Jim Thomas Grades the Rams' Draft /PD

[RamBill]

Jim Thomas grades the Rams' draft
• By Jim Thomas

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_e2698177-ef93-564a-a18f-b6a4aaf04790.html

Post-Dispatch football writer Jim Thomas, who has covered the Rams all 19 of their seasons in St. Louis, grades the Rams' 2014 draft class.

ROUND 1

• Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn

A massive, powerful blocker, but he’ll have to learn to pass block.

Grade: A minus

• Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh

Too good to pass on at No. 13, he’ll give Rams an interior pass rush.

Grade: A

ROUND 2

• Lamarcus Joyner, CB/S, Florida State

Fills glaring need at nickel back; adds toughness and leadership.

Grade: A minus

ROUND 3

• Tre Mason, RB, Auburn

The Rams just went from decent to good in their backfield.

Grade: A

ROUND 4

• Maurice Alexander, S, Utah State

Beyond off-field issue, has played only one year of college safety.

Grade: C+

ROUND 6

• E.J. Gaines, CB, Missouri

Great value here; should have gone a round or two higher.

Grade: A minus

• Garrett Gilbert, QB, SMU

Not blaming Gilbert, but Rams should have popped on QB earlier.

Grade: C

ROUND 7

• Mitchell Van Dyk, OT, Portland State

Has size and potential, and that’s a good start in the seventh round.

Grade: B

• Christian Bryant, S, Ohio State

Potential steal; ankle injury depressed his draft stock.

Grade: B+

• Michael Sam, DE, Missouri

How often do you see SEC defensive player of year this late?

Grade: A

• Demetrius Rhaney, C, Tenn. St.

The forgotten pick after Sam; has some substance to him.

Grade: B

• OVERALL GRADE

It’s hard to argue with what the Rams did on the first two days of the draft, comprising the first three rounds. But passing on a quarterback until Round 6 is a gamble.

So is not taking a wide receiver through 11 picks — a point that was underscored by Stedman Bailey’s four-game suspension Monday.

And it was mildly surprising that the team didn’t attempt to bolster depth at linebacker. But all in all, it looks like the Rams got better.

GRADE: B+

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

He is giving Sam too much love.

 

[duckhunter]

If all goes well, in year 3 we can grade it an A. I also would have liked a reserve, versatile LB behind the starters. As fans who don't see every day practices and only have their college history to go off of and some special team plays, it's difficult to judge and frustrating when a reserve hits the field and he is clearly not ready.

 

[mr.stlouis]

He is giving Sam too much love.

I thought he would go in the third round. I agree with your statement, though, but also the grade.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I thought he would go in the third round. I agree with your statement, though, but also the grade.

It was also a subtle joke.

But I didn't think he would get drafted at all because his combine was terrible.

 

[…..]

I dont get all this rediculous talk about "pasing on a QB until the 6th round".....blah blah blah

Fact of the matter is....once it is decided you arent going for a starting QB....wtf does it matter? Look how long Austin Davis has hung around....has it made a difference?

We will shell out 1.5-2.5 million for a veteran clipboard holder. And he will hold a clip board earning every cent. Whining about who got drafted and in what round is really pointless because they will not be active on game days.