5 First Round Options For The St. Louis Rams

While most of the mock drafts and draft prognosticators have the Rams selecting Julio Jones with the 14th overall pick in 2011 draft.  Chances are he will not be there.

Personally, I won't be that upset if he is not available.  I was not overly impressed with Jones during his time at Alabama.  Don't get me wrong, he is a GOOD player, but I do not believe he is the difference maker that the Rams so desperately need.  Particularly with 14th overall pick.

The Rams were respectable last year at 7-9.  But they still have a need to replenish the roster with depth and talent.

My solution is that they trade down in the first round and try to accumulate some extra picks.

Here are 5 players that I believe the Rams should consider if they decide they want to trade down.

Mike Pouncey, OL, Florida

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MIAMI - JANUARY 08: Mike Pouncey #55 of the Florida Gators reacts after a play against the Oklahoma Sooners in the FedEx BCS National Championship Game at Dolphin Stadium on January 8, 2009 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)

The Rams interior line play last season was average. Florida OL Mike Pouncey would be a nice fit for the Rams.  Protecting Sam Bradford and opening up running lanes for Steven Jackson should be a top priority for the Rams.

Jacob Bell, Adam Goldberg, and Jason Brown were not getting it done last year.  Insert Pouncey in at OG, along with Tackles Rodger Saffold and Jason Smith and the Rams have the makings of a young dominant offensive line for years to come

Torrey Smith, WR, Maryland

Torrey Smith would be an exciting selection if the Rams decide to trade down into the bottom of Round 1.  Smith should be a nice option for Sam Bradford and potentially be an asset on kick returns.  He could become the player the Rams thought they were getting when they selected Mardy Gilyard last year in Round 4.

Add Smith, to a healthy Donnie Avery and Mark Clayton along Danny Amendola and Denario Alexander and the Rams have a good nucleus of receivers for Bradford to throw to.

Randall Cobb, ATH, Kentucky

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LEXINGTON, KY - NOVEMBER 13: Randall Cobb #18 of the Kentucky Wildcats runs with the ball during the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Commonwealth Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky won 38-20. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Get

Randall Cobb would be another viable option toward the end of Round 1.  Cobb could line up at receiver, or potentially become the Rams third down back like Kevin Faulk was for the Patriots.  

He can return punts, be effective on kick-offs and run the wildcat offense if Josh McDaniels decides to implement that into the Rams repertoire.

I find Cobb intriguing and would be delighted if the Rams were able to pick him up at the end of Round 1.

Phil Taylor, DT, Baylor

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COLUMBIA, MO - NOVEMBER 7: Phil Taylor #11 of the Baylor Bears moves on the field during the game against the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium on November 7, 2009 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Phil Taylor is a beast.  If he is available later on in Round 1, the Rams should seriously consider taking him.

Add Taylor to Fred Robbins along with Ends Chris Long and James Hall and the Rams have a formidable front four.

In year three of Steve Spagnuolo's defense, I expect vast improvement in play from the defensive line.

But before I would seriously consider pulling the trigger on Taylor in the first round, Marvin Austin will probably be sitting there at pick #47 in the second round.  Going into the 2010 college football season Austin was considered a top 15 pick.

Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Pitt

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PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 05: Jonathan Baldwin #82 of the University of Pittsburgh Panthers catches a pass against the Cincinnati Bearcats on December 5, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.(Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

OK it has been said that Baldwin takes plays off, at least that's the rap on him going into the draft. Rams GM Billy Devaney rarely like to take chances on players with questionable character, but he is going to have to take a gamble sometime.

Baldwin would give the Rams what they are desperately seeking, a big, fast number 1 receiver.

What an option he would be for Sam Bradford in the red zone. 

Baldwin could climb draft boards with a solid performance at the Combine or at his Pro Day, both on and off the field.  If he runs a 4.4 40, he might be an option for the Rams at pick 14.

From what I have observed watching games the past few seasons, I believe Baldwin to be better than Julio Jones right now.