St. Louis Rams 2012 Mock Draft: Buying or Selling Matt Miller's Latest Picks

Now that the 2012 NFL Combine has reached a conclusion, draftniks everywhere can gather results and formulate well-informed mock drafts, as well as draft day predictions. 

Here at Bleacher Report, we put a lot of stock in our local draft pundit, Matt Miller, because he remains current on off-season happenings and possesses considerable football knowledge. 

Miller released his latest mock draft several days ago, and his scenario has the Rams trading down with the Washington Redskins and acquiring their first, second and third-round picks (as well their first and second-round picks in 2013). 

Miller made some solid picks on the Rams' behalf, but there were still some questionable selections. As a result, we'll constructively analyze each pick and decide which ones work and which ones we can live without. 

Round 1 (6): Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)

It's hard to argue with the logic that Miller used to formulate this pick, especially since the Rams had the second-worst run defense in the NFL last season. 

Also, it's hard to dislike Michael Brockers as a player, considering his production with the LSU Tigers, as well as his monstrous size (6'5", 322 pounds). 

So the problem is not necessarily with the player, but rather the circumstances surrounding the pick. 

The Rams are absolutely desperate on offense, so it's hard to fathom a scenario where they ignore that side of the ball with the top pick, unless they have no other logical choice. 

But in Miller's mock draft, this is not the case. In fact, he has receiver Justin Blackmon going to Jacksonville with the very next pick, which is surely a scenario that would outrage the St. Louis fan base. 

After Ryan Pickett, Damione Lewis, Jimmy Kennedy and Adam Carriker — all recent first-round defensive tackles who didn't pan out with the Rams — there's not a whole lot of enthusiasm among St. Louis fans when it comes to potentially selecting yet another defensive tackle in the first round.

Fan perception should not influence the pick, at least not significantly, but it still gives us an idea on how this hypothetical pick would be viewed by the public. 

Pick Grade: B-

Gerwel's Alernative: Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)

Round 2 (33): Jonathan Martin, T (Stanford)

Landing Jonathan Martin in the second-round with the No. 33 overall pick would be an incredible bargain for the Rams. But is it a realistic scenario? 

Grabbing first-round talent at No. 33 overall is ideal, especially when it covers a position of great need (offensive tackle). 

However, Martin has been regarded as a mid first-round pick and even a near top-10 prospect by some, so it's not realistic to assume that he'll drop to round two simply because he killed some of his hype at the combine.

Why do we sometimes assume that a player's workout is more telling than their accomplishments on the field?

A player's worth is determined during Autumn with the pads on, not during February at a talent show.

Andre Smith's combine in 2009 was a disaster, far more troubling than anything Martin could dream of, but Smith was still the No. 6 overall pick because scouts value raw talent above all else (even if Smith is a complete bust).

Martin is a phenomenal possibility for the Rams, but his skill set will ensure that he's off the board long before the Rams pick at No. 33 overall. 

Grade: A+

Gerwel's Alternative: None. He would make a phenomenal pick at No. 33 overall, but I just don't think he'll be available at that spot. 

Round 2 (39): Marvin Jones, WR (California)

Marvin Jones was measured at 6'2" and 199 pounds at the combine, which helped boost his stock along with his 4.46-second 40-yard dash. 

However, while Jones certainly looks the part and has alluring potential, he's likely nothing more than 35-catch receiver who'll sit in the middle of the depth chart.

Between Austin Pettis, Greg Salas and Brandon Gibson, the Rams have enough mediocre receivers who project as No. 2 wideouts (in a best-case scenario).

The Rams need a difference-maker at the position, not a player who's potential is limited to "just average". 

On top of that, Jones also lacked production in college—his best year was in 2011 with just 846 yards and three touchdowns. 

Frankly, Jones is a huge reach in the upper half of round two. 

Grade: D

Gerwel's Alternative: Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)

Round 3 (66): David Wilson, RB (Virginia Tech)

Ryan Williams dominated Virginia Tech's backfield until he was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals a year ago, but David Wilson was able to emerge from Williams' shadow and piece together a solid 2011 campaign. 

Last season, Wilson carried the ball 290 times for 1,709 yards and nine touchdowns as the Hokies' feature back. 

At 5'10" and 205 pounds, Wilson is more of a finesse runner who would theoretically provide a nice contrast in the backfield behind the bruising Steven Jackson. 

However, while Wilson certainly depends on his speed, he's not considered a true home run threat, as is evident from his 4.49-second 40-yard dash at the combine. 

A running back with elite speed would be ideal for the Rams, but Wilson could very likely be the "best of the rest" when the Rams are on the clock with their 66th overall pick, which clearly makes this a solid choice by Matt Miller. 

Grade: A

Gerwel's Alternative: Chase Minnifield, CB (Virginia)

Round 3 (70): Lavonte David, OLB (Nebraska)

Lavonte David stand at 6'1", but his weight is still in question. It's been reported that he weighs as little as 215 pounds, but some reports have him at 233 pounds. 

Given his weight, he likely projects solely as a weakside linebacker. However, the Rams could use a linebacker on either side of James Laurinaitis, so it doesn't make much of a difference from their point of view. 

Outside linebackers are undervalued in a 4-3 defensive scheme, which suggests that maybe a third-round pick is a bit too high for one.

However, the Rams have been looking for consistency at outside linebacker for the better part of a decade, so perhaps using a high draft pick can solve the problem once and for all.  

Grade: B

Gerwel's Alternative: LaMichael James, RB (Oregon)

Round 4 (97): Dwight Jones, WR (North Carolina)

North Carolina has produced some capable receivers in recent years, such as Greg Little and Hakeem Nicks (although Little has not peaked quite yet). 

Dwight Jones figures to be yet another physically gifted receiver who wore the Tar Heels' uniform, but his stock as taken a nosedive due to his off-the-field antics and questionable effort .

But regardless of his personalty, Jones measured in at 6'3" and 230 pounds at the combine. Such a sizable frame may be too enticing for scouts to ignore. 

It's not just his measurables either. He was very productive at North Carolina with 2,142 yards and 16 touchdowns over the last two seasons. 

There's certainly some risk involved with Jones, and some doubt whether he'll ever reach his potential. 

However, if the cost is merely a fourth-round pick, then he's well worth the risk. 

Grade: A-

Gerwel's Alternative: None. Jones provides great value in the fourth-round and would be well worth the risk. 

Round 6 (161): DeAngelo Peterson, TE (LSU)

The Rams used a second-round draft pick on tight end Lance Kendricks in 2011, so there's still some hope that he'll pan out. 

Kendricks is smaller tight end (247 pounds) and considered more of a "hybrid" player. As a result, the Rams still have a void on their roster that can only be filled with a more traditional tight end. 

But at 6'3" and only 243 pounds, DeAngelo Peterson is not likely the man for the job. 

However, Peterson could actually be a valuable pick in the sixth-round as a backup to Kendricks, since they are in fact similar players. 

But in the end, a less-talented version of Kendricks would not be as valuable as a backup defensive tackle or cornerback. 

Grade: C

Gerwel's Alternative: Chris Galippo, LB (USC)

Round 7 (194): Austin Davis, QB (Southern Mississippi)

Sam Bradford had his struggles last season, but he's still considered an elite prospect and is clearly thought of as the Rams' quarterback of the future.

However, there's nothing wrong with taking a flier on a late-round passer as a contingency plan. 

Bradford will continue to run the team without the threat of being benched, but in the meantime, the Rams can develop a raw prospect over next several years in case things don't pan out. 

On the other hand, Kellen Clemens is rightfully the front-runner for the Rams backup job in 2012 due to his experience in Brian Schottenheimer's offense. And since backup quarterback is not an immediate need, the Rams may be better off using this pick on another outside linebacker, or perhaps a lineman.    

Grade: A-

Gerwel's Alternative: Levy Adcock, T (Oklahoma State)

Final Results

Matt Miller's Draft

Round 1 (6): Michael Brockers, DT (LSU)

Round 2 (33): Jonathan Martin, T (Stanford)

Round 2 (39): Marvin Jones, WR (California)

Round 3 (66): David Wilson, RB (Virginia Tech)

Round 3 (70): Lavonte David, OLB (Nebraska)

Round 4 (97): Dwight Jones, WR (North Carolina)

Round 6 (161): DeAngelo Peterson, TE (LSU)

Round 7 (194): Austin Davis, QB (Southern Mississippi)

Steven Gerwel's Draft: 

Round 1 (6): Justin Blackmon, WR (Oklahoma State)

Round 2 (33): Jonathan Martin, T (Stanford)

Round 2 (39): Jerel Worthy, DT (Michigan State)

Round 3 (66): Chase Minnifield, CB (Virginia)

Round 3 (70): LaMichael James, RB (Oregon)

Round 4 (97): Dwight Jones, WR (North Carolina)

Round 6 (161): Chris Galippo, LB (USC) 

Round 7 (194): Levy Adcock, T/G (Oklahoma State)