NFL Draft 2012: St. Louis Rams Have Options Available with the No. 2 Pick

One of the many ways that the NFL's new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) changed the way business is done in the league revolves around the top of the NFL draft. 

With a rookie wage scale now in place, teams should no longer be afraid to make the jump into the top two or three picks. In the past, outrageous contract numbers for the top picks kept teams from making that move up. That incentive to stay put is no longer an issue.

While the Indianapolis Colts likely won't entertain offers for the No. 1 pick  so that they can take Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, the St. Louis Rams might be the team that tastes the benefits of the new CBA first.  

The Rams hold the No. 2 pick and with no need at quarterback, they can hold a draft auction for rights to the selection. As it stands right now, several teams—including the Washington Redskins, Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins—could be in the market for a move up in the draft with hopes of drafting Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III.

Depending on which team makes the most aggressive move, the Rams could find themselves with a wealth of picks in either the 2012 or 2013 draft. Either way, St. Louis would benefit greatly in draft capital by finding a suitable trading partner at No. 2. 

While trading the pick is obviously the top option for the Rams, what if no suitable trade comes in April? 

Assuming that might end up being the case, here are some other options (in no specific order) for St. Louis:

1. Pick a Wide Receiver

The Rams have lacked a top receiver for Sam Bradford since they drafted him two Aprils ago. With Brandon Lloyd, who St. Louis traded for last season, being a free-agent, a hole at that position remains. But if the Rams stay at No. 2, is there a receiver good enough to take that high? 

2. Pick a Tackle

It's hard to even know the true value of your receiving targets if your quarterback is consistently under pressure. In 2011, that was the reality for whoever was under center for St. Louis. With Matt Kalil an option at No. 2, the Rams could go offensive tackle. The value meets the need . 

3. Pick a Cornerback

This is a long shot, especially since cornerbacks aren't as valuable as either a receiver or cornerback. But there's no doubt that the Rams need help in the secondary and Morris Claiborne is among the draft's safest picks. If the Rams think Claiborne can have a similar impact as Patrick Peterson did in Arizona in 2010, wouldn't they have to consider it?