Bud Sasser to St. Louis Rams: Full Draft-Pick Breakdown

The St. Louis Rams are not messing around when it comes to fixing the offense. The team has made six selections, and all six prospects play on offense. With the No. 201 pick in the sixth round, the Rams grabbed Missouri wide receiver Bud Sasser. 

Sasser player his collegiate career for the Missouri Tigers in Columbia, Missouri—just a two-hour drive west of St. Louis—so the local fans undoubtedly love this selection. 

Sasser did not stand out in his early college years. He had just 36 total catches over his first three seasons with Mizzou. That changed in a big way during the 2014 season. 

According to Edward Aschoff of ESPN.com, the Tigers dismissed Dorial Green-Beckham from their program prior to the 2014 season. The team needed a receiver to step up in a big way, and that guy was Sasser. 

Mizzou quarterback Maty Mauk hit Sasser 77 times for 1,003 yards and 10 scores (all career-high numbers). In the SEC Championship Game against Alabama, Sasser scored Missouri's only touchdown of the game.

The week before, during Mizzou's home finale against Arkansas with a trip to the championship game on the line, Sasser shredded the Razorbacks for nine catches and 127 yards. His big performance in that game helped Missouri clinch its second consecutive SEC East title. 

Without a doubt, the St. Louis fans will be rooting for him. 

How Bud Sasser Fits with the Rams

The Rams don't have an elite receiver at the top of the depth chart, and they certainly don't expect Sasser to be that guy. 

However, St. Louis has many solid role players at the receiver position—Brian Quick, Kenny Britt, Stedman Bailey, Tavon Austin, Chris Givens—and Sasser will have a tough time beating out one of those guys. 

Givens saw very limited action in 2014 (he had just 11 catches last season), so it appears that the Rams coaching staff has soured on him. If Sasser wants to make the final roster, Givens is the guys he'll have to beat out. 

Learning to contribute on special teams will help Sasser's cause also. Whether it's as a gunner, blocker or return man, he must figure out how to be more than a receiver. 

If Sasser works his way onto to the field, he'll be an excellent target for Nick Foles. He has decent size (6'2", 210 lbs) and causes mismatch problems. He has very reliable hands and is great at adjusting to the ball. 

And while he's not a burner, he has good enough speed for his size. According to NFL.com, he recorded a 4.53-second 40-yard dash at his Missouri pro day. If he improves his route running, that speed will help him be a difference-maker. 

He has the potential to be a reliable weapon. It's just a matter of how much he can improve. 

L.G. Patterson/Associated Press

Initial Reaction and Grade for Sasser Pick

The initial reaction to this pick was genuine shock followed by overwhelming approval. 

Surely many Rams fans felt the same way. It's a bit surprising a defensive team would select a sixth straight offensive player. Not to mention, Sasser plays a position where he'll have a hard time cracking the lineup and making an impact. He's not a special teams gem either. 

However, his status as a hometown playmaker will make it hard for St. Louis fans to root against him. And with any luck, he'll be able to beat out Givens for the final receiver spot. 

Sasser has plenty of likable qualities—hands, adjustments, size. If he develops his route running, he'll be a reliable No. 3 or No. 4 receiver in this league. 

Grade: A-