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Rams draft preview: Tight end
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/17767/rams-draft-preview-tight-end-2
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The NFL draft is set to begin April 30 and the St. Louis Rams hold six picks in this year's selection process. For the next week and a half, we'll take a look at a different position every day with what the Rams have in place at a position, what they need, when they might address it and some possible fits.
We continue the countdown with a look at this year's crop of tight ends.
In place: Jared Cook, Lance Kendricks, Cory Harkey, Alex Bayer, Justice Cunningham, Brad Smelley.
What's needed: After re-signing Kendricks and restricted free agent Harkey, the Rams really don't have any glaring needs at this position. In fact, one could argue this might be the position of least pressing need heading into the draft. The Rams have a strong mix of developmental talent (Cunningham, Bayer and Smelley), and versatile veterans (Cook, Kendricks and Harkey).
Possible fits: It's probably safe to assume the Rams won't be spending an early pick on one of the top tight ends such as Minnesota's Maxx Williams or Miami's Clive Walford. They have, however, showed at least some interest in one intriguing local prospect. Southern Illinois' MyCole Pruitt worked out for the Rams at their local prospect day in early April and is considered one of the better small-school players in the draft. Kansas tight end Charles Brooks, who attended Maplewood High, also attended that workout though he's not projected to be drafted. If the Rams don't spend a pick on a tight end, the undrafted types are the ones to more closely monitor since they could bring in another body or two to add to the camp competition.
Verdict: It would be a major surprise if the Rams used serious draft capital on a tight end and, with only six picks, it seems more than likely they won't be drafting a tight end at all. Not only is tight end not a need, this class isn't exactly loaded with talent either. If the Rams do take one, it probably wouldn't happen until the late rounds but the guess here is that they opt to avoid the position altogether.
By Nick Wagoner
http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/17767/rams-draft-preview-tight-end-2
EARTH CITY, Mo. -- The NFL draft is set to begin April 30 and the St. Louis Rams hold six picks in this year's selection process. For the next week and a half, we'll take a look at a different position every day with what the Rams have in place at a position, what they need, when they might address it and some possible fits.
We continue the countdown with a look at this year's crop of tight ends.
In place: Jared Cook, Lance Kendricks, Cory Harkey, Alex Bayer, Justice Cunningham, Brad Smelley.
What's needed: After re-signing Kendricks and restricted free agent Harkey, the Rams really don't have any glaring needs at this position. In fact, one could argue this might be the position of least pressing need heading into the draft. The Rams have a strong mix of developmental talent (Cunningham, Bayer and Smelley), and versatile veterans (Cook, Kendricks and Harkey).
Possible fits: It's probably safe to assume the Rams won't be spending an early pick on one of the top tight ends such as Minnesota's Maxx Williams or Miami's Clive Walford. They have, however, showed at least some interest in one intriguing local prospect. Southern Illinois' MyCole Pruitt worked out for the Rams at their local prospect day in early April and is considered one of the better small-school players in the draft. Kansas tight end Charles Brooks, who attended Maplewood High, also attended that workout though he's not projected to be drafted. If the Rams don't spend a pick on a tight end, the undrafted types are the ones to more closely monitor since they could bring in another body or two to add to the camp competition.
Verdict: It would be a major surprise if the Rams used serious draft capital on a tight end and, with only six picks, it seems more than likely they won't be drafting a tight end at all. Not only is tight end not a need, this class isn't exactly loaded with talent either. If the Rams do take one, it probably wouldn't happen until the late rounds but the guess here is that they opt to avoid the position altogether.