Brandon McGee to Rams: How Does Cornerback Fit with St. Louis?

Miami cornerback Brandon McGee became the St. Louis Rams’ sixth selection in the 2013 NFL draft.

The 5’11”, 193-pound defensive back isn’t expected to be a starter with the presence of Cortland Finnegan (and his big free-agent contract), Janoris Jenkins (second-round pick in 2012) and Trumaine Johnson (third-rounder).

Considering that those three and Quinton Pointer are the only corners on the roster, McGee is a pretty good bet to make the 53-man at this point.

Being lower in the pecking order doesn’t mean that he can’t contribute as a depth guy in this passing league, especially under the tutelage of Jeff Fisher, a former defensive back himself.

McGee ran a 4.40 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine and impressed with a 6.71-second three-cone drill.

Like T.J. McDonald two rounds prior, McGee’s selection was a bit of a surprise with so many other defensive backs on the board. The Rams need safety help.

McGee will be afforded the guidance of a number of accomplished defensive-back coaches, including Fisher, defensive coordinator Tim Walton and secondary coach Chuck Cecil.

That’s why the McGee and McDonald picks aren’t much of a shock: These guys are picking players who they feel can be teachable contributors on the back end.

Both picks were the result of a trade up.

McGee is a tough corner who isn’t afraid to stand a receiver up and relieve him of his carrier duties, as he did against NC State as a senior. Toughness is a quality that fits in with the defense that St. Louis is building. It fits in with the NFC West as a whole.

Brandon was projected by NFL.com’s Josh Norris to come off the board in the early fifth round, eight picks before the Rams were on the clock. Bleacher Report writer and eDraft.com’s Vincent Frank lamented McGee’s collegiate inconsistency, but expects immediate return when he sees the field.

By all accounts, McGee also has a clean character—a trait which certainly doesn’t hurt his ability to be a professional NFL player.

Jamal Collier is the St. Louis Rams draft correspondent for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @StatManJ.