2012 NFL Draft Preview: 5 Players the St. Louis Rams Should Target with 2nd Pick

The 2012 NFL draft will likely be be one of the most active, intense and exciting NFL drafts ever, due in part to the new collective bargaining agreement (which is very team-friendly in regard to the rookie wage scale), and the presence of two highly-touted potential franchise quarterbacks—Andrew Luck of Stanford and Robert Griffin III of Baylor. 

For a team like the St. Louis Rams, who now hold the rights to the second overall selection behind Indianapolis, the aftermath that comes from decisions made regarding the pick will be vital towards what strides, if any, they make toward a return to the NFL playoffs and a step toward reestablishing league prominence.

Although I expect the Rams to parlay the pick into several premium picks via trade, there is a possibility, however small, that St. Louis retains the pick and selects the prospect that they feel will make the biggest impact and/or fill the greatest area of need.  

If the Rams do indeed keep the No. 2 pick, these are five players that they should target. 

If chosen, any of these players would most likely develop into cornerstones for St. Louis in the seasons to come. 

Keep in mind, NFL mock draft orders will change in the coming months with pro days and the NFL scouting combine forthcoming.  Any of the players detailed on the falling slides could enhance his perceived value or hurt his stock between now and the 2012 NFL draft.

With that said, let us begin.

Robert Griffin III

Robert Griffin III could be next year's Cam Newton.

Newton nearly made the Pro Bowl while breaking the NFL's all-time record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback, and is a lock to land the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

Griffin III possesses the same type of running ability, overall athleticism and arm strength that enabled Newton to flourish in his rookie year with Carolina. 

Some people around the league are reportedly touting Griffin III as the top available quarterback, ahead of Andrew Luck, in the 2012 NFL Draft.

With Indianapolis locking up the No. 1 pick with a loss to Jacksonville, that point may be moot, as the Colts are reportedly very high on Andrew Luck of Stanford.  

However unlikely it may be that the Rams move 2010 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Sam Bradford, what would it hurt to fully research the option of Robert Griffin III and what he could potentially bring to St. Louis?  

His talents are transcendent.  He is able to do anything on the field with his arm, legs and staggering athleticism.  In contrast, Bradford, who is highly gifted himself, does not posses some of the athletic abilities of Griffin III. 

Bradford can beat you with his arm.  Griffin III can beat you however he wants to.  

With all that said, I believe the Rams will ultimately keep Bradford and provide him with several desperately needed weapons through the draft and free agency.  I believe that Bradford will eventually become the elite, Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback that St. Louis envisioned when it chose him first overall in the 2010 NFL draft.

However, if St. Louis does its due diligence (as it should) in looking Griffin III over and comes away believing his career trajectory is better than Bradford's, then the franchise must consider nabbing the Heisman Trophy winner from Baylor.  

It would be foolish to close minds and doors by making an uninformed decision before properly analyzing the option to the uttermost.

It would make little sense to inadequately investigate Robert Griffin III and scout him in every way feasible before determining if it indeed makes sense to go in another direction. 

For a detailed scouting profile of the Baylor quarterback, please take a look at this excellent report from New Era Scouting. 

NFL comparisons: Cam Newton, Michael Vick, Randall Cunningham

Justin Blackmon

The St. Louis Rams have lacked an elite wide receiving corps since potential future NFL Hall of Famers Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt dominated defensive backs on the turf of the Edward Jones Dome.  

Whether the Rams move forward with Sam Bradford or shock us by trading him, they must still add an elite playmaking wideout to the roster to provide their quarterback with an explosive, reliable go-to target in the passing game.

The best available such prospect in the 2012 NFL draft is Justin Blackmon of Oklahoma State. 

A big and strong target, Blackmon has produced prolificly at Oklahoma State and would be a welcome addition to the Rams subpar receiving corps.  He's terrific after the catch and in the red zone. 

His college coach, Mike Gundy, has called him Oklahoma State's best receiver ever.  That's high-praise coming from a man who also coached 2010 first round selection Dez Bryant of the Dallas Cowboys.  

The Rams have struggled with drops this season, and Blackmon would bring sure hands to St. Louis. He's very good after the catch and after contact.  He is regarded as being very tough and physical. 

Although Blackmon is lacking elite timed speed, (clocking in around 4.5 in the 40 yard dash), many great receivers run/ran in that range but became elite receivers nonetheless.  Some of the best that fit that mold include Larry Fitzgerald, the aforementioned Isaac Bruce, and the legendary Jerry Rice, who ran a pedestrian 4.71 40 coming out of Mississippi Valley State.

If St. Louis holds onto the second pick, they should strongly consider adding Justin Blackmon to bolster their inept offense and receiving corps. 

Even if the Rams resign Brandon Lloyd (which likely has a great deal to do with Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels' future in St. Louis) or  add a receiver like Pierre Garcon, Dwayne Bowe, or Marques Colston, the Rams should take a long look at Blackmon.

St. Louis could certainly use the infiltration of multiple offensive weapons.  Afterall, this was once the home of the NFL's greatest offense, the Greatest Show on Turf.

For detailed analysis of Blackmon, look here.  

NFL comparisons: Brandon Marshall, faster Anquan Boldin, Terrell Owens

Matt Kalil

Matt Kalil could do for the Rams what Orlando Pace did for Kurt Warner and the Greatest Show on Turf:

Anchor the left side of the line for a decade plus while locking down the franchise quarterback's blindside and setting the standard for the entire offensive line.

That's what Orlando Pace, the seven time Pro Bowler and five time All Pro did for the St. Louis Rams offense and is what Kalil potentially could do here, too.

By selecting Kalil, the Rams could possibly fill several needs.

With Kalil in place, St. Louis could slide Rodger Saffold to right tackle and either cut ties with the disappointing and often-injured Jason Smith, or, if he's able to return from yet another season ending head injury, move Smith to guard.

Smith excels in the run game but seems to struggle in space.  Moving him to guard could be a natural fit.

Kalil, conversely, excels in space and loves blocking downfield.  He also displays quick feet in pass protection.

If St. Louis grabs Kalil, the Rams could potentially impact three-fifths of their annually struggling offensive line in a positive manner.

A team could have elite weapons in place but if the quarterback is not given sufficient time consistently, he will have trouble delivering the ball.  That is something that will undoubtedly be considered this offseason in St. Louis.

For detailed analysis of Kalil, click here.  

NFL comparison: Jake Long

Morris Claiborne

Morris Claiborne came to LSU as a receiver before moving moved to cornerback.  Last year he became a full-time starter alongside 2011 NFL first-round pick Patrick Peterson. 

He has the size, fluidity, ball skills, instincts and speed to potentially be that rarest of finds in the NFL: a lock-down corner.

Claiborne is the number one corner on virtually all mock draft boards.  

When considering the Rams lost their top three corners to injury and a baker's dozen or so over the course of the season, it would be shocking if St. Louis did not take a look at Claiborne or at least a corner later in the draft.

Starting cornerback Bradley Fletcher went down with the second major injury to his right knee in three years so his long-term future is uncertain.

Fellow starting corner Ron Bartell is expected to return full strength next year but will be 30 in February. 

Nickle corner Jerome Murphy, an athletic defensive back who excels in run support, will return.  He played well as a rookie in 2010 but his resume is too short to label him a building block. 

Al Harris played well but has announced his retirement. 

The bottom line is the Rams have some question marks in the secondary.  Adding Claiborne would solidify the secondary and add insurance in the case that Fletcher is unable to return and/or if Bartell does not return to previous form.

In today's pass-happy NFL, a team cannot have too many adequate corners, especially one of Claiborne's skill level.

For a detailed look at Claiborne, go here.  

NFL comparison: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

Trent Richardson

Trent Richardson could be the backup running back that St. Louis needs as they could pair him with incumbent Steven Jackson while grooming him to be the eventual successor to the St. Louis Rams all-time rushing leader. 

Richardson has the ability to take any touch to the house and excels in breaking tackles and possesses a rare and lethal combination of strength and speed.

Steven Jackson will be 29 next season and most running backs (not all), hit the proverbial wall around age 30.  

Jackson takes tremendous care of his body year-round but also takes a tremendous beating each year. 

After seven straight seasons with 1,000 or more rushing yards, nobody knows for sure how much is left in the tank. 

At some point, Jackson will slow down.  Even if that is two or three years down the road, he needs help and getting that now help would only prolong his effectiveness. 

Richardson could be that help as he spells Jackson as Jackson once did for Hall of Fame inductee Marshall Faulk.

Jackson spelled Faulk during his rookie season before slowing taking over as the feature back for St. Louis the following year.

This scenario could conceivably repeat itself, although not likely quite as quickly, if the Rams draft Richardson with the second overall pick.

Of the five options given, Richardson is the least likely pick as he is the least needed.    

At this point, with so many holes on the roster, drafting a backup running back and/or an eventual successor is more of a luxury than a necessity (although the days of it being a luxury are growing relatively short).

If the Rams don't trade out of the pick (although I think they will) and Richardson is the highest rated player on the board, St. Louis could draft a running back in the first round for the first time since Jackson in 2004 and potentially continue the Rams legacy of fielding an all-time back.

The organization's running back pedigree is ultra-rich, with Eric Dickerson, Faulk and Jackson heading the way.  Few franchises, if any, can match that track record.  

Potentially, Richardson could one day make that a foursome if St. Louis nabs him with the second pick.

Click here for detailed analysis of Richardson. 

NFL comparison: LaDainian Tomlinson 

Shane Gray covers the St. Louis Rams year round. To check out the rest of his work, go here.  You are also encouraged to follow him here on Twitter.