Sunday, April 27, 2008

Day 1 Draft Summary and Analysis

As I expected the Rams 1st round pick was the safest prospect in former Virginia defensive end Chris Long compare to LSU DT Glenn Dorsey. Coach Scott Linehan really liked C. Long's "intangibles" and he is excited to see him part of the defensive line that inludes ex-Pro Bowlers Leonard Little and LaRoi Glover with emerging tackles Adam Carriker and Clifton Ryan. Long will add some versatility on defense as he can play both left and right defensive end positions as well as stand up pass rusher as a linebacker (similar to what Philadelphia did Jevon Kearse before he went back to Tennessee).

Round Two on the other hand was a bit of a surprise personally as the Rams drafted WR Donnie Avery from University of Houston. I admit I have no knowledge about this guy because I would assume Cal WR DeSean Jackson would be here. Avery was the first pick overall for the Wide Reciever position (I was surprise that top WR prospects Devin Thomas and Limas Sweed where not picked during the 1st round). I did some research on Avery and i found out that he's a double threat as he has exceptional speed and he is also a good kick and punt returner. Some experts (and many Rams fans) argue that this team reached to make him the first receiver taken in the draft. But the Rams got something they needed. Once the run on receivers started in the second round, he probably would have gone somewhere else.

Houston played a spread offense, so Avery attacked defenses from every angle. He caught 210 passes for the Cougars, including 91 for 1,456 yards as a senior. For Donnie Avery's Scouting report you can go here.

To summarize the Rams draft, the team were able to fill some needed areas particularly on the defensive end position and depth at wide receiver and possible backup to Dante Hall.

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