St. Louis Rams' Seven Round Mock Draft

Being a Rams fan this time of year is usually very painful.  The Rams executives in charge of the draft have notoriously made some terrible draft picks.  In this decade alone the Rams have selected in the first round in “suck”cession—Trung Candidate (2000), Damione Lewis, Adam Archuleta, and Ryan Pickett (2001), Robert Thomas (2002), Jimmy Kennedy (2003), Alex Barron (2005), and Tye Hill (2006). 

The only standout came from the 2004 Draft with the selection of franchise running back Steven Jackson.  And it is too early to say whether last year’s first round pick Adam Carriker, will become a solid NFL pro or become another bust like the aforementioned bums.   All of these recent draft nightmares got me to thinking who I would take if I were in charge of the Rams War Room.  So for all you Rams fans out there here is whom I would take if I were given the keys to the franchise. 

First Round: Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State 

The Rams need to add another pass-rusher opposite Leonard Little.  Little, who is 34 and recovering from off-season toe surgery, has had a stellar NFL career since being drafted by the Rams in the third round out of Tennessee.  But besides Little, the Rams have such notables as Victor Adeanyju and Eric Moore to man the right defensive end position. Gholston, who I favor at this point over Virginia DE Chris Long, has the ability to get to the quarterback and make plays.  After an outstanding career with the Buckeyes, Gholston has really opened scouts eyes with his performance at the Combine and at his Pro Day in Columbus.

The knock on Gholston is that he tends to take plays off and is a bit raw in regards to his technique.  Some will argue that the Rams should take a Long, (Chris or Jake) or perhaps Glen Dorsey.  But I think that Gholston is more of a playmaker than Chris Long is at this point. He embarrassed Jake Long for a sack this season when the Buckeyes played Michigan, and Glen Dorsey’s injuries has forced me to re-evaluate the top prospects and send Gholston skyrocketing up draft boards and end up with the Rams at pick number two. 

Second Round: Branden Albert, OG, Virginia 

Imagine the Rams surprise when Virginia OG Branden Albert falls into their laps at pick #33.  The Rams up to that point probably had a wide receiver penciled in for the second round or possibly even a cornerback.  I am thinking Mario Manningham or Justin King, but Albert is too good to pass up. 

The Rams offensive line was decimated last season by injury and depth on the line is a priority for the Rams heading into the draft.  And although the Rams signed Jacob Bell in free agency to play guard, the selection of Albert allows starting right guard Richie Incognito to slide over and play center, the position he played in college. 

If Albert happens to be scooped up before pick 33, I would then consider taking a receiver, Manningham, Michigan State’s Devin Thomas and LSU’s Early Doucet should all be available and capable of one day filling the shoes of future Hall of Fame receiver Isaac Bruce, but… 

Third Round: Eddie Royal, WR, Virginia Tech 

…the reason I was able to pass on a receiver in the second round and take the best guard in the draft was because I was gambling that Virginia Tech speedster Eddie Royal would be available. Royal is a threat to score every time the ball is in his hands.  His speed and his playmaking ability were the two primary factors on why I passed up some of his more accomplished contemporaries at the receiver position. 

Royal is also a dangerous return man a luxury that the Rams have lacked since Tony Horne skipped town in 2000. Under Torry Holt’s tutelage, Royal should improve as a route runner, which will allow him to optimize his speed and create space.  With the addition of Al Saunders as Rams offensive coordinator, Royal could be used in various creative ways to get more involved in the offense.  Ultimately, I envision him developing into a legitimate No.1 Receiver in the NFL, in the Steve Smith (Carolina) mold. 

Fourth Round: Tommy Blake, DE, TCU 

Going into his senior season Blake was regarded as a top twenty-five prospect.  After being diagnosed as bi-polar and seeing his weight balloon from 255 to 287, Blake’s stock has taking a hit, falling all the way to the Rams at the beginning of Round Four. 

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