Rams Mock Draft Version 3

It's been a while since a posted a new mock draft for the St. Louis Rams and today I made some significant changes to the mockdraft.

Before the I go over the mock draft there are certain situations that I would post before going proceeding to the mock draft itself to better understand the mock draft itself.

Free agency Signings
Rodger Saffold (Right Guard)
Tim Barnes(Center)
Shelley Smith (Guard) - 1 year minimum

March Cuts
Harvey Dahl
Scott Wells

Post June 1 Cuts
Cortland Finnegan
Kendall Langford

Mock Draft

Trade:

Rams trade Round 1 Pick2 to the Pittsburgh Steelers for (Round 1 pick 15, Round 2 pick 14, Round 4 pick 18).

Round 1 pick 13: Darqueze Dennard CB | Michigan State:
This is a surprise to some but this make sense since the Rams are very thin at corner back so the Rams will draft the best available cornerback in Darqueze Dennard. Dubbed "No Fly Zone" Dennard would provide the Rams the same ballhawk skills and physicality that Cortland Finnegan provides and instantly solidify the cornerback corp.

Round 1 pick 15: HaSean Clinton-Dix, FS | Alabama:
The Rams have been looking for a solid Free Safety since O.J. Atogwe so the Rams would draft the best "hybrid" safety in Clinton-Dix. "Ha Ha" is so good on both deep pass coverage as well as against the run and has played in a very tough college conference.

Round 2, Pick 12: Xavier Su'a-Filo OG/OT | UCLA:
The Rams needs to solidify the left guard position since Chris Williams AND Shelley Smith are average at best. Su'a-Filo also has Left Tackle experience so he provides versatility too. He's a bit raw for now but we all know how Paul Boudreau coaches his O-linemen.

Round 2, Pick 14: Ra'shede Hageman DT | Minnesota:
With the Rams releasing Kendall Langford, the Rams needed an upgrade and Rashede Hageman is the upgrade. Hageman is a freak of an athlete 6'6" 308lbs and is being compared to former Pat/Raiders Richard Seymour. There are some questions about his off-the-field attitude but that does not deter the Rams to get their own version of Albert Haynesworth (the good side hopefully).

Round 3, Pick 11: Jarvis Landry, WR | LSU:
With the Austin Pettis becoming a free agent next season, the Rams would add a receiver who has played in the same offensive system as the Rams who has good route running skills and good hands and good game speed. What stands out for Landry is his physicality specially when blocking. Having a good blocker down field would benefit Zac Stacy and the other runningbacks on running plays.

Round 4,  Pick 10: Christian Jones ILB/OLB | Florida State:
The Rams need to replace Jo-Lonn Dunbar and Christian Jones would not only provide the Rams the toughness and speed, but he will also give the Rams some versatility as he can be either play middle linebacker, rush 'backer/ blitzer and a defensive end on nickel/dime packages. He is also great analyzing plays against red-option offenses like the Panthers, Seahawks and the 49ers.

Round 4, Pick 14: Zach Mettenberger  QB | LSU:
The Rams needed an upgrade at backup QB who can potentially challenge Sam Bradford. Mettenberger has a benefit of playing in pro-style offense under Cam Cameron so his transition would not be as difficult.

Round 5, Pick 13: Wesley Johnson, OT | Vanderbilt:
Wesley Johnson is one of the top Offensive Lineman in the SEC. He help Zac Stacy rack up 2000 yards in his last two years in Vanderbilt and what good about Johnson is his versatility to play all FIVE o-lineman position. He's practically another Barrett Jones but much better body frame and more disciplined.

Round 6, Pick 12:  Chris Coyle, Fullback / H-back / Tight End | Arizona State
Mike McNeil is a free agent and the Rams replace his production in both special teams and on Ogre Formations (Two Tight-end, 1 Full back formations).

Round 7, Pick 11: Dontae Johnson, FS/CB | North Carolina State
The Rams needed more depth in the secondary and with Darian Stewart now a free agent Johnson can play play both Free Safety and cornerback.

2014 Rams Mock Draft version 2

The his my first version of my mock draft that will be updated every week.

The Pre Draft Scenario:
-Rams didn't sign any Free Agents
-Didn't re-sign any own free agents

Pre-draft trade:
#2 pick to the Cleveland Browns for #8 and #24 (Colts pick)

Round 1:

Pick #8: Sammy Watkins WR, Clemson;
-Sammy Watkins is the beast Wide Receiver of this class in the level of A.J. Green. He is explosive and has great hands. He will start opposite Chris Givens.

Pick #13: Ha'Sean "Ha Ha" Clinton-Dix FS, Alabama

-Last year Rams were in a position to draft Kenny Vaccaro but traded up to pick Tavon Austin, this year the Rams again will draft the best safety in Alabama's Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. He is durable and played very well at high level.

Pick #24: Ra'Shede Hageman, DT/DE, Minnesota

-You might ask why a defensive tackle when the Rams already have Michael Brokers. This scenario is assumed that Kendall Langford is allowed to test the free agency market so we have a glaring hole in the middle of the defensive line. Hagemon is a freak as he is explosive and athletic for his 6'6" 311lbs frame and he very versatile that he can play either defensive tackle or defensive end. He reminds me of Richard Seymour AND J.J. Watt who can rush the passer from the interior of the line which the Rams needed to succeed in the NFC West.

Round 2:

Pick #13: Cyril Richardson OG, Baylor
-Rams needs to protect Sam Bradford and Chris Williams is not the answer at LG. Richardson is one of the best available Guard in the draft next to David Yankey. What's great about Richardson is that he can slide out at LT and still play at a high level. Versatility is a one trait that Jeff Fisher likes with his offensive lineman.

Round 3: Pick #13: E.J. Gaines CB, Missouri

-Gaines is the best cornerback in the SEC conference as he has covered the opposing team's top receivers despite his 5' 11" stature. He effective shutdown Texas A & M's Mike Evans without problem.

Round 4: Pick #13: Zach Mettenberger QB, LSU

-Rams are in need of an upgrade at backup QB and Zach Mettenberger is the best available prospect. Mettenberger has the typical body frame of a QB and has played in a pro style offense under Cam Cameron. With his recent ACL injury, I would assume Mettenberger will drop into day 3. 

Round 5: Pick #13: Wesley Johnson OT, Vanderbilt

-Rams needed to add depth at offensive line and Johnson is the best at this juncture for several reasons:

• Has been a starter for 4 years at Vanderbilt
• Has played all five offensive line positions which shows versatility.
• Has not called been called "false start" since his freshman year that shows good football presence and discipline.
• Playing in the SEC shows that he faced the best competition.

Round 6: Pick#13: Denicos Allen LB, Michigan State

-Allen is part of the best defense in Big 10 conference and his only flaw is his height of 5'11". Despite this height Allen has lead his team tackles. He will add depth at linebacker with the loss of Jo Lonn Dunbar and Will Witherspoon to free agency.

Round 7: Pick#13: Keith McGill DB Utah

-Rams continue to add secondary depth by picking Keith McGill. McGill is a big at 6'3" 203 lbs and has played FS, SS and Cornerback.

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 Rams Mock Draft

Round 1: Offensive Tackle Jason Smith - Baylor

The reason that an offensive tackle should be draft on the 1st round because the Rams should protect Marc Bulger at all cost and both Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe are NFL ready with Smith having more upside.

While both Smith and Monroe are elite pass protectors, the former offers more in the run-blocking department.

Why not Aaron Curry? a franchise left tackle holds way more positional value than a linebacker.




Round 2: Middle Linebacker James Laurinaitis - Ohio State

Will Witherspoon will be moving over to weakside linebacker, creating a need for the Rams in the middle. St. Louis could desperately use a dynamic talent like James Laurinaitis as a leader for its abysmal defense.


Round 3: Wide Reciever Hakeem Nicks - North Carolina

What I like about Hakeem Nicks aside from the size and is his route running and a sure catching hands. Speed and quickness are just average but with Rams now using a balanced West Coast type of offense speed is not an issue in my opinion.