2012 NFL Draft: St. Louis Rams' 3 Biggest Needs

It isn’t very often a team finds solace in finishing the season with a record of 2-14. But, for the St. Louis Rams, finishing with two wins led them to securing the No. 2 overall pick.

The No. 2 overall pick, of course, meant securing the rights to one of two franchise quarterbacks available in the upcoming draft. The Rams, with Sam Bradford, didn’t have a need at the position, so early in the process they made it known the pick was available.

On March 9^th, just four days before free agency began, the Rams traded the pick to the Washington Redskins for a second-round choice this year, two future first-round picks in 2013 and 2014 and swapped positions in this year’s draft moving down four spots to No. 6.

There is no doubt the Rams lack talent in many areas. Several former early-round draft choices haven’t worked out and it has cost the Rams. But, in this year’s draft the Rams have three selections in the first 39 picks. They can begin to replenish talent and keep in mind a new regime is in place picking the talent.

Bradford was outstanding as a rookie in 2009, but when his offensive coordinator, Pat Shurmur, left to become head coach of the Browns, it set Bradford back more than anyone would have imagined.

Josh McDaniels, the former Denver coach, came in with big plans for Bradford, but the two never seemed to mesh. A lack of talent at the skill positions and Bradford’s health did play a part in that, though.

The Rams have had perhaps the best offseason of any team thus far. In addition to the trade with the Redskins, the Rams made some good moves in free agency.

Defensive tackle and cornerback were two of the most glaring needs for the Rams. Signing Miami defensive end Kendall Langford, who is expected to play defensive tackle for the Rams, was a good move early in free agency. The team also recently signed Trevor Laws, who played in Philadelphia last season.

The biggest free-agent move the Rams made was bringing in Cortland Finnegan. Finnegan, one of the best CBs in he NFL, signed a 5-year deal for over $50 million to reunite with coach Jeff Fisher.

After free agency, here are the Rams’ three biggest needs heading into the draft:

Wide Receiver: Signing Steve Smith to a one-year deal will not prevent the Rams from going this position early in the draft.

Fisher has long been known as a coach who favors a strong running game. But, as everyone knows, the NFL is now a passing league. Sure, a good running game is still important, but so is the ability to move the ball down the field. The Rams think they have the right quarterback, but whom is he going to throw to?

Picking at No. 6 overall, the Rams are in prime position for Justin Blackmon. Opinions are mixed on Blackmon, but if you watch him in college he a man among boys. He doesn’t possess elite size or speed, but he gets separation and is phenomenal after the catch.

The Rams could decide to go with Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd. Floyd is bigger and faster than Blackmon, but there are some character concerns. And can Floyd get separation at the NFL-level?

This draft is deep at wide receiver. With two picks early in the second round, the Rams could look to address the position there. Stephen Hill of Georgia Tech, Mohamed Sanu of Rutgers and Rueben Randle of LSU could all be in play.

With Danny Amendola set to return, and Smith in place, the team is looking for outside receivers. Amendola and Smith both figure to spend more time in the slot. Blackmon, Floyd, Hill, Sanu and Randle all fit the bill and would be good choices for the Rams.

Offensive Tackle: The Rams drafted Jason Smith as No. 2 overall in 2009, yet Smith probably will not even be a Ram in 2012.

Smith, drafted to be the team’s left tackle, has struggled mightily at both left and right tackle. Smith has also fought injuries and concussion problems could prematurely end his once-promising career.

Rodger Saffold was drafted in the second round in 2010 and was tremendous as a rookie protecting Bradford’s blind side. However, Saffold struggled in 2011 before missing the second-half of the season due to injury.

Drafting an offensive lineman at No. 6 figures to be a stretch. Matt Kalil will be long gone and it seems a bit too early to select Iowa’s Riley Reiff. The Rams could trade down a few spots in order to get Reiff, but that strategy could be risky.

There are options in the second round. Bobby Massie of Mississippi seems an ideal fit for the right side if the Rams want to keep Saffold on the left side. Mitchell Schwartz of California is another option that should be on the board in the third round.

Cornerback: Yes they signed Finnegan, but perhaps no team suffered from injuries at the cornerback position in 2011 more than the Rams.

Finnegan stabilizes the position, but he needs help.

The Rams don’t figure to be in position to select Morris Claiborne of LSU with their first pick. They could trade back up, but that would cost them one of their second-round picks. They seem unlikely to do that.

There are options in the second and third round. Janoris Jenkins may be the best pure cover guy in this draft, but his off-field issues will scare teams away. Would the Rams overlook this and select Jenkins based on his immense talent? Keep in mind Fisher did draft Adam Jones while with the Tennessee Titans.

Dwight Bentley, Ryan Steed, Josh Norman and Josh Robinson could all be options in rounds two and three. Chase Minnifield and Jayron Hosley are possibilities as well.