St. Louis Rams NFL Draft Big Board: Position-by-Position Rankings
The St. Louis Rams are just a day away from being on the clock. By now, the team has assembled its big board and is prepared for all possible scenarios with the No. 10 overall pick.
Fans and media alike have failed to agree on which position the Rams will target with that top pick. With that in mind, we could be in for a wild ride Thursday night. Literally every position is fair game, and only the front office has a clue as to what will happen.
Since every position is a possibility, it might be beneficial to create a big board featuring the top three players for each spot.
This article will cover every position and outline the top three candidates. The candidates are not determined by how high they rank overall, but rather how well they fit with the Rams.
Quarterback
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1. Jameis Winston, Florida State
While the debate rages on, many feel comfortable stating that Jameis Winston is the best quarterback of this class.
He has great size (6'4", 231 pounds), a strong arm and a knack for making big plays. He's great at sensing pressure, escaping the threat and delivering the big throw. He's not a scrambler but has the athleticism to make plays with his feet.
His off-the-field concerns are well documented. He sometimes makes questionable throws, and his decision-making will have to improve before he can reach the next level.
If not for the numerous incidents, no one would be debating who the No. 1 overall pick is.
2. Marcus Mariota, Oregon
Marcus Mariota is less refined than Winston as a pocket passer, but he doesn't have the character concerns and is a far better dual-threat quarterback.
Mariota is apparently the better decision-maker as well. He coughed up just 14 interceptions in three years as Oregon's starter, including just four picks in 2014. The complex NFL defenses will test his decision-making, but he seems to thrive at making the right throws.
His breakaway speed and scrambling abilities will keep defenses honest and force teams to play him with caution. Mariota's ability to escape with his legs would be an ideal asset for St. Louis, since the sorry offensive line will allow much pressure in 2015.
Mariota does not have Winston's raw talent, but he has a lot to offer regardless.
3. Brett Hundley, UCLA
If the Rams shock the NFL by drafting a passer in Round 1, one thing to keep in mind is that they have the luxury of benching the rookie for a year or two. Nick Foles will get his fair shake, giving any potential rookie the benefit of sitting and learning for at least a season.
That's an ideal situation for Brett Hundley.
Hundley has decent size (6'3", 226 pounds), a strong arm and incredible athletic skills, but he needs time to develop and adapt to the NFL. If a team is willing to have patience, he could be a total steal.
It's highly unlikely Hundley will have his name called at the No. 10 overall slot. However, he could be on St. Louis' radar in the second round or in a trade-down scenario.
Running Back
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1. Todd Gurley, Georgia
Todd Gurley is coming off of a well-documented ACL injury, but there's no doubt he's the premier running back of the 2015 class.
Gurley has the power to bounce off tacklers and move the chains, yet he has the speed to break free for the end zone if given the opportunity. His skill set is similar to Tre Mason's, only Gurley is a more advanced prospect and about 20 pounds heavier.
Talent is not the question. The question is whether or not he'll stay healthy at the next level. He missed time in both 2013 and 2014, so there has to be some doubt regarding his durability.
If Gurley can have a healthy career, he'll be a major asset for some team.
2. Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
It's not hard to argue that Melvin Gordon was the best back in the country in 2014. He shredded defenses for a remarkable 2,587 yards and 32 total touchdowns. Those single-season numbers would make nice two- or three-year career totals for most backs at the NCAA level.
Gordon lacks bulk at only 215 pounds and needs more development as an inside runner. If he can add a few pounds and perfect running between tackles, he'll make some Pro Bowls at the NFL level.
3. T.J. Yeldon, Alabama
The Rams will likely hold off on running backs in Round 1, but there's a good chance Jeff Fisher will grab one at some point in the draft. He always does.
If the Rams decide to pursue a back in Round 2, T.J. Yeldon would be an ideal target.
Yeldon has more bulk than Rams running backs Mason and Benny Cunningham. He also has better height than Zac Stacy, which allows him to get great leverage.
Yeldon had a productive career at Alabama, including back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2012 and 2013. He has starter potential at the NFL level.
Receiver
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1. Amari Cooper, Alabama
It's no secret the St. Louis Rams need playmakers on offense, it's just a matter whether or not they're willing to go get their guy.
There's little chance Cooper will fall to the Rams at No. 10 overall, but there's a chance they'll be able to trade up and grab him. If Cooper falls out of the top five, St. Louis needs to start making phone calls.
Cooper was unstoppable in the NCAA last season. He finished the year with 124 catches, 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns. His route running and breakaway speed allowed him to torch secondaries all year long, and he's tough going across the middle.
Cooper is a game-changer and has the talent to take St. Louis' offense to the next level.
2. Kevin White, West Virginia
If Cooper is off the board, there's still a chance the Rams can make a move for Kevin White.
White had an excellent 2014 campaign with 109 catches, 1,447 yards and 10 scores. At 6'3" and 215 pounds, he has the ideal size for a No. 1 receiver, and his ability to fight for the ball is an asset.
White only played one full season as a starter for West Virginia, so the lack of tape is a disadvantage. He's a bit of a gamble, but his upside is extraordinary.
3. DeVante Parker, Louisville
Trading up for a big-time receiver is one way to go, but there are some options at No. 10 overall. DeVante Parker is likely the most appealing of those options.
Parker has good size for a receiver (6'3", 209 pounds) even if he's a tad underweight. He has elite focus and acrobatic skills. If a quarterback throws a pass to his area, he'll twist and shift until he comes up with the ball. He also has great hands.
White and Cooper attract most of the headlines, but Parker is an excellent candidate at No. 10 overall.
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Offensive Line
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1. Brandon Scherff, Iowa
Brandon Scherff is a mean, versatile player, and the Rams will be lucky if he somehow falls to No. 10.
Scherff is a capable pass-blocker, but his real skill is opening up run lanes. He's a nasty player capable of pushing around defenders. For a coach like Jeff Fisher who loves to run the ball, Scherff is certainly high on his list.
He can play right tackle or either guard position. That's ideal for the Rams, as they need help at all three spots.
2. Andrus Peat, Stanford
Peat is a monster at 6'7" and 313 pounds. He's a likely Day 1 starter at right tackle and has the potential to eventually bump over to the blind side.
Peat's potential as a left tackle is good for St. Louis. If Greg Robinson struggles in Year 2 and St. Louis decides he's a better fit as a guard, the Rams will need a backup plan. Peat can be that guy.
Peat doesn't have Scherff's ability to play either guard position, but he's a solid option at No. 10 overall.
3. La'el Collins, LSU
La'el Collins is a nasty player on the field and excels as a run-blocker. He bullies defenders and manages to open gaping run lanes.
Like Scherff, Collins is also a three-position player. He can man either guard spot or step in at right tackle.
Collins is not as refined as Scherff in pass protection. He'll need development in that area. But he should be a decent option in a trade-down scenario and is likely a Day 1 starter.
Defensive Line
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1. Dante Fowler, Florida
The Rams love versatile defensive linemen, and that's exactly what Dante Fowler is. He can move all over the line, drop back as a linebacker and do whatever the coaching staff asks of him.
Fowler is practically a lock for the top five, and there's no logical reason for St. Louis to trade up for him. Still, he is likely the top defensive lineman on the Rams' draft board.
At 6'3" and 261 pounds, Fowler would play defensive end in St. Louis opposite Robert Quinn.
2. Alvin "Bud" Dupree, Kentucky
Bud Dupree was a major force for the Kentucky defense. He finished with 23.5 sacks in four years, including a 2014 campaign with 7.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss.
The Rams need an eventual replacement for Chris Long. Since the team has put such on emphasis on drafting defensive linemen early in recent years, it wouldn't be surprising if the Rams targeted a defensive end.
There's a slim chance Dupree will fall, but the Rams will keep an eye on him.
3. Leonard Williams, USC
Leonard Williams should be St. Louis' third-best defensive lineman on the big board, and rightfully so. With 26.5 sacks in three years, he's been the most unstoppable defender in the Pac-12 over the past three years.
At 6'5" and 305 pounds, he's a better fit as a 3-4 defensive end. He's a bit of an outcast in St. Louis' 4-3 system, but Fisher loves talented linemen, so he'll make it work.
Linebacker
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1. Randy Gregory, Nebraska
Randy Gregory is a quarterback hunter and an exciting weapon for any defense. The Rams can play him at end as a pass-rusher or line him up as a pass-rushing linebacker.
Gregory, once a top-10 candidate, should easily be available at No. 10 overall. According to Kimberly Jones of NFL.com, Gregory failed the NFL combine drug test for marijuana, and his stock has suffered ever since.
The Rams have been known to gamble on players with checkered pasts, such as Janoris Jenkins, Kenny Britt and Alec Ogletree. It has yet to weigh them down, so don't be surprised if they gamble yet again.
2. Eric Kendricks, UCLA
Eric Kendricks—brother of Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Mychal Kendricks—is a tackling machine and a great scheme fit as an outside linebacker for St. Louis.
Kendricks is coming off of a 149-tackle season in 2014 and has broken 100 tackles for three consecutive seasons. He also has some competence with rushing the passer; he recorded 10 sacks in four seasons at UCLA.
Kendricks is a total reach at No. 10, but he's an ideal target in a trade-down scenario. It's possible he'll even slip to Round 2, but unlikely.
3. Shaq Thompson, Washington
If the Rams are hoping for a starting linebacker in Round 2, Shaq Thompson is the top choice. There's no guarantee he'll last that long, as he's been mocked as high as Round 1, but he'll be on St. Louis' radar.
Not only can Thompson be a Day 1 starter on the outside, but he has experience in the middle as well. He can back up James Laurinaitis and possibly even replace him at some point down the road.
Thompson doesn't match Kendricks' tackling totals (Thompson never hit 100 tackles in his career), but he has a great nose for the ball and is better in coverage.
Defensive Back
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1. Trae Waynes, Michigan State
Trae Waynes has established himself as the top defensive back of this class, and he has to be one of the three or four most likely candidates for the No. 10 pick.
Waynes has blazing speed. He finished first among defensive backs at the combine after running the 40-yard dash in 4.31 seconds. He's not a guy who gets burned, and he has potential as a shutdown corner in the NFL.
He's not much of a big-play guy. He recorded three picks in each of his last two seasons, but he didn't score any defensive touchdowns in his NCAA career.
Still, that makes little difference if he can completely shut down opposing receivers.
2. Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest
Kevin Johnson would be a reach at No. 10, so he's yet another guy the Rams would have to acquire in a trade-down situation.
Johnson is a fluid player and excellent in coverage. He doesn't have Waynes' elite speed, but he makes up for it with technique and quick hips.
Johnson needs to improve as a tackler. Fisher usually prefers hard-hitting defenders and capable tacklers, so he's not a great fit. However, he's still the second-best corner from this class.
3. Marcus Peters, Washington
At 6'0" and nearly 200 pounds, Marcus Peters has more bulk than Johnson and Waynes. He plays with more ferocity and has better size, but he still has fast hips and great coverage skills.
According to Mike Florio of NBC Sports, Peters was dismissed from Washington late last season due to arguments with the coaching staff. That's a major red flag for NFL teams, and it could cost Peters first-round status.
If Peters falls to Round 2, St. Louis has a history of drafting red-flag characters, so he could be an option.
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