5 NFL Draft Prospects Rams Fans Should Already Be Watching

NFL draft season is still a few months away for most teams, but the St. Louis Rams are one of a handful of teams that can probably start thinking about the offseason already. 

The following list highlights five prospects who could be first-round targets of the Rams depending on where they end up making their first selection on April 30.

While this list could probably be comprised of prospects from one or two positions, we'll pick out one player from five different positions to highlight a variety of areas the Rams could be looking at in the 2015 draft.

Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State

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The Rams' draft conversation has to start at quarterback, where Sam Bradford is unlikely to return for the 2015 season and Austin Davis isn't the long-term solution. 

Speaking strictly about on-field tools, Jameis Winston is a special prospect. No quarterback in this class possesses Winston's combination of arm strength, accuracy, mobility and confidence in NFL-level throws. 

What stands out most in Winston's game is his willingness to challenge defenses across the middle of the field. Few college quarterbacks are willing and capable of making strong deep and intermediate-level throws to the middle of the field at the rate Winston has this past season. 

Obviously the Rams front office will need to sort out his off-field issues, but if they're comfortable with Winston's character, he is an obvious target for them this offseason.

Landon Collins, S, Alabama

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T.J. McDonald has been a disappointment this season, especially in pass coverage. 

Perhaps the team will be hesitant to give up on him after just two years, but if Landon Collins appears to be an option for them in the first round, you can bet it's at least a conversation they'll have prior to the draft. 

Collins is a prototypical strong safety, with the physical tools to help out against the run but also the speed and agility to excel in coverage. 

He compares favorably to Chiefs strong safety Eric Berry, who has played at a consistent Pro Bowl level when healthy.

Cody Prewitt, FS, Ole Miss

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Collins would be an upgrade at strong safety for the Rams, while Cody Prewitt could step in at free safety. 

Pruitt is more of the center fielder type; he excels sitting deep in zone coverage and reading the quarterback. 

Current free safety Rodney McLeod has improved this season for the Rams, but Prewitt has the skills to turn this area of weakness into a relative strength for the defensive unit. 

Prewitt isn't quite on Collins' level as a prospect, but he would be a solid second-day selection for the Rams.

Marcus Peters, CB, Washington

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Marcus Peters is another prospect who comes with some baggage, as he was suspended earlier this season. However, he is one of the few defensive back prospects in this class with obvious first-round-caliber physical tools. 

Peters is a physical cover corner who has the skills necessary to hold his own when asked to survive on an island. 

Rookie E.J. Gaines has shown promise in the Rams' secondary, but Janoris Jenkins has struggled for the second straight season and has yet to live up to the potential he showed as a rookie in 2012.

Ty Montgomery, WR, Stanford

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The Tavon Austin experiment has been a disappointment, and it's entirely possible the Rams will look to bring in some competition for his role in 2015. 

Ty Montgomery brings a similar style of play, but he is a far more physical runner than Austin. 

The undersized Austin has struggled to make plays when he doesn't get the ball in space, but Montgomery is more similar to Vikings receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, who has similar speed to Austin but also the physical running style to challenge defensive backs and linebackers as they close in. 

It's unlikely the Rams would target a player like Montgomery in the first round, but he could be a viable second-day option.