Rams News Recap: April 27

[RamBill]

NFL draft: Linebackers – Rams Needs: PD

Mack Goes From Obscurity to Top of Draft Class –PD
For three years, Khalil Mack was a highly productive yet relatively unknown college linebacker, tucked away at Buffalo in the Mid-American Conference. Then came the Bulls’ 2013 season opener at mighty Ohio State.

2014 NFL Schedule: Rams Among 4 Teams Set Up For Success –NFL.com
Super Bowls aren’t won in September, but they can certainly be lost.

Rams Prospect Profile: Billy Turner –Wagoner
The 2014 NFL draft is still 11 days away. Before we get there, we’ll take a look at a prospect or two in the draft who could be of interest to the St. Louis Rams.

2014 Rams Schedule Analysis –Softli
The St. Louis Rams will undoubtedly have the NFC West championship as their No.1 goal in 2014, with the Super Bowl as their ultimate goal.

Jim Thomas’ Mock Draft: Watkins to Rams –PD

NFL Draft: Defensive Line and Rams Needs –PD

Jon Gruden: A Certain Magic To Manziel –Video

Daniel Jeremiah Talks Draft and Rams –Radio Interview

Aaron Donald Proves Big Things Come in Small Packages –PD
Aaron Donald stood out in the crowd even though he probably was the shortest _ and smallest _ defensive tackle at the Senior Bowl.

 

[RamBill]

Morning Ram-blings: Closer look at QBs
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/7834/morning-ram-blings-closer-look-at-qbs

It's no secret the St. Louis Rams are going to select a quarterback in this year's NFL draft. They've been openly discussing it since January. At this point, only two questions remain: which quarterback and in what round?

While the 30 pre-draft visits each team is allowed had to be wrapped up by Sunday, there is still time for private workouts to take place in players' hometowns or on their college campuses.

Among quarterbacks, the only known visitor to St. Louis during that process is Pittsburgh's Tom Savage. That doesn't mean the team didn't visit with others but since they don't release the names of their visitors as other teams do, that information is harder to come by.

But the Rams have showed plenty of interest in other quarterbacks, especially ones from the SEC. That list includes Georgia's Aaron Murray, South Carolina's Connor Shaw and Alabama's A.J. McCarron.

In fact, according to a report from the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, the Rams will have a private workout with Murray this week. In addition, NFL.com's Albert Breer reported that St. Louis will do the same with McCarron on Thursday.

There has been plenty of speculation in recent weeks that the Rams have interest in another SEC quarterback, Texas A&M's Johnny Manziel, though he would have to be taken in the first round for it to happen. If he fell to No. 13, the Rams might have that conversation but that seems far more likely to be a smokescreen intended to get someone to move up in trade or, perhaps, select him before then to push a different player further down the order.

Regardless, the Rams have showed far more interest in quarterbacks likely to go in rounds 2, 3 and further down than round 1 so if indeed these workouts take place, they could serve as a final referendum on who the Rams might favor to be that choice when the time comes.

I.C.Y.M.I.

A roundup of the weekend's Rams stories appearing on ESPN.com. ... In Saturday's Ram-blings, we started with a look at a trade idea for the Rams' No. 13 pick from ESPN analyst Mark Dominik. ... Next, we looked back at the film from Friday's chat session covering a variety of Rams topics. ... Finally, we continued our prospect profiles with a closer look at North Dakota State offensive lineman Billy Turner.

Elsewhere:

Columnist Jeffri Chadiha takes a look at the future of Rams' foe Aldon Smith of the San Francisco 49ers.

At stltoday.com, Jim Thomas offers his next mock draft with the Rams selecting Clemson receiver Sammy Watkins at No. 2 overall.

Thomas also began his draft preview series with a look at the Rams and their possible needs along the defensive line.

At 101sports.com, Tony Softli breaks down the Rams' 2014 schedule.

At cbssports.com, a panel discusses who the Rams should take No. 2 overall.