St. Louis Rams Day 3 2014 NFL Draft Primer
The first three rounds of the NFL draft are complete, but there are still four more rounds to go before the event is finally over.
The St. Louis Rams added a number of intriguing prospects in the first three rounds, and the team will look to further solidify the roster in the final three rounds.
Day 3 of the draft will begin at 12 p.m. ET, and the event will air on both ESPN and NFL Network.
This article is your guide to St. Louis' final day of the draft. Read on for a recap of the first two days as well as predictions, analysis on the top remaining targets, insight into St. Louis' remaining needs and an up-to-date mock draft.
Day 2 Recap and Analysis
1 of 6The Rams opened the draft with two first-round picks and went on to select monster offensive lineman Greg Robinson (No. 2 overall) as well as pass-rushing defensive tackle Aaron Donald (No. 13 overall).
The Rams used those two first-round selections to secure two big, ugly, mauling linemen, so the team opted for a bit more finesse on Day 2.
St. Louis entered the second round with the No. 44 overall pick, but general manager Les Snead traded off the fifth-round pick (No. 153 overall) to jump up to No. 41 overall. The pick was used on Florida State defensive back Lamarcus Joyner.
The Rams entered the draft needing both a cornerback and a safety, so Joyner was an extremely ideal pick, as he plays both positions.
In the third round, the Rams stayed put at No. 75 overall and selected Auburn running back Tre Mason.
Mason was the star of Auburn's infamous rushing attack last year. He finished the 2013 season with 1,816 yards and 23 rushing touchdowns, including 5.7 yards per carry.
Both of St. Louis' Day 2 picks—Joyner and Mason—will be instant contributors in Week 1 of 2014.
So far, one can argue that the Rams have pieced together perhaps the most impressive draft among all NFL teams. The amount of talent added has been eye-popping, to say the least.
Updated Need for the Rams
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Linebacker
The late rounds are all about solidifying special teams play, and linebackers are typically valuable contributors for coverage teams.
The Rams have two promising youngsters competing for third linebacker spot in Ray-Ray Armstrong and Daren Bates, so there’s not an immediate need for a linebacker, but depth is still needed.
If Armstrong wins the starting outside linebacker job opposite Alec Ogletree, he’ll see a reduced role on special teams, so the Rams will need someone to step in for him.
Also, like the running back position, linebackers have been undervalued in recent drafts. As a result, it’s not uncommon to find high-end talent at the position later in the draft.
Quarterback
Shaun Hill was signed to replace Kellen Clemens as the team’s backup passer, but the seasoned veteran only has another year or two left in the tank at best.
That's not a good situation considering how important backup quarterbacks are in this league. And Sam Bradford has struggled through multiple injuries in his short career, which adds to the pressure.
The Rams have third-year pro Austin Davis on the roster, but he has shown little to nothing in his career, so the Rams need a replacement. This draft is loaded with alluring mid-round quarterbacks, so this would be an ideal time to grab one.
Aaron Murray, AJ McCarron, Tajh Boyd, Connor Shaw, Tom Savage and Zach Mettenberger are all players to keep an eye on.
Defensive Back
The Rams grabbed Joyner in the second round, which was a much-needed addition to the secondary, but it’s simply not enough.
Joyner can fill in at either cornerback or safety—whichever position needs the most help—but the Rams need another capable defensive back before the roster is complete.
If the Rams can locate a solid Day 3 option, such Missouri cornerback E.J. Gaines or USC safety Dion Bailey, it will give the team some much-needed breathing room in the secondary.
Top Day 3 Targets
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CB E.J. Gaines, Missouri
Gaines is a local favorite and was one of the more dependable cornerbacks in the SEC last season.
Gaines sits at 5’10” and 190 pounds, which is a perfect size for an NFL corner. He is strong and athletic, and he loves to make thunderous hits and open-field tackles—making him ideal for a Jeff Fisher defense.
Gaines does not have a single dominate trait when it comes to his game, which is why he slipped to Day 3, but he does a little bit of everything. His versatility makes him an ideal backup at cornerback, and it’s even possible he's even capable of playing safety in small doses.
CB Terrance Mitchell, Oregon
Like Gaines, Oregon’s Terrance Mitchell is the ideal size for an NFL cornerback (5’11”, 192 lbs).
Mitchell is quick and athletic. He has the potential to be a dangerous cover corner, but he lacks the physicality the Rams typically look for in a cornerback.
Between Joyner, Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson, the Rams are set when it comes to starting cornerback, but depth is still thin. Selecting Mitchell immediately fixes that issue.
S Dion Bailey, USC
The need for a safety is not as pressing thanks to the addition of Joyner in Round 2, as he's capable of playing either cornerback or safety.
However, it'd be more ideal to have Joyner at cornerback, as that's the spot that allows him to display his natural playmaking skills. As a result, the Rams should still be in the market for a safety.
USC's Bailey was frequently mocked as a second-round selection this offseason and may very well be the top available player when St. Louis comes on the clock in the fourth round.
Bailey is a physical, hard-hitting safety. The Rams need a coverage safety more than a thumper, but it's slim pickings at this point in the draft, so Bailey is a nice compromise.
QB Zach Mettenberger, LSU
The Rams signed veteran backup Hill to be the new No. 2 quarterback, but the 34-year-old is a temporary band-aid rather than a permanent fix.
As a result, don’t be surprised if the Rams bring in a youngster to groom as the long-term backup.
Zach Mettenberger is still recovering from an ACL tear, according to Sports Illustrated, so he’s not an immediate solution, but he’s worth the investment.
Mettenberger is a towering physical specimen at 6’5” and 224 pounds. He has elite arm strength and exceptional accuracy. He can make all the NFL throws.
Mettenberger would have been drafted higher had it not been for the knee injury, so he’s worth a look on Day 3. Grabbing a passer of Mettenberger's caliber this late in the draft is phenomenal value.
RB Henry Josey, Missouri
The Rams have two backs capable of carrying the load in Zac Stacy and Mason, but the team still needs a reliable change-of-pace back. Daryl Richardson and Isaiah Pead have been underwhelming in that role.
The Rams need to give Richardson and Pead another shot in training camp, but it would not hurt to bring in another speedy back, such as Henry Josey, to push them for a roster spot.
Josey is a local favorite and was the soul of the Missouri offense last season. He’ll be a welcomed addition if selected.
LB Jordan Tripp, Montana
According to Jim Thomas of STLtoday.com, the Rams were not only interested in trading back into Round 1 for Notre Dame's Zack Martin, but the team also considered trading back into the top round for linebacker C.J. Mosley of Alabama as well.
Clearly, the Rams are in the market for another linebacker, so Jordan Tripp makes sense as a Day 3 pick.
Tripp is stiff in coverage and is not a natural playmaker like Alec Ogletree, but he’s a powerful run-stopper, which is exactly what the Rams need.
ILB Max Bullough, Michigan State
James Laurinaitis is the quarterback of the defense, and the Rams cannot afford to lose him. The team needs to find a viable backup, and Max Bullough can be that guy.
Like Laurinaitis, Bullough is an extremely intelligent player and is capable of leading the defense if necessary.
Bullough is not an overly athletic linebacker. He’s slow and unreliable in coverage. However, he’s a physical player and can stuff the run.
If drafted, Bullough will be a special teams contributor. If he excels in that role, he’ll eventually develop into a starter.
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What Are the Experts Saying?
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Joyner Not the Answer at Safety?
Joyner—St. Louis' second-round pick—is capable of playing either cornerback or safety. The team certainly needs help at both spots, but there's some debate as to how Joyner will be utilized.
According to ESPN's Nick Wagoner, Fisher indicated that Joyner will primarily play slot cornerback rather than safety.
It could be a smokescreen to convince teams that the Rams are set at cornerback (yes, smokescreens exist beyond Round 1), but most likely, this is an indication that St. Louis still needs a safety.
Rodney McLeod was the weak spot of St. Louis' defense, so expect the Rams to target multiple safeties on Day 3. USC's Bailey is a fine option in the fourth round, so keep him on your list.
Auburn Prospects Are Still in Play
According to Jim Thomas of STLtoday.com, Fisher's familiarity with the Auburn program played, at the very least, a minor role in St. Louis' decision to draft Mason in the third round.
This should come as no surprise, as Fisher's son played for Auburn last season. As a result, Fisher likely watched Auburn more than any other college team, and he surely has special access to the coaches and players from the school.
Obviously, the top Auburn players are already off the board, but the lesser-known Auburn players are still in play.
Linebacker Jake Holland is a late-round prospect, and the Rams can certainly use another linebacker. Cornerback Chris Davis is rated as a mid-round prospect and is another player to watch.
The Rams have selected two Auburn players so far (Robinson, Mason), so it wouldn't be a major surprise if they grab one more.
Predictions for Day 3
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Wide Receiver Will Be Ignored
Prior to the draft, many felt the Rams were a possible landing spot for Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins or possibly even Mike Evans at Texas A&M at No. 13 overall, but it was not meant to be.
Not only did the Rams pass on the topnotch receivers of this class, but the team also passed on the Day 2 receivers. And frankly, this is not a shocking development.
The Rams have a need for a dominate No. 1 receiver to be Bradford's top target, but the roster is loaded with No. 2 and No. 3-type receivers.
Tavon Austin is an emerging star as a slot receiver, Chris Givens is a productive flanker and dependable deep-ball threat, Jared Cook is a monstrous pass-catching tight end, and Stedman Bailey is a wild card who can fill in all over the field.
The only thing missing is the No. 1 guy, and that's not something the Rams can find on Day 3. Adding another receiver who does not fit the mold of a No. 1 guy is a useless exercise that does little to improve the team.
The Rams will take a gamble and bank on either Brian Quick or veteran newcomer Kenny Britt to fill that No. 1 role. If it doesn't work out, the Rams will use the 2015 draft to fill this need.
For now, the Rams will pass on adding additional receivers.
Defensive Line Will Get Additional Help
The Rams used the No. 13 overall pick on Donald, adding a great talent to an already dominate defensive line, but St. Louis is not done.
When it comes to a Fisher football team, there's no such thing as too many pass-rushers.
Since the Rams are so stacked up front, it'd be surprising to see the team go with a defensive lineman in the fourth round. That's a bit too high for a player who will undoubtedly struggle to make a team. However, the Rams may look at linemen in the later rounds.
The Rams have four selections in the seventh round, so that's an ideal place to grab another defensive lineman.
A Quarterback Will Be Added
As mentioned, the Rams are in need of a long-term backup behind Bradford. It's just a matter of which round.
The Rams can get a bargain on Mettenberger in the fourth round, but it's possible the team is unwilling to spend a mid-round pick on a guaranteed backup player.
The more likely scenario is that the Rams will grab a sixth- or seventh-round passer. South Carolina's Connor Shaw is a name that comes to mind as well as Clemson's Tajh Boyd.
This draft is stacked with mid-round quarterbacks, so the Rams can get a bargain by simply waiting until the sixth round to see who falls.
Updated St. Louis Rams Mock Draft
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Round 1 (No. 2): T Greg Robinson, Auburn
Round 1 (No. 13): DT Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh
Round 2 (No. 41 via Buffalo): DB Lamarcus Joyner, Florida State
Round 2 (No. 44): Traded to Buffalo
Round 3 (No. 75): RB Tre Mason, Auburn
Round 4 (No. 110): S Dion Bailey, USC
Round 5 (No. 153): Traded to Buffalo
Round 6 (No. 188): LB Max Bullough, Michigan State
Round 6 (No. 214): OL Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, Canada
Round 7 (No. 226): QB Connor Shaw, South Carolina
Round 7 (No. 241): RB Henry Josey, Missouri
Round 7 (No. 249): TE A.C. Leonard, Tennessee State
Round 7 (No. 250): LB Devon Kennard, USC
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