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. 

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

As a vilifed group showed up to beg for a reduced sentence, the brainchild of their crime stared down more evidence that he should never again be paid to coach football on any level.

Gregg Williams ought to be banned for life.

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton visited the NFL’s mothership Thursday, to appeal to the compassionate side of his judge, jury and arbitrator—commissioner Roger Goodell wearing all robes—for a reprieve in the season-long sentence Payton received for his role in the bounty system.

Goodell also heard appeals from general manager Mickey Loomis and assistant coach Joe Vitt, and if Payton’s petition results in his banishment being cut to, say, 14 games, and if Loomis and Vitt also receive a drop of leniency—well, that would be tolerable for those who can appreciate the game’s inherent violence while understanding certain lines cannot be crossed.

But how can anyone with a conscience ever again hire Williams in any capacity? He shouldn’t be allowed near the water bottles, never mind humans who prefer their body parts kept relatively intact.

Nike revealed the new look for the St. Louis Rams for the 2012 season Tuesday morning.

The Rams unveiled the new look at Brooklyn, New York.  The uniforms still highlight the traditional blue and yellow colors.  They also fit more snug to the player's body.

Nike is now the official uniform maker of the National Football League.  Reebok had held the contract for a dozen seasons.

Nike and the NFL agreed to five-year, reported $1.1 billion licensing deal for apparel worn by players, fans and sideline officials. The apparel will become available at retailers at the end of April.

Reebok and adidas controlled licensing for the NFL for the past decade. It is believed the loss of the licensing contract with the NFL will result in an approximate $200 million to $250 million a year in lost revenue for Reebok, according to Fox Business.

Alterations to the uniforms vary by team.

On the Rams' official Facebook page, the team said it decided to take "full innovation" in the Nike Elite 51 uniform, which includes Flywire technology that reduces weight and provides a lockdown fit over pads.