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http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2373750-st-louis-rams-mock-draft-7-round-predictions-post-combine
St. Louis Rams Mock Draft: 7-Round Predictions Post-Combine
By Steven Gerwel, Featured Columnist
First, it's worth noting that this mock draft assumes that the Rams stand behind Sam Bradford at quarterback. It also assumes the Rams will do something to address the quarterback position either through trade or free agency.
Round 1: T Ereck Flowers, Miami (Florida)
David J. Phillip/Associated Press
The Rams desperately need upgrades on the offensive line, and there's no guarantee right tackle Joe Barksdale will re-sign. With that in mind, Miami's Ereck Flowers is an excellent option at No. 10 overall.
Flowers led the combine with 37 reps on the 225-pound bench press. His strength is what makes him a fierce run-blocker, and that's what Jeff Fisher is looking for in linemen. St. Louis desires to be a run-first team, and Flowers will help the Rams accomplish that.
It's true that guard and center are the most desperate positions on the line, but adding a tackle still has its benefits. For one, it's an excellent insurance policy if Barksdale walks. Also, even if Barksdale is retained, either him or Flowers can make the move to right guard.
There's not too much flash with this pick, but it's a solid selection that will upgrade the offense.
Round 2: WR Dorial Green-Beckham, Oklahoma
David J. Phillip/Associated Press
I recently suggested that St. Louis should consider looking at receivers other than Dorial Green-Beckham in the first round. Having said that, if DGB somehow slips to the Rams in Round 2, it'd be a hard opportunity to pass by.
Green-Beckham had a decent but unspectacular combine showing. He finished with 13 reps on the bench and a 4.49-second 40-yard dash, but those numbers aren't exactly jaw-dropping—certainly not enough to overlook his off-field concerns.
With the heat surrounding Josh Gordon, along with the NFL's 2014 domestic abuse embarrassment, it wouldn't be shocking if teams avoided Green-Beckham completely in Round 1.
If that happens, he's certainly worth a second-round gamble. He's a truly elite athlete, and his potential is unmatched by any receiver in this class. If he pans out, it would give the St. Louis offense the Calvin Johnson-type receiver every team searches for.
Obviously, a lot will depend on how DGB conducts himself in the interview room. If there are still major concerns, then he's simply not worth the headache.
Round 3: G Laken Tomlinson, Duke
Julio Cortez/Associated Press
Laken Tomlinson's draft stock continues to climb. If the Rams are lucky enough to have him fall in their laps in Round 3, it'd be wise to jump at the chance.
Tomlinson is a high-character player who dominated the combine. He put up 25 reps on the bench and had a respectable 5.22 40-yard dash time. Additionally, he's an excellent commodity on the field. There's not a guard in the draft who pass-protects better than Tomlinson.
If the Rams can somehow snag a high-end starting guard like Tomlinson in Round 3, it would easily be the team's best pick of the draft.
Round 5: QB Bryce Petty, Baylor
Julio Cortez/Associated Press
As of now, it's extremely difficult to determine where the 2015 quarterbacks will land in the draft. There's a four-way race—Brett Hundley, Sean Mannion, Garrett Grayson, Bryce Petty—to be the No. 3 quarterback of the class, and there's no predicting how it will unfold.
One of those four quarterbacks will likely drop to Day 3. It might take trading into the fourth round to grab him, but it's hard to say. It's perfectly reasonable to believe that a mid-level quarterback prospect, like Petty, will be available in Round 5.
Petty lacks elite arm strength but still has a nice touch on his deep balls. He's also a nice scrambler and knows how to escape defenders and move out of the pocket.
It's doubtful that Petty will be useful to the Rams in 2015, but he could eventually turn into something special if properly developed.
Round 7: LB Curtis Grant, Ohio State
Jay LaPrete/Associated Press
As of now, the Rams own the final pick of the 2015 draft. That will likely change once the compensatory picks are awarded, but for now, Mr. Irrelevant will be a Ram.
It's foolish to think the Rams or any team can find a solid starter at the end of the draft. So why not search for a backup at a valuable position?
James Laurinaitis has not missed a single start in his six NFL seasons. Eventually, that streak will end, and the Rams must be prepared.
Ohio State's Curtis Grant is a nice developmental project at middle linebacker. Not to mention, Laurinaitis would be thrilled to have a fellow Buckeye as his backup.
St. Louis Rams Mock Draft: 7-Round Predictions Post-Combine
By Steven Gerwel, Featured Columnist
First, it's worth noting that this mock draft assumes that the Rams stand behind Sam Bradford at quarterback. It also assumes the Rams will do something to address the quarterback position either through trade or free agency.
Round 1: T Ereck Flowers, Miami (Florida)
David J. Phillip/Associated Press
The Rams desperately need upgrades on the offensive line, and there's no guarantee right tackle Joe Barksdale will re-sign. With that in mind, Miami's Ereck Flowers is an excellent option at No. 10 overall.
Flowers led the combine with 37 reps on the 225-pound bench press. His strength is what makes him a fierce run-blocker, and that's what Jeff Fisher is looking for in linemen. St. Louis desires to be a run-first team, and Flowers will help the Rams accomplish that.
It's true that guard and center are the most desperate positions on the line, but adding a tackle still has its benefits. For one, it's an excellent insurance policy if Barksdale walks. Also, even if Barksdale is retained, either him or Flowers can make the move to right guard.
There's not too much flash with this pick, but it's a solid selection that will upgrade the offense.
Round 2: WR Dorial Green-Beckham, Oklahoma
David J. Phillip/Associated Press
I recently suggested that St. Louis should consider looking at receivers other than Dorial Green-Beckham in the first round. Having said that, if DGB somehow slips to the Rams in Round 2, it'd be a hard opportunity to pass by.
Green-Beckham had a decent but unspectacular combine showing. He finished with 13 reps on the bench and a 4.49-second 40-yard dash, but those numbers aren't exactly jaw-dropping—certainly not enough to overlook his off-field concerns.
With the heat surrounding Josh Gordon, along with the NFL's 2014 domestic abuse embarrassment, it wouldn't be shocking if teams avoided Green-Beckham completely in Round 1.
If that happens, he's certainly worth a second-round gamble. He's a truly elite athlete, and his potential is unmatched by any receiver in this class. If he pans out, it would give the St. Louis offense the Calvin Johnson-type receiver every team searches for.
Obviously, a lot will depend on how DGB conducts himself in the interview room. If there are still major concerns, then he's simply not worth the headache.
Round 3: G Laken Tomlinson, Duke
Julio Cortez/Associated Press
Laken Tomlinson's draft stock continues to climb. If the Rams are lucky enough to have him fall in their laps in Round 3, it'd be wise to jump at the chance.
Tomlinson is a high-character player who dominated the combine. He put up 25 reps on the bench and had a respectable 5.22 40-yard dash time. Additionally, he's an excellent commodity on the field. There's not a guard in the draft who pass-protects better than Tomlinson.
If the Rams can somehow snag a high-end starting guard like Tomlinson in Round 3, it would easily be the team's best pick of the draft.
Round 5: QB Bryce Petty, Baylor
Julio Cortez/Associated Press
As of now, it's extremely difficult to determine where the 2015 quarterbacks will land in the draft. There's a four-way race—Brett Hundley, Sean Mannion, Garrett Grayson, Bryce Petty—to be the No. 3 quarterback of the class, and there's no predicting how it will unfold.
One of those four quarterbacks will likely drop to Day 3. It might take trading into the fourth round to grab him, but it's hard to say. It's perfectly reasonable to believe that a mid-level quarterback prospect, like Petty, will be available in Round 5.
Petty lacks elite arm strength but still has a nice touch on his deep balls. He's also a nice scrambler and knows how to escape defenders and move out of the pocket.
It's doubtful that Petty will be useful to the Rams in 2015, but he could eventually turn into something special if properly developed.
Round 7: LB Curtis Grant, Ohio State
Jay LaPrete/Associated Press
As of now, the Rams own the final pick of the 2015 draft. That will likely change once the compensatory picks are awarded, but for now, Mr. Irrelevant will be a Ram.
It's foolish to think the Rams or any team can find a solid starter at the end of the draft. So why not search for a backup at a valuable position?
James Laurinaitis has not missed a single start in his six NFL seasons. Eventually, that streak will end, and the Rams must be prepared.
Ohio State's Curtis Grant is a nice developmental project at middle linebacker. Not to mention, Laurinaitis would be thrilled to have a fellow Buckeye as his backup.
