Leading up to this year's NFL draft, many analysts debated who the Rams were going to take with the second overall pick. Until the Dolphins announced that they were signing Jake Long, many had speculated the Rams would jump at the opportunity.
Once Long was eliminated from the talks, it came down to two very talented defensive linemen: Glenn Dorsey and Chris Long (no relation). Many said Dorsey was the most talented defensive linemen in the draft. So what would the Rams go with: talent or another defensive end? Don't forget that the Rams drafted Adam Carriker with their first-round pick the year before.
However, the real question became: do they feel comfortable with Adam's ability to play on the interior of the line? The answer was evident at the draft when they selected Chris Long. The new question is whether the drafting of Chris Long is a move to solidify the line this year, or is it a move to replace Leonard Little in the near future.
They now have two good linemen that could play defensive end to fill in for an aging Little, who has become a little more injury prone late in his career.
It would make sense as a move for both, and may be exactly the versatile move that fills their current need for another edge rusher, and a possible future need now that they have two versatile pass rushers.
Chris Long can play end or linebacker, and if the Rams really need him to, he could move inside. Along with him, they have Carriker, who can also play end or interior line.
The defensive line is starting to come together for the future. If the Rams can put together two solid lines for the near future, it could put them back in the playoff mix very soon.
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