St. Louis Rams Mock Draft: Who the Rams Should Pick in Every Round

The St. Louis Rams' season isn't officially over. They still have two games remaining, but let's all be honest with each other here. The only thing Rams' fans have to look forward to at this point is the NFL Draft.

Where are the Rams picking, and what are their needs? That's all we're talking about at this point.

So what are the Rams' needs? Of course, we need to upgrade the offensive line. They also need to add playmakers, especially at the wide receiver position.

After that, the Rams need to focus on adding talent to the linebacking corps, and they need to add a few big bodies to the defensive tackle rotation. If they have any picks left after that, it wouldn't hurt to add a cornerback or two that might stay healthy.

Besides that, the Rams are good to go.

With such a high pick forthcoming, and so many holes in the roster, trading back in the first round to stockpile more picks has to be one option on the table. I discussed the six scenarios facing the Rams in this draft in another article.

Assuming the Rams stand pat, here is who I think the Rams need to target in this draft.

All scouting information provided by New Era Scouting.

First Round (2nd overall pick), Matt Kalil (LT, USC).

By picking Kalil, the Rams will be filling three holes on their offensive line. Kalil will be a franchise left tackle for the next decade. Incumbent left tackle Rodger Saffold, who has been a solid player, would move to right tackle where he would be a major upgrade at that position.

That would allow the Rams to move right tackle Jason Smith, the former No. 2 overall pick who has been a bust, to move to left guard. Smith can't block the edge pass rushers, but he is a good run blocker, so he might be a very good interior lineman.

By drafting Kalil, the Rams would effectively fix their entire o-line with one player.

Second Round (34th Overall Pick), Nick Toon (WR, Wisconsin).

If Alabama LB Courtney Upshaw is on the board, I think he will be the selection here. Since I think he will be snatched up at the end of the first round, then Toon becomes the obvious choice. He is a 6'2, 220 pound beast of a receiver.

His 40 time (4.52) isn't blazing fast, but he is faster than the top two receivers in this draft, Justin Blackmon (4.54) and Alshon Jeffrey (4.56).

With Toon lined up opposite Brandon Lloyd, the Rams would have their best pair of receivers since the days of Torry Holt and Issac Bruce.

Third Round, (98th Overall Pick), Sylvester Williams (DT, UNC)

At this point in the draft, the Rams are going to be looking for a starter at defensive tackle, outside linebacker, or some much needed depth at cornerback. If Sylvester Williams is still on the board, the Rams won't pass on the defensive tackle out of the University of North Carolina.

Williams is big (6'3, 320 pounds) and explosive. He fills a glaring hole on the Rams roster, and he is a great value pick in the third round. Williams should be able to challenge for a starting position as a rookie.  

Fourth Round, (130th Overall Pick), Sean Spence (OLB, Miami FL)

The Rams currently have one starting-caliber linebacker on the roster in James Laurinaitis. In order for Laurinaitis to be the All-Pro he is destined to be, he needs help in front of him (in the form of DT Sylvester Williams) and help around him.

That's where Sean Spence could help the Rams. He is an undersized linebacker (5'11, 224 pounds), but he is fast (4.58 in the 40) and he makes plays. Spence is rated higher than this draft slot, but concerns over his lack of size could make him slide down some draft boards. If he falls to the fourth round, the Rams will not let him slide past them.

Spence should step into the starting lineup as a rookie. If for some reason he is off the board, the Rams could consider Travis Lewis (OLB, Oklahoma) or help in the secondary.

Fifth Round Pick, Sent to Denver Via the Brandon Lloyd Trade

This is the best receiver the Rams "drafted" during GM Billy Devaney's time with the Rams. When you think about some of the wasted picks on receivers... Donnie Avery, Keenan Burton, Mardy Gilyard and the book is still out on Austin Pettis and Greg Salas... it's amazing the Rams got Lloyd for a fifth-round pick.

Nice job, Billy D. It doesn't make up for all the mistakes you made in the draft, but Rams' fans thank you for your one good contribution to the team on your way out the door.

Sixth Round (162nd Overall Pick), Asa Jackson (CB, Cal Poly)

That is a picture of Rams' head coach Steve Spagnulo talking to a couple of Rams' cornerbacks that are on the injured reserve. The Rams had a hard time with injuries in the secondary, so at this point in the draft they might consider some depth at corner.

Asa Jackson is an interesting prospect at corner. He is from a non-football power, Cal Poly, but he is blazing fast (4.4) and has decent size (5'10, 188 pounds). If the Rams aren't fully confident that all their injured corners will be 100 percent next year, Jackson is a choice that makes sense.

If all the Rams corners are healthy, then corner is actually a position of strength for the Rams. If that is the case, they could look at Tyler Nielsen (OLB, Iowa), Terrance Ganaway (RB, Baylor), or Brian Quick (WR, Appalachian St).

Seventh Round (194th Overall Pick), Bobby Rainey (RB, Western Kentucky)

Steven Jackson is pictured above. He is a proud warrior, a beast of a running back, and he has had a terrific career with the Rams. Jackson needs help. The Rams signed Cadillac Williams and Jerious Norwood to provide depth, but neither guy could stay healthy.

Of course, a history of injuries followed them to St. Louis, so this shouldn't be a surprise.

The Rams are going to take a running back somewhere in this draft. I think they might find a hidden gem in the late rounds if they look hard enough. Bobby Rainey could be that hidden gem. He is small (5'7, 205 pounds), but he is quick and shifty (4.49 in the 40). He could provide an excellent change-of-pace back for the Rams next season.

Final Analysis

Here is what the Rams' roster would look like after the draft:

OFFENSIVE STARTERS: Sam Bradford (QB), Steven Jackson (RB), Brandon Lloyd (WR1), Nick Toon (WR2), Danny Amendola (WR3), Lance Kendricks (TE), Matt Kalil (LT), Jason Smith (LG), Jason Brown (C), Harvey Dahl (RG), and Rodger Saffold (RT).

OFFENSIVE RESERVES: Adam Goldberg (OL), Tony Wragge (OL), Greg Salas (WR4), Austin Pettis (WR5), Illinois Mike (TE), Bobby Rainey (RB2), Jerious Norwood (RB3), Brit Miller (FB).

DEFENSIVE STARTERS: Robert Quinn (RE), Justin Bannan (DT), Sylvester Williams (DT), Chris Long (LE), Sean Spence (OLB), James Laurinaitis (MLB), Chris Chambers (OLB), Ron Bartell (CB), Darian Stewart (S), Quintin Mickell (S), Jerome Murphy (CB).

DEFENSIVE RESERVES: Asa Jackson (CB), Justin King (CB), C.J. Ah You (DE), Eugene Sims (DE), Darrell Scott (DT), Brady Poppinga (OLB), Craig Dahl (S).