Here are Rams picks on Day 2
ROUND 3 (No. 65 overall): JOHN GRECO
Position: Offensive tackle
Height, weight: 6-4, 326
College: Toledo
COLLEGE RECAP
Greco was the first offensive lineman to win the school’s Norman Cohen Award as the team’s top freshman. After starting at right tackle his first year, he moved to the left side for his final three years. He was a member of the All-Mid-American Conference first team his final two seasons and a team captain and third-team All-American his senior year.
PLUSES
Good bone structure. Goes full blast until the whistle. Uses his size and lower-body strength to get movement off the snap. Has the knee-bend to stay low in his pads off the snap and good recovery quickness to protect the pocket.
MINUSES
Lacks the athleticism and long arms to be effective reaching and mirroring edge rushers on the left side. Looks a bit sluggish trying to go long distances. Occassionally comes off a block early. Tends to lunge when punching if he gets his hands on the outside.
PROJECTED ROLE
Could become the Rams third tackle, though he also could see time at guard.
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ROUND 4 (No. 101 overall): JUSTIN KING
Position: Cornerback
Height, weight: 5-10, 192
College: Penn State
COLLEGE RECAP
Selected to the Sporting News’ Freshman All-American team, starting five of 12 games as a slot receiver in addition to reserve duty at cornerback. He switched full-time to cornerback in 2006 and was a first-team All-Big Ten pick in 2007. Was involved in an off-campus incident in April 2007; charges of criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and harassment were dropped because of lack of evidence.
PLUSES
Good leaping ability. Ran 4.3 speed in the 40, and has a smooth running stride. Shows proper timing to make plays on the ball in flight. Shows good acceleration staying with receivers on deep routes. Possesses a closing burst to prevent long gains on throws underneath.
MINUSES
Strength was rated as marginal, and he seems to shy away from contact in run support. He tends to give receivers a large cushion, which bigger receivers use to their advantage. More of an ankle-biter as a tackler.
PROJECTED ROLE
Should fit into special teams and provide depth in the defensive backfield. Consider him a project.
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ROUND 4 (No. 128 overall): KEENAN BURTON
Position: WR
Height, weight: 6-0, 202
College: Kentucky
COLLEGE RECAP
No. 4 in Kentucky history in TD catches (25), third in receiving yards (2,320) and fourth in receptions (182). Dangerous kick returner who amassed more than 4,000 career all-purpose yards.
PLUSES
Good size, speed (4.4 for 40 yards) and leaping ability (43½-inch vertical). Nice change-of-direction skills. Crisp route-runner. Has ability to get open. Willing to play hurt.
MINUSES
Long list of injuries in college. Doesn’t always use hands to make catches, cradling the ball instead. So-so burst off the line of scrimmage.
PROJECTED ROLE
Will get a shot to break into corps of wideouts. Also will get a look as a return man.
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ROUND 5 (No. 157 overall): ROY SCHUENING
Position: Offensive tackle
Height, weight: 6-4, 308
College: Oregon State
COLLEGE RECAP
Schuening made 50 consecutive starts at Oregon State, a school record, but played part of 2007 with pneumonia. He most often played at right guard but shifted to right tackle for the last four games of his senior season.
PLUSES
Has a well-proportioned frame that can carry at least another 15 pounds. Plays with aggression and 100 percent effort until the whistle. Has good field vision and picks up blitzes alertly. Good position blocker who keeps his feet working in-line.
MINUSES
Can suffer mental lapses on the field. Sometimes reacts slowly to a bull rush and is slow to get good hand placement against double moves. Must do a better job of shifting his weight and lowering his pads.
PROJECTED ROLE
Schuening should poivide depth on the offensive line, probably at guard.
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ROUND 7 (No. 228 overall): CHRISTOPHER CHAMBERLAIN
Position: Linebacker
Height, weight: 6-2, 226
College: Tulsa
COLLEGE RECAP
The Tulsa coaching staff considered Chamberlain the best athlete on the squad. He was recruited as a quarterback and defensive back but made the transition to weakside linebacker. He ended his career as the school's fifth-leading tackler, registering 352 in 50 games and was an honorable mention All-American his senior year.
PLUSES
Impressive flexibility, agility, balance, body control and change-of-direction skills. Reads and reacts to the plays instinctively. Smooth turning out of his backpedal and has a sharp initial burst to get a good jump on the ball.
MINUSES
He will need to add more bulk and improve his overall strength. Struggles to split double teams and loses battles when a lineman gets into his body. He can overpursue and miss tackles.
PROJECTED ROLE
Depth at outside linebacker, though he has changed positions so often that could be subject to change.
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ROUND 7 (No. 252 overall): DAVID VOBORA
Position: Linebacker
Height, weight: 6-1, 236
College: Idaho
COLLEGE RECAP
Vobora’s 134 tackles as a junior ranked seventh in the NCAA and his 148 in 2007 ranked third. Played more at weakside linebacker but occasionally moved into the middle. As a senior, he was an All-American honorable mention, All-WAC first-team member and the Vandals’ MVP.
PLUSES
Compensates for lack of size with good instincts. He’s often around the ball and almost never bites on play action or misdirection. Demonstrates good discipline and is quick to read and react to the run or pass. Takes good angles to close on the ball with urgency.
MINUSES
Struggles to add bulk and maintain weight. Lacks the range to chase down plays at the opposite end of the field. Does not show much explosion behind his hits. Backs push him easily when running right at him because of his high stance.
PROJECTED ROLE
Depth at strong side linebacker, special teams.
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