Five Reasons Why The Rams Should Consider Taking Darren McFadden

First, I want to let everyone know that I am a fan of Rams running back Steven Jackson. He plays with heart, has the speed to take it the distance, and the strength to pick up the tough yards. He catches the ball out of the backfield better than any other back, evidenced by his 90 receptions in 2006. Jackson is one of the top three running backs in the NFL and should be for a few more years.

With that being said, Jackson is not very popular in St. Louis among many Rams fans. He is perceived as cocky, outspoken and concerned more about the music they play at the Edward Jones Dome than he is about beating the 49ers on Sunday. 

I personally don't agree with the large percentage of the Rams fans base. If those same fans who hate on Jackson because of his dreads or whatever would actually watch the games, they would see a player who never gave up last season and at times was the only player on the team who seemed like he wanted to win.

And another thing, I agree with Jackson, the music they play at The Dome is awful. It is an outdated type of music I have dubbed "receding rock" because most of the fans of that type of music have a receding hair line. Instead of pumping up the fans with say Lil' Jon and The East Side Boyz, we are subjected to Sammy Hagar and Joe Walsh. 

Regardless, the point I am trying to make is that although I like Steven Jackson and truly believe he is a great player, I still believe that they should consider trading him and drafting Darren McFadden with the second pick in the first round of the NFL Draft.

What?

Here are 5 reasons why....

Money

Jackson's contract expires after the 2008 season and there are no guarantees that he will be back in a Rams uniform in 2009. The Rams also have a lot of money tied up in quarterback Marc Bulger and are going to have to pay up for the No. 2 overall pick in this year's draft. 

Economically, if Jackson has a big season for the Rams in '08 he might play himself out of what the Rams could comfortably afford. Jackson is also a West Coast guy, not fully appreciated in St. Louis. He might even take slightly less money to sign with Oakland, Arizona, or even Dallas.

Needs

The Rams currently have the rights to the second overall pick in the 2008 Draft and depending on who the Miami Dolphins select with the first pick, the Rams have a chance to select the elite player in this draft: Darren McFadden. 

I am a strong believer in the philosophy that you select the best player available, regardless of position. The Rams have needs at every position on both sides of the ball except running back, but with the notion that Jackson might be gone after this season they are not in a position to pass on this draft's best player available.

Injury Concerns

Steven Jackson is a four-year NFL veteran, and for a running back we can assume that he has two or three great years left. I know he will turn 25 before the beginning of next season, but Jackson was a banged up this season and only played in 12 games last year for the Rams. 

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