2011 NFL Draft: What the St. Louis Rams Need To Do To Rate an "A"

There are several schools of thought on the Rams' needs with the 14th selection in the 2011 NFL Draft.  I don't see WR as being one of them, though.  If the Rams do look at the position, it could be done in Round 2 (Torrey Smith or Jonathan Baldwin) or Round 3 (Greg Little, Austin Pettis).

I would argue that TE is a bigger need, as is their defense.  Their first-round grade will vary based on staying put, trading up or moving down.  Here is a look at a few scenarios.

St. Louis Rams Draft Grade: What Move Will Result in a Failing Grade

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NEW YORK - APRIL 29: The stage is shown at the 2006 NFL Draft on April 29, 2006 at Radio City Music Hall in New York, New York. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

This slide shouldn't exist, but someone would have asked.  In short, I have too much faith in the Rams' staff knowing what the team needs, to do anything that will fall into this category.  They could pull a Minnesota Vikings and not get their pick turned in, dropping down a spot or two, and they still wouldn't get a "D/F."

As for a move that would drive me to drop a "D" on them...giving up too much to draft Julio Jones.  He could be available with the eighth pick, and the Titans may be looking to move down before drafting their QB.  This could leave the Rams in a position to send their first two picks to Tennessee to get Jones.

While many fans would love this idea, it would be a big mistake.  The Rams can get a great DE in Round 1 and add Rahim Moore, Torrey Smith or Jonathan Baldwin in Round 2.  This would do much more for the growth of the team than drafting a speedster with issues holding onto the ball.

St. Louis Rams Draft Grade: What Move Will Result in a "C"

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PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Safety Rahim Moore #3 of the UCLA Bruins in the game with the Houston Cougars at the Rose Bowl on September 18, 2010 in Pasadena, California. UCLA won 31-13. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Reaching for a player is what could kill the Rams here.  Their biggest area of need could very well be a FS, with OLB and TE close behind.  They also need to start grooming a DE that can establish a pass rush.

Reaching for need here would be a bad decision.  A few examples would be Notre Dame TE Kyle Rudolph and UCLA FS Rahim Moore.  Taking Moore here would be a C-minus, with Rudolph netting a C-plus.

St. Louis Rams Draft Grade: What Move Will Result in a "B"

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COLUMBIA, MO - OCTOBER 23: Aldon Smith #85 of the Missouri Tigers in action against the Oklahoma Sooners at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbia, Missouri. The Tigers beat the Sooners 36-27. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Image

The expected move will be for the Rams to stay put and grab the best defensive end on the board. This could be Aldon Smith, Cameron Jordan, Ryan Kerrigan or J.J. Watt.  

It is a bit early for an OLB.  The Rams need to be looking forward, and DE will soon be a position of need.  A little more pass rush in 2011 wouldn't hurt, either.

St. Louis Rams Draft Grade: What Move Will Result in a "A"

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EUGENE, OR - OCTOBER 21: Josh Huff #4 of the Oregon Ducks is tackled by defenders of the UCLA Bruins on October 21, 2010 at the Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

This is going to be a difficult task for the Rams, as they need some help to get here.

Trading down with the Eagles and getting their second-round pick would be one avenue to elevate their draft grade...so long as they get a player of value at No. 23.  

One player to consider at No. 23 would be the TE, Rudolph.  He has been mocked to the Rams at No. 14, which is too high, but he would be a solid selection at No. 23.

The Rams could also look at defense here.  They could benefit from an unlikely Aldon Smith free fall, but more likely it would involve drafting an OLB from the Pac 10 like Arizona's Brooks Reed or Akeem Ayers from UCLA.  If they are interested in Ayers, they could even look to Baltimore, Chicago, Pittsburgh or Green Bay as a trading partner, netting a third or fourth-round pick.

Turning pick No. 14 into two former Bruin defenders just might qualify as a first-round "A."  That would also leave them with their own second-round pick to grab a WR or a TE.

On second thought, maybe the Rams will just leave the podium open and keep the NFC West terribly competitive in 2011.