With most of the sports and social world still seething from remarks made by Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling, the talk surrounding the upcoming NFL draft has taken a temporary backseat. But it won’t last for long.
Draft pundits and their mock drafts constantly change. And the one thing about mock draft that people tend to forget is: potential draft day trades.
In St. Louis the hot topic is: What will the Rams do with the number two pick in the draft?
It depends on what the Houston Texans do with the first pick in the draft. The Texans are not showing their hand. Most people feel that they will draft Jadeveon Clowney with the first pick, which nobody could fault them for doing. But they could just as easily trade the pick and cash in on the value of such a premium pick.
I think the Texans will find a trade partner, maybe a team like the Atlanta Falcons, whose interest in Clowney is no secret. Maybe they will execute a deal and swap spots and the Texans will get a shot at the quarterback they really covet.
What will the Rams do if this happens? Will they also seek out a trade partner? Or wait for their phone to ring?
No matter what, the Rams are in the catbird seat. Selecting second in the draft this year is not a bad thing. The Rams need help all over the roster. I feel it might come down to taking one of the top tackles or wideout Sammy Watkins.
The Rams haven’t had a lot of success recently drafting tackles in the first round. Names like Alex Barron (2005) and Jason Smith (2009) quickly come to mind. But also keep in mind that this draft is deep and there will be other tackles available, plus the Rams have one of the best line coaches in the NFL in Paul Boudreau.
And that’s why the Rams need to take Sammy Watkins if they don’t trade away their pick. Watkins would put an extra playmaker on the field for this Rams offense.
The Rams need to get more vertical on offense if they want to keep opposing teams from stacking nine or 10 guys in the box. Running back Zac Stacy had a great rookie year and teams know who he is, and it’s important for the Rams to have a more balanced and diverse attack.
The Rams haven’t had a 1,000-yard or Pro Bowl receiver since Torry Holt. And with Jeff Fisher and Les Snead letting the entire sports world know that they are all-in for Sam Bradford, selecting a talent like Watkins makes perfect sense. He’s just what this offense needs.
Chris Givens regressed, and we’re still waiting on Brian Quick. Kenny Britt is a question mark, with Austin Pettis serving as the veteran of the receiving corps, while Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey enter second season.
For more Rams Roundup, please subscribe to our page www.YouTube.com/stlamericanvideo
