NFL Draft 2012: Why St. Louis Rams Must Trade No. 2 Overall Pick

The St. Louis Rams have let it be known that they are willing to trade the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. When you consider how much help they need on both sides of the ball, they really must trade down and stockpile picks and players to aid their rebuilding process.

ESPN has reported that the team has already had trade discussions with the Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins and Miami Dolphins about trading into the second spot. All three teams are thought to be interested in moving up to select Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III. 

After Griffin's performance at the NFL's Scouting Combine, that No. 2 pick has gained a whole lot more weight. If the Rams can move down and get a pick within the Top 10 of this year's draft while also adding some late-round picks and possibly a first-rounder next year, it would greatly accelerate their rebuilding process.

If St. Louis stays put there are options available with the second pick. The Rams could opt to get franchise quarterback Sam Bradford a reliable target to throw to in Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon, or take the second-best player in the draft, USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil. The problem is, St. Louis would likely be able to get Blackmon later in the Top 10 and the team appears content to keep Rodger Saffold at its left tackle and go with a cheaper option on the right side.

The Rams need to do whatever they can to move down. Again, staying within the Top 10 would almost certainly ensure they could snag a top player like Blackmon while being able to add other key pieces in the deal.

With guys like Bradford and Chris Long on the roster to go along with an aging but still effective Steven Jackson, the Rams have some nice pieces. But they need to surround those guys with a much higher level of talent. One high first-round pick is not going to accomplish much. But getting multiple picks over the next two years would certainly go a long way to filling out the roster.