Cody Wichmann to St. Louis Rams: Full Draft-Pick Breakdown

The St. Louis Rams are clearly revamping the entire offensive line. With the No. 215 pick in the sixth round, they added Fresno State guard Cody Wichmann. 

The Rams are simply fed up with their underperforming offensive line. Since Jeff Fisher's arrival, the team has been relying on aging veterans (Scott Wells, Jake Long, Davin Joseph) and players with known injury issues (Rodger Saffold). 

St. Louis is tired of having half of its offensive line on the injury report by Week 7. In response to this issue, the Rams decided to grab numerous young and healthy linemen in the draft. 

They drafted Rob Havenstein of Wisconsin in the second round, followed by Louisville's Jamon Brown in the third. The team then selected Iowa tackle Andrew Donnal in Round 4. 

Apparently, those three players were not enough to satisfy the Rams. The team opted for Wichmann, and it would be wise to assume the Rams will sign multiple rookie free-agent linemen. 

The first three linemen drafted were tackles. Brown and Donnal have the potential to play guard, but all three players are better suited as tackles. 

Wichmann differs from those three guys since he's a natural interior guy. 

We can't say for sure that St. Louis has finally fixed its line. However, no one can say it didn't try. 

How Wichmann Fits in with the Rams

As mentioned, Wichmann is a pure interior guy. Guard was a huge need entering the draft, so he was a solid selection. 

Havenstein is strictly a right tackle. And as a second-round pick, he'll be expected to become the Day 1 starter. He won't be handed the job, but it'll be a monumental disappointment if he's not in the starting lineup early on. 

With Havenstein on the right edge, that means Brown, Donnal and Wichmann will duke it out over the left guard position. 

All three players have experience at tackle, but guard is the bigger need. Greg Robinson will man the left tackle spot, and Saffold will step in at right guard. However, left guard is wide open. 

Utilizing the "strength in numbers" strategy with offensive linemen not only creates competition but gives St. Louis depth. 

The rookies who fail to earn starting jobs will still be useful as backups. Given the number of injuries the line has suffered in recent years, that's an important advantage. 

Wichmann isn't as talented physically as his three rookie counterparts, so he'll likely begin his year as a backup. He isn't a vicious run-blocker and lacks elite athleticism, but he's a strong guy who holds his own in pass protection. He'll need development in the run game, but he'll keep the quarterback upright. 

Eugene Tanner/Associated Press

Initial Reaction and Grade for Wichmann Pick

With three offensive linemen already selected, it would be foolish to state that the Wichmann pick was surprising in any way. The Rams decided to go all-out on the line, so every pick had the potential to be a new lineman. 

Many assumed that free agent Joe Barksdale would have re-signed by now, or that the Rams would have inked one or two outside free agents. 

When neither of those things happened, it became clear that St. Louis was in a tough position. It wasn't hard to predict that the Rams would grab numerous linemen. 

Rams fans should be thankful the team ignored the common consensus and passed on a lineman in Round 1 for Todd Gurley. Had that not happened, this would have been one boring draft. 

While Wichmann isn't expected to start immediately, he'll push the other linemen and provide a safety net. He was a smart pickup. 

Grade: B