The moment the St. Louis Rams finished their second straight season with 7-9 record, I excitedly flipped my calendar to view the date May 8, 2014. Because that’s the first day of the 2014 NFL draft. And it’s here.
This may be the most important draft in the Jeff Fisher and Les Snead regime. Why? Because, they’ve pushed their chips into the middle of the table on Sam Bradford and haven’t wavered at all about their support of their quarterback. On a recent podcast with Rich Eisen of NFL Network, Snead said Bradford is the quarterback of the present and future for the Rams.
There are a lot of quarterbacks available in the draft, and thanks to Snead’s making big move in 2012 the Rams are still enjoying the spoils from the RG3 trade with the Washington Redskins. In return the Rams added Isiah Pead, Daryl Richardson, Chris Givens and Brian Quick to give Bradford weapons. That season the offense finished 25th in scoring (18.7 points per game) and the team had a respectable record of 7-8-1, with large contributions from Chris Givens and Daryl Richardson.
In the following draft in 2013, the Rams added Stedman Bailey, Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey, Zac Stacy and Bennie Cunningham. And the offense did improve some, but not fast enough to keep up with the rest of the NFC west. The offense ranked 21st in points, 27th in passing and 30th in yards. Givens’ play dropped off from his rookie season. Austin and Bailey showed promise. Stacy muscled the running back job from both Pead and Richardson.
I predict the Rams may see if there is a trade partner for the number two pick, which could be either Jadeveon Clowney or Sammy Watkins. Wouldn’t that be a pleasant surprise if Clowney was still available at number two? I just don’t see the Rams drafting Greg Robinson at number two; maybe if they moved down like six or even seven in the first round. But, if they stay at number two then they need to call Watkins.
Bradford has never been given an elite downfield threat like Watkins. He’s thrown to guys like Danny Amendola, Mark Clayton and Brandon Lloyd, and out of those three only Lloyd has posted a 1,000-yard season at wideout.
The Rams go into the draft with 12 picks, starting with that number two pick. None of the tackles are worth being drafted that high. If you’re not drafting a tackle like an Orlando Pace or Jonathan Ogden, then you take the best player available at that number: Watkins.
With 11 picks remaining, the Rams would be in a great position to fill needs on the team with depth on the offense line and even at quarterback. It also could give team more flexibility when looking for veterans during free agency.
On a personal note, I want to wish my oldest daughter Kynnedie Alexander a “Happy Birthday!” She is turning nine.
For more Rams Roundup, subscribe to our page at youtube.com/stlamericanvideo.
