2012 NFL Combine Defensive Backs: Glancing at Potential Future Rams Draft Picks

The St. Louis Rams lost 10 defensive backs for the season in 2011, so there is not a position on the roster tougher for new St. Louis general manager Les Snead to evaluate than cornerback.

That said, attention turns to the DBs at the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where Morris Claiborne heads the list of future NFL hopefuls vying for draft position today.  

Both the safeties and corners will work out today before the NFL's annual evaluation event comes to a close for another year.  For the complete list of DBs working out in Indy today (as well as their measurements and bench press totals), please go to WalterFootball.com and their report here. 

The Rams are pretty solid at safety with former Pro Bowl selection Quintin Mikell returning and Darian Stewart likely to return (exclusive-rights free agent). 

It is not outside the realm of possibility that St. Louis eventually grabs a safety in the 2012 NFL draft, particularly one in the later rounds.  

However, the Rams have bigger holes to fill at other positions on D, including gaping holes at outside linebacker and defensive tackle.

Corner could also be a position that is prioritized over safety, especially when considering the questionable long-term health of would-be 2011 starting corner Bradley Fletcher.  

Fletcher hyper-extended his right knee for the second time in three years (2009, 2011).  The setback sent him to the injured reserve both seasons.  

Some corners to keep an eye today include the aforementioned Claiborne of LSU, Dre Fitzpatrick of Alabama, Janoris Jenkins of Alabama, Chase Minnifield of Virginia, Josh Norman of Coastal Carolina and Asa Jackson of Cal Poly.  

A couple of mid- to late-round safety prospects worth watching include Janzen Jackson of McNeese State and Christian Thompson of South Carolina State.  

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