps, but Snead still had to deliver. 

By contrast, look at poor Jeff Ireland and the Miami Dolphins. Stuck having to talk themselves into Ryan Tannehill at 8 when they could have easily had him later. If they could have dealt the pick. Ireland tried in vain to trade back into the first round, but fully admits that he couldn't.

(Trade telephone etiquette requirement #1: get past the receptionist. Trade telephone etiquette tip #1, to enable requirement #1: don't be a total jackass alienating everyone you meet.)

This was a fine, fine performance for the men working the Rams war room. 

In today’s installment, we will take a lot at the linebacker position in the draft.

If you read the piece on the
defensive tackle position from Friday than you know just how bad this team was last year stopping the run.  Like the front four, the linebacking core was equally disappointing.  During the Spags era,
the Rams tended to go on the cheap for OLBs.  It was just not a very important position in Spags defense.  However, this plan seemed to backfire on the Rams and resulted much turnover at the two positions year after year.  This year will be no different.  Both free agent signings, Brady Poppinga and Ben Leber, were a disappointment and are no longer with the team.  Fill-in starter, Chris Chamberlain left this offseason to follow Spagnulo to New Orleans.

The current state of the linebacking core does not just lack talent, it lacks bodies.   As I write this, the Rams active roster (found at http://www.stlouisrams.com/team/roster.html) list only four linebackers.   Out of the four listed, MLB James Laurinaitis is the only one with significant starting experience.  Newly signed, Jo-Lonn Dunbar should be a starter in this group.  Dunbar, who has played his whole career under Gregg Williams, is known for his ability to play all three LB positions.  The intriguing thing about the Rams, the LB position, and the draft is how they view Dunbar.  Whether Dunbar plays WILL LB or SAM LB could determine just how early the Rams take a OLB.  I think it’s safe to assume the Rams will not take a linebacker in the first round.  However, I think once the clock starts on day two with the 33^rd overall pick, linebacker is fair game.  I will say as much as I’ve wanted to see the Rams surround Sam Bradford with talent, I’ve equally looked forward to them doing the same for
James Laurinaitis.

The Usual Suspects

Bobby Wagner – Utah State
Wagner, like a couple of other guys on this list, played middle linebacker in college.   The Rams have shown some serious interest in Wagner.  Linebackers coach Blake Williams attended his pro day and the Rams recently had him in for a visit.  The interest is warranted.  The 6-foot, 240-pounder can bring the wood.  He had a fantastic Pro Day running a 4.46 40-yard dash.  Along the fantastic production and awards he has won, what I like really like about Wagner is that he a four-year starter and a two-time team captain.  Those are the types of qualities I really appreciate in a linebacker.

Impression: Tremendous athlete and smart player.  Transition to WLB should prove to be easy for him.

Mychal Kendricks – Cal
Kendricks also played the Mike linebacker position in college.  At the combine, Kendricks ran the fastest 40 time by a linebacker in the last 12 years.  The 2012 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year is extremely explosive player who demonstrates an ability to be a factor in both the run and passing game.  NFL author and insider Pat Kirwan had this to say about Kendricks, “In the last four years he has been in on 245 tackles, 14 sacks, and four interceptions.  He is the shortest linebacker in the draft and I say, so what.  He’s a damn good football player.”
 
Impression: I drafted him to the Rams in the #mockfour draft on twitter (also seen at mockone.net). Like Wagner, I’d love to see him paired up with the JL55.

James-Michael Johnson – Nevada
Johnson played both inside and outside for the Wolfpack.  He’s not as fast as the others on this list but that has not shown to be a problem thus far.  Johnson at one point in the season led all active FBS players in tackle for loss with 34.

Impression: He is not quite the athlete as others in this class.  Needs to improve in coverage, but overall would be a day 1 starter for the Rams.

Sean Spence – University of Miami
Spence doesn’t have the best size, speed, or strength.  However, he constantly made plays at The U. This can be attributed to his technique and amazing play recognition.  Despite a slower 40 time,  I think Spence can go sideline to sideline as well as anyone in the draft.

Impression: If you watch Spence, it’s easy to see his playmaking ability.  I wonder how he and Dunbar, would fit together as both are undersized.

Lavonte Davis – Nebraska
To me, he’s the most complete 4-3 OLB in this draft.  He’s very technically sound with outstanding production.  Pat Kirwan on David: “In two years at Nebraska he was in on 285 tackles, 28 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks, three forced fumbles, two interception and 10 passes defended.  This guy has very good football instincts, and height will not be an issue. Oh, by the way, he’s good enough in pass coverage that he can stay on the field against three wide receiver.”

Impression: This guy comes in and starts at WLB on day 1.  According to Profootball Talk, David and UNC LB Zach Brown were not invited in for a pre-draft visit.  This could
be a smoke screen but it could also be a serious indication on where the Rams plan to address the OLB position and that is not at the top of the second round.

Don’t forget about –

Zach Brown – UNC
I can tell from reading Mock drafts and Rams message boards I’m not as high on Brown as some.  He wasn’t invited in for a pre-draft visit.

Nigel Bradham  - FSU
Started 14-games for the Seminoles at WLB.  Led the team in tackles the last two years.

Sleeper –

Demario Davis – Arkansas State
I really like his athletic ability. Really brings the wood.  He makes plays on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

In today’s installment, we will take a lot at the linebacker position in the draft.

Why It Is A Need

If you read the piece on the  defensive tackle position from Friday than you know just how bad this team was last year stopping the run.  Like the front four, the linebacking core was equally disappointing.  During the Spags era,
the Rams tended to go on the cheap for OLBs.  It was just not a very important position in Spags defense.  However, this plan seemed to backfire on the Rams and resulted much turnover at the two positions year after year.  This year will be no different.  Both free agent signings, Brady Poppinga and Ben Leber, were a disappointment and are no longer with the team.  Fill-in starter, Chris Chamberlain left this offseason to follow Spagnulo to New Orleans.

The current state of the linebacking core does not just lack talent, it lacks bodies.   As I write this, the Rams active roster (found at http://www.stlouisrams.com/team/roster.html) list only four linebackers.   Out of the four listed, MLB James Laurinaitis is the only one with significant starting experience.  Newly signed, Jo-Lonn Dunbar should be a starter in this group.  Dunbar, who has played his whole career under Gregg Williams, is known for his ability to play all three LB positions.  The intriguing thing about the Rams, the LB position, and the draft is how they view Dunbar.  Whether Dunbar plays WILL LB or SAM LB could determine just how early the Rams take a OLB.  I think it’s safe to assume the Rams will not take a linebacker in the first round.  However, I think once the clock starts on day two with the 33^rd overall pick, linebacker is fair game.  I will say as much as I’ve wanted to see the Rams surround Sam Bradford with talent, I’ve equally looked forward to them doing the same for
James Laurinaitis.

The Usual Suspects

Bobby Wagner – Utah State
Wagner, like a couple of other guys on this list, played middle linebacker in college.   The Rams have shown some serious interest in Wagner.  Linebackers coach Blake Williams attended his pro day and the Rams recently had him in for a visit.  The interest is warranted.  The 6-foot, 240-pounder can bring the wood.  He had a fantastic Pro Day running a 4.46 40-yard dash.  Along the fantastic production and awards he has won, what I like really like about Wagner is that he a four-year starter and a two-time team captain.  Those are the types of qualities I really appreciate in a linebacker.

Impression: Tremendous athlete and smart player.  Transition to WLB should prove to be easy for him.

Mychal Kendricks – Cal
Kendricks also played the Mike linebacker position in college.  At the combine, Kendricks ran the fastest 40 time by a linebacker in the last 12 years.  The 2012 Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year is extremely explosive player who demonstrates an ability to be a factor in both the run and passing game.  NFL author and insider Pat Kirwan had this to say about Kendricks, “In the last four years he has been in on 245 tackles, 14 sacks, and four interceptions.  He is the shortest linebacker in the draft and I say, so what.  He’s a damn good football player.”
 
Impression: I drafted him to the Rams in the #mockfour draft on twitter (also seen at mockone.net). Like Wagner, I’d love to see him paired up with the JL55.

James-Michael Johnson – Nevada
Johnson played both inside and outside for the Wolfpack.  He’s not as fast as the others on this list but that has not shown to be a problem thus far.  Johnson at one point in the season led all active FBS players in tackle for loss with 34.

Impression: He is not quite the athlete as others in this class.  Needs to improve in coverage, but overall would be a day 1 starter for the Rams.

Sean Spence – University of Miami
Spence doesn’t have the best size, speed, or strength.  However, he constantly made plays at The U. This can be attributed to his technique and amazing play recognition.  Despite a slower 40 time,  I think Spence can go sideline to sideline as well as anyone in the draft.

Impression: If you watch Spence, it’s easy to see his playmaking ability.  I wonder how he and Dunbar, would fit together as both are undersized.

Lavonte Davis – Nebraska
To me, he’s the most complete 4-3 OLB in this draft.  He’s very technically sound with outstanding production.  Pat Kirwan on David: “In two years at Nebraska he was in on 285 tackles, 28 tackles for a loss, 12 sacks, three forced fumbles, two interception and 10 passes defended.  This guy has very good football instincts, and height will not be an issue. Oh, by the way, he’s good enough in pass coverage that he can stay on the field against three wide receiver.”

Impression: This guy comes in and starts at WLB on day 1.  According to Profootball Talk, David and UNC LB Zach Brown were not invited in for a pre-draft visit.  This could
be a smoke screen but it could also be a serious indication on where the Rams plan to address the OLB position and that is not at the top of the second round.

Don’t forget about –

Zach Brown – UNC
I can tell from reading Mock drafts and Rams message boards I’m not as high on Brown as some.  He wasn’t invited in for a pre-draft visit.

Nigel Bradham  - FSU
Started 14-games for the Seminoles at WLB.  Led the team in tackles the last two years.

Sleeper –

Demario Davis – Arkansas State
I really like his athletic ability. Really brings the wood.  He makes plays on both sides of the line of scrimmage.

As we sit less than one week out from the start of the first round, we will spend the rest of the time remaining looking at the different positions the Rams may address in the 2012 draft.  Today, we will look at the defensive tackle position.

Why Is It A Need:

The drop off of play at the defensive tackle position was quiet noticeable.  It seemed as if in a matter just one offseason Fred Robbins had greatly aged.  The signing of Justin Bannan last off-season did very little to make up for decline of Robbins.  The Rams finished 31st in rushing yards allowed, 27th in rushing touchdowns, and 28th in yards per attempt.  Yeah that’s right, a bottom five finish in three major rushing categories.  The season before the defense finished 17th, 4th, and 22th respectively in those categories.

This isn’t what is the most devastated part about the Rams poor run defense.  It’s surrendering franchise single-game rushing records against the Cardinals and the Cowboys. (Note: the only two franchises Emmitt Smith played for). It’s allowing a player they see twice a year, Beanie Wells, to go for 228 yards at the Edward Jones Dome when he had just three 100-yard in the previous 36 games.  It’s getting torched by Ryan Torain for 135 yards on 19 carries at home in a winnable game against the Redskins. Apart from the game against the Rams, Torain rushed for 65 yards on 40 carries and was released by the Redskins before the end of the year.

Of course, the defensive tackle position wasn’t the only reason for the Rams’ inability to stop the run in 2011 (as we’ll discuss later in the week), but it sure was a bigfactor.  This was certainly evidenced by the quick releasing of both Robbins and Bannan  in March.  They have added two free agents to theposition.  First, Kendall Langford.  Langford is coming over from Miami where he played defensive end (5 techinque) in a 3-4 defense.  Judging from the money and length of the contract Langford signed, Fisher and Snead have high hopes that Langford will be able to make a smooth transition to a 3 tech in their 4-3 defense.  They also recently signed Trevor Laws.  Laws was a highly-touted nose tackle coming out of Notre Dame.  The former second rounder has yet to live up to his draft status at the next level, making only two starts in four seasons.  Between the undetermined role Laws is intended to play and the uncertainty that Langford will be able to make the transition, I’d expect the Rams to take a defensive tackle somewhere early in the draft.

Who To Watch For:

Michael Brockers – LSUImmediately after declaring for the draft, Brockers shot up to a top 10 pick.  He quickly became anointed as everyone’s choice as the top defensive tackle in the class. Teams are infatuated with his physical potential. Particularly appealing is his length.  At 6’6 and change, his height is a rarity at the position.  Brockers still has a little work to be done on his ability to rush the passer.   On occasions he shows flashes to get upfield and close the pocket.  However, he has yet to display that fast twitch necessary with his hips to turn the corner and close on the quarterback.

Impression:  Early on he’ll be an upgrade at the position for the Rams but to take his game to the next level he has to develop into a three-down type.

Donateri Poe – Memphis
Poe garnered a lot of attention after a very impressive combine.  Poe’s 4.98 40-yard dash would beimpressive for most defensive tackles.  But when you consider he ran this at 6’4 and 346 lbs, it’s freakish.  Poe also displayed fantastic strength by benching more reps at 225 than other defensive tackle invited to the combine.  His 44 reps were 8 more than the closest competitive.  Poe has tremendous upside.  However, the problem with Poe is that he failed to dominate lower-level competition.

Impression: Poe flashes here and there and has a great motor.  These are two reasons people like MikeMayockand Mel Kiper think he’ll develop into a good pro.  Thequestion thus becomes how long will it take for him to produce at ahigh level.

Fletcher Cox – Mississippi State
Cox is arguably the most polished of the entire class.  Mike Mayock has Cox slotted in in the #1 spot of thedefensive tackle class.  In college, Cox played both the three and the five technique.  He was the fastest defensive tackle at combine.  Cox uses his quickness to threaten gaps and get up field.

Impression:  If fellow Ramsherd’s contributor Brennan had his choice, Fletcher Cox would be the pick for the Rams with the 6th overall pick.  I think he’ll be able to push the pocket and should be stout against the run.  He reminds me of a more limited version of Gerald McCoy.  I’m not sure between him and Langford who would play the 1 technique.

Jerrell Worthy – Michigan State
Jerrell or Brandon Thompson out of Clemson have been my choice since last fall.    Worthy currently sits as Mike Mayock’s number two overall defensive tackles.  He is a very stout run defender, penetrates and runs  the line well.  He has shown on occasions he has the ability to take over a game.

Impression:  With his size and skillset, Worthy could step in and play the 1 technique on day 1.  Butthe6th pick is too early for him and there’s a good chance the 33rdpick is too late.

Alameda Ta’’amu – Washington
Just this week on a radio show with RobRang, the Washington nose tackle claimed that he thought the Ramswould take him with one of their two 2nd round picks. Ta’’amuuses his big, massive, imposing 348 lbs body to eat updouble teams atthe 1 technique.  He sometimes compared to fellow Samoan, Haloti Ngata.

Impression:  I’m not sure how muchstock we can put into Ta’’amu’s claim that the Rams would takehim in the 2nd round.  He will most likely not be a factor in thepassing game.  However, he could be one of the best run defenders inthis defensive class.

Don’t Forget About:

Brandon Thompson – ClemsonI like Thompson a lot.  He’s well coached and a good football player.

Devon Still – PSU
Mel Kiper’s number 1 rated defensive tackle.  He will most likely be gone before the Rams pick at 33.

Kendall Reyes – UConn
Talented, versatile player who served as team captain.

Sleeper:

Mike Martin – MichiganVery similar profile as newly added Trevor Laws.  Shorter, stocky build, who uses wrestling background and quickness to defend the run.

The Rams began their pre-draft visits Monday with a guest list that included Ohio State offensive tackle Mike Adams, Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon, Mississippi State defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, and North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins.

Teams are allowed to bring in as many as 30 draft prospects for visits. In addition, teams can have a "local day" for area prospects.

Under former general manager Billy Devaney, the Rams brought in all of the so-called "top 30" visits over a two- or three-day period.

But under new general manager Les Snead, the visits are being staggered over a two-week period.

Among the other prospects scheduled to visit accorning to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

* Dwight Bentley, CB, Louisiana-Lafayette

* Michael Brockers, DT, LSU

* Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

* Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

* Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

* Mychal Kendricks, LB, California

* Kelechi Osemele, G/T, Iowa State

* Rueben Randle, WR, LSU

* Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama

* Alameda Ta'amu, DT, Washington