2011 NFL Draft Results: St Louis Rams' Depth Chart Heading into Spring

During most NFL offseasons, you can usually determine the depth chart immediately after the draft.  The big name player you just drafted and plan on signing to a 5-year, multi-million dollar contract will fill in whatever hole you selected him to fill, the second round pick will sometimes find his way into a starting role, and the rest of your picks fill in where needed.

In case you haven't noticed, this isn't your typical NFL offseason. 

Teams haven't been given the chance to sign free agents yet, so most rosters currently consist of 2010 players plus the draft picks.  Some teams added a player or two during the brief signing period a couple months ago (see: Redskins sign OJ Atogwe), but for the most part not much has changed.

The Rams depth chart features a couple of changes, but there won't be any drastic overhauls heading into 2011. 

That being said, lets take a look at the 2011 Rams depth chart.

Quarterback

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams prepares to snap the ball during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 5, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Rams defeated th

Rotation

1. Sam Bradford

2. AJ Feeley

3. Thad Lewis

Evaluation

No surprises here.  Feeley is a reliable veteran backup and Lewis showed some flashes of potential in preseason in 2010.  Bradford is your starter and if you disagree with that then you can leave. 

Running Back

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02: Running back Steven Jackson #39 of the St. Louis Rams looks on during their game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Rotation

1. Steven Jackson

2. Kenneth Darby

3. Keith Toston

Evaluation

This is the one depth chart I can guarantee won't be the same come opening day.  No one is sure if the Rams are going to bring back Kenneth Darby and even if they do, its hard to see a situation where they don't bring in a new back. 

Wide Receiver

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ST. LOUIS - OCTOBER 17: Danario Alexander #84 of the St. Louis Rams attempts to catch a pass against Antoine Cason #20 of the San Diego Chargers at the Edward Jones Dome on October 17, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Rams beat the Chargers 20-17. (Phot

Rotation

Outside:

1. Mark Clayton

2. Danario Alexander

3. Greg Salas

Slot:

1. Danny Amendola

2. Donnie Avery

3. Austin Pettis

4. Mardy Gilyard/Brandon Gibson/Laurent Robinson

Evaluation

The Rams now have a plethora of receivers to choose from in 2011.  Salas, Pettis, Gilyard, Brandon Gibson, and Laurent Robinson will all be fighting it out for the fifth, sixth, and possibly seventh spot on this team. 

Tight End

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MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 18: Lance Kendricks #84 of the Wisconsin Badgers catches a pass against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Camp Randall Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated Arizona State 20-19. (Photo by Jonathan Da

Rotation

1. Michael Hoomanawanui

2. Lance Kendricks

3. Billy Bajema

4. Daniel Fells

Evaluation

With McDaniels taking over the offense, pass catching tight ends will be of higher value.  Hoomanawanui showed flashes of being a threat in the passing game when healthy and he should see a boost in playing time next year. 

Rookie Lance Kendricks brings with him a pair of solid hands and good instincts in the passing game so he should see plenty of playing time immediately. 

Offensive Line

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EARTH CITY, MO - JULY 31: Rodger Saffold #76 of the St. Louis Rams in action during training camp at the Russell Athletic Training Facility on July 31, 2010 in Earth City, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Rotation

LT:

1. Rodger Saffold

2. Renardo Foster

LG:

1. Jacob Bell

2. John Greco

C

1. Jason Brown

2. Hank Fraley

RG

1. Adam Goldberg

2. John Greco

RT:

1. Jason Smith

2. Renardo Foster

Evaluation

Since the Rams didn't address their need of a right guard in the draft, it appears they'll carry the same line into 2011.  So no changes here.

Defensive Line

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FOXBORO, MA - AUGUST 26: Chris Long #72 of the St. Louis Rams looks on from the sideline against the New England Patriots on August 26, 2010 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Rotation

LDE:

1. Chris Long

2. George Selvie

DT:

1. Fred Robbins

2. Clifton Ryan

3. Gary Gibson

4. Darell Scott

5. Jermelle Cudjo

RDE:

1. James Hall

2. Robert Quinn

3. CJ Ah You

Evaluation

The only big change here is the insertion of first-round draft pick Robert Quinn behind James Hall.  Quinn will take over the starting role at some point, but being out of football for a year mixed with the tremendous 2010 season Hall had has Quinn playing backup early. 

Linebackers

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02: James Laurinaitis #55 of the St. Louis Rams celebrates recovering a fumble by the Seattle Seahawks during their game at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Rotation

LOLB:

1. Na'Il Diggs

2. David Vobora

3. Jabara Williams

MLB:

1. James Laurinaitis

2. David Vobora

ROLB:

1. Larry Grant

2. Bryan Kehl

3. Chris Chamberlain

Evaluation

When Diggs went down with an injury in the twelfth game in 2010, the Rams struggled at linebacker.  Diggs will be fine and should return to the starting role in 2011.   Former Mr. Irrelevant David Vobora will continue to be the utility linebacker.

Cornerbacks

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ST. LOUIS - SEPTEMBER 12: Ron Bartell #24 of the St. Louis Rams attempts to pick off a pass intended for Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinalsduring the NFL season opener at the Edward Jones Dome on September 12, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The

Rotation

LCB:

1. Ron Bartell

2. Jerome Murphy

3. Justin King

RCB:

1. Bradley Fletcher

2. Kevin Dockery

3. Quincy Butler

4. Mikail Baker

Evaluation

Bartell and Fletcher provide a nice duo of starting corners.  Murphy should make plenty of progress in 2011 and newcomer Mikail Baker could work his way into playing time if he can outplay Quincy Butler.

Safeties

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OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 19: James Butler #37 of the St. Louis Rams intercepts the ball past Louis Murphy #18 of the Oakland Raiders during an NFL game at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on September 19, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobso

Rotation

SS

1. Craig Dahl

2. James Butler

3. Michael Lewis

FS:

1. Darian Stewart

2. Jermale Hines

3. Jonathan Nelson

Evaluation

The loss of OJ Atogwe really hurts this team.

If there ever is a free agency period, expect the Rams to make a move on a safety.  Stewart and Hines aren't ready to get consistent playing time in the NFL and Spags would prefer to get someone more sound playing centerfield.

Dahl could see significant progress in 2011 with a year of starting under his belt, but if he doesn't progress the Rams have a solid veteran presence in Butler.

Special Teams

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GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 05: Kicker Josh Brown #3 of the St. Louis Rams high fives teammate Donnie Jones #5 after Brown kicked a 52 yard field goal against the Arizona Cardinals during the second quarter of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadiu

Rotation

K:

Josh Brown

P:

Donnie Jones

Evaluation

...yep

Closing Statement

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SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02: Head coach Steve Spagnuolo of the St. Louis Rams stands on the field during their game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

So as you can see, the Rams currently don't have a drastic difference in their rotations aside from the absence of OJ Atogwe. 

Hopefully this lockout can end so they can make a play at some free agents.