5 Prospects St. Louis Rams Should Target in 2015 NFL Draft
Like every NFL team, the St. Louis Rams are beginning the grueling process of stacking the draft board and preparing for the 2015 NFL draft.
Over the next several months, numerous players will see their stocks rise and fall, and it's a guarantee that the mock drafts we see today will only vaguely resemble the final mocks released just days before the draft.
The Rams will use the process to uncover a few hidden gems at positions of need. If their draft is successful, it could be enough to get St. Louis out of the sub-.500 purgatory that it's been living in for a decade. The Rams have an immensely talented roster; they just need that jump start to get over edge.
The quarterback position is the spot most St. Louis fans are eyeing this offseason. It's a major need and a topic of heated discussion among fans. However, there's plenty of time to debate the positives and negatives of various quarterback prospects from this class. For now, we'll put that on hold and look at some of the positions that are getting less attention.
This article will outline five key players that could be on the Rams' radar with that No. 10 overall pick. Any one of these guys could arguably be the best overall prospect when the Rams are on the clock.
To make it fun and diverse, I'll avoid listing two players at the same position. We'll look at five players at five different positions, other than quarterback.
Danny Shelton, Washington
1 of 5
Position: Defensive Tackle/Nose Tackle
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 339
It's inconceivable that drafting another defensive lineman in the first round is even a possibility, especially since the offense desperately needs help, but with Jeff Fisher and Gregg Williams, there's always a chance of it happening.
Actually, it's not that absurd. Michael Brockers—the team's 2012 first-round pick—will become a free agent after the 2015 season if the team fails to exercise his fifth-year option. The Rams cannot afford to lose the anchor of the defense without a viable backup in place.
Brockers does not pile up eye-popping numbers, but he occupies blockers very well, which allows the other defensive linemen to make big plays. He's a big reason why rookie Aaron Donald was so ferocious in Year 1.
With Danny Shelton, the Rams will not be pressured into extending Brockers with a sizable contract. It will allow St. Louis some wiggle room.
Even if Brockers is extended, Shelton's presence would still be valuable. It would give the Rams two 1-technique tackles, allowing them to constantly rotate and stay fresh. The Rams can also create a stout package for goal-line and obvious run situations—Robert Quinn and Donald on the edges, with Shelton and Brockers in the middle.
Tell me that lineup wouldn't strike fear in running backs trying to punch one in.
Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
2 of 5
Position: Running Back
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 207
Tre Mason had a successful rookie year as St. Louis' primary back, but backups Zac Stacy and Benny Cunningham, while solid, lack big-play potential. Fisher builds his teams around the run, so it's unacceptable that only one of his backs is a threat to take it the end zone at any given time.
Todd Gurley was expected to lead this class as the top running back and possibly the top overall prospect, but an ACL injury toward the end of the 2014 season will knock him out of the top 10 and put his status in question.
However, Gurley isn't the only stunning prospect in the backfield. Melvin Gordon of Wisconsin put up numbers in 2014 that put Gurley's best years to shame.
Gordon rushed for 2,587 yards in 2014 with 32 total touchdowns this past season. And it wasn't just help from the weak Big Ten either—he put up 251 rushing yards and three scores during Wisconsin's win over Auburn in the Outback Bowl.
It would have been nice to see him more involved in the passing game, but he still has the skills to be an all-purpose threat at the NFL level.
Draft focus on running backs has faded in recent years, and few teams spend first-round selections on them. But it's about time for a comeback, don't you think?
P.J. Williams, Florida State
3 of 5
Position: Cornerback
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 196
Based on Fisher's first three years in St. Louis, we can confidently say that he's more than willing to invest in cornerbacks.
He has drafted corners every year with the Rams, including two second-rounders (Lamarcus Joyner, Janoris Jenkins) and a third (Trumaine Johnson), and he also signed free agent Cortland Finnegan in 2012—one of his first moves as head coach.
Since Jenkins was not a first-round selection in 2012, the fifth-year option will unavailable for him. He'll be a free agent after the 2015 season, and the Rams need to look for another starter if they're unwilling to re-sign him.
It's easy to claim that St. Louis has other starting-caliber cornerbacks behind Jenkins—Johnson, Joyner, E.J. Gaines—but given that Rams allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 68.1 percent of their passes this past season (second-highest mark in the NFL), perhaps the team isn't as set at the position as some think.
P.J. Williams is battling with Oregon's Ifo Ekpre-Olomu and Michigan State's Trae Waynes for the honor of being the top corner selected in the draft.
Williams was part of a championship defense at Florida State. Joyner, Williams' former teammate from that 2013 team, is already on St. Louis' roster, so the two should have solid chemistry on the field together.
Cornerback doesn't appear to be St. Louis' most urgent need, but given that the team values the position, anything is possible.
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Brandon Scherff, Iowa
4 of 5
Position: Tackle/Guard
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 320
The 2014 season was the first time in three years that the St. Louis offensive line didn't feature Harvey Dahl at guard leading the way. Needless to say, the absence of Dahl's tenacity and attitude turned the unit into a soft, timid mess.
The Rams need more grit on the offensive line. The team drafted Greg Robinson with the No. 2 overall pick last year. He's a rugged run-blocker and top-notch athlete, but he doesn't have Dahl's mean streak.
For the sake of the offense, the Rams need to secure a blue-collar player who's willing to punch an opponent in the mouth. It's unclear if Iowa's Brandon Scherff is willing to go that far, but he's certainly capable of improving the line's nastiness.
The Rams also look for versatility in their offensive linemen, and that's what they'll get with Scherff. He's capable of immediately replacing Davin Joseph at right guard. Or, if necessary, St. Louis can move Joe Barksdale to guard and put Scherff on the edge at right tackle.
The 2014 Outland Trophy winner could have entered the NFL a year ago and cashed in, but Scherff elected to remain with Iowa as a senior and help his team out. It's easy to admire that kind of dedication.
Dorial Green-Beckham, Oklahoma/Missouri
5 of 5
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 225
According to Bryan Fischer of NFL.com, former Missouri Tigers wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham will declare for the 2015 NFL draft.
Green-Beckham is an elite talent at his position and a world-class athlete. No one denies that. But he carries a considerable amount of baggage.
The NFL hopeful was arrested on two different occasions for marijuana charges while with Mizzou, and he was finally released by the team after a 2014 burglary incident involving a dispute with his girlfriend.
Green-Beckham transferred to Oklahoma for the 2014 season, but he was not eligible to play due to NCAA rules. He could have suited up for the Sooners in 2015, but he opted for the draft instead.
Obviously, the off-the-field concerns are quite troubling. The No. 10 pick is a considerable investment, and it's always nerve-wracking to invest that kind of money into a guy who's been incapable of showing any common sense in everyday life.
However, his talent and potential cannot be overlooked.
When Green-Beckham joined Mizzou, he was the top high school recruit in the country—not just at his position, but overall. He's a Randy Moss clone and possesses every physical trait scouts look for in a game-changing receiver.
The Rams have been looking for a receiver of his caliber for quite some time.
Brian Quick—the No. 33 overall pick from 2012—was on his way to a breakout year in 2014, but a terrible shoulder injury ended his season, and there's no guarantee he'll be himself after his return.
Kenny Britt had a nice comeback year for Rams, totaling 48 catches for 748 yards, but he's hardly an elite receiver. He'd be better as the No. 2 behind a truly dominant receiver.
Green-Beckham can be that guy for the Rams. If Sam Bradford somehow manages to stay healthy next year, it's frightening to think what he'll be able to do with Green-Beckham and Britt on the perimeters, not to mention Tavon Austin in the slot and Jared Cook at tight end.
We've all witnessed what Larry Fitzgerald has done for the Cardinals, what Calvin Johnson has done for the Lions and what A.J. Green has done for the Bengals. The Rams could have a chance to get their very own receiver of that caliber.
The character concerns are legitimate, but if anyone can handle Green-Beckham, it's Fisher.
Janoris Jenkins was also widely viewed as a headcase when he entered the draft in 2012, but no one has heard a peep from him since. His off-the-field record has been nearly spotless at the NFL level.
Britt is another example. Few teams were willing to gamble on his character in free agency, but Fisher brought him in and took a chance. Not only has Britt stayed out of trouble, but he's actually evolved into a team leader and a positive locker room presence.
When the Rams interview Green-Beckham during the pre-draft process, they'll have to make the call. If they feel he can be controlled, then they should pull the trigger. He's too talented to pass up.
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