How the Rams will utilize Tavon Austin

The reason why the Rams trade up to take Tavon Austin as the 8th overall pick is because of the unlimited potential of playing him anywhere in the offense may it be as a slot receiver or as a receiver out of the backfield. He is also a good kick and punt returner (similar to Darren Sproles).

Despite his stature, he is virtually durable and a sure handed receiver with blinding quickness.

Final Rams Mock Draft

With only two days before the annual NFL draft, I just want to share my final Rams mock draft based on my personal research and reading some scouting reports online. The mock draft will be based on the current number of picks.

Round 1 pick #16
Kenny Vaccaro
Safety - Texas
The Rams are fairly thin at both safety positions and they need playmakers on that position. Kenny Vaccaro is a hybrid safety that can play either strong or free safety to which Jeff Fisher likes.

Round 1 pick #22
DeAndre Hopkins
Wide Receiver - Clemson
Rams needs an upgrade on their outside receiver position with the loss of Brandon Gibson.  "Nuke" Hopkins is by far the most NFL ready wide receiver with the possibility of becoming one the top receiver since Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce.

Round 2 pick #16
Kyle Long
Guard/Tackle - Oregon
I picked Long because he's versatile, athletic and has the pedigree. Long can practically fill the LG spot or the RT spot if encase Saffold doesn't pan out.

Round 3 pick#16
Khaseem Greene
Outside Linebacker - Rutgers
Rams urgently need to upgrade their SLB and Greene would be their best cover linebacker.

Round 4 pick #16
Le'Veon Bell
Running Back -Michigan State
Le'Veon Bell has been my choice as the big running back that Jeff Fisher likes.

Round 5 pick#16
Brian Schwenke
Guard/Center
Rams need add depth at interior of the offensive line specially at the center position because of Scott Wells' health concerns.

Round 6 pick #16
Terry Hawthorne
Cornerback - Illinois
I like Hawthorne because he a physical corner which I compared to Courtland Finnegan.  He'll be the Dime Corner back which can cover the slot receivers or big Tight Ends.

Round 7 pick#16
Ace Sanders
Wide Receiver/Return specialist
South Carolina
Sanders will be upgrade over Janoris Jenkins or Chris Givens as the teams return specialist while adding depth at wide receiver.

My Updated Rams Mock Draft

With the latest news that most draft experts expect that Tavon Austin will be off the boards before the Rams pick at #16 so I updated my latest mock draft.

Round 1a - Kenny Vaccaro, FS
Round 1b (trade down) - Kyle Long OT/OG
Round 2- Terrence Williams, WR
Round 3a- Marcus Lattimore, RB
Round 3b- Barrett Jones OG/C
Round 4- Zaviar Gooden, OLB
Round 5- T.J. Moe, WR/PR
Round 6- David Bass, DE
Round 7- Best CB available

Mock Draft Game 2013

I played as a virtual GM for the Rams on this virtual NFL draft game

http://first-pick.com/NFL/DraftGame.aspx and here are my picks and the grade
given per pick:


My Picks:
Round 1 Pick 16: Tavon Austin, WR, West Virginia (A)
Round 1 Pick 22: Alec Ogletree, OLB, Georgia (A)
Round 2 Pick 17 (NYG): Jonathan Cyprien, SS, Florida International (A)
Round 3 Pick 19 (NYG): Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State (B-)
Round 3 Pick 20 (MIA): Le'Veon Bell, RB, Michigan State (B)
Round 4 Pick 14 (MIA): D.J. Swearinger, FS, South Carolina (B+)
Round 4 Pick 22 (WASH): Justin Pugh, OG, Syracuse (A)
Round 5 Pick 21 (WASH): Khaled Holmes, C, Southern California (A)
Round 5 Pick 29 (WASH): Adrian Bushell, CB, Louisville (A)
Round 6 Pick 16: David Bass, DE, Missouri Western State (A-)
Round 7 Pick 16: Michael Williams, TE, Alabama (A)

Had I traded down on the 1st round I could at least get another WR somewhere. By the end of the draft I should assume the Rams sign T.J. Moe who goes undrafted at the end of this virtual draft.

Missing out on Kenny Vaccarro resulted on me picking both Cyprien and Swearinger.