Rams News Recap: May 21

[RamBill]

Why Tavon Austin is a Value Pick –CBSSports.com
Tavon Austin’s Fantasy owners spent last season groaning. Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer couldn’t figure out how to get this electric talent the ball in space.

Rams Rookie Profile: Lamarcus Joyner –Video

How does Aaron Donald fit with the Rams? –TST
The St. Louis Rams decided to add another pass rusher in the NFL Draft, and Donald brings an element that the Rams have been lacking.

Rams post-draft salary cap update –Wagoner
The St. Louis Rams will join the rest of their NFL brethren in signing their rookie class in the near future.

Rams Still Lacking in Fantasy Projections –Wagoner
It’s been quite some time since the St. Louis Rams had multiple players holding prominent spots on preseason lists of the expected top performers in fantasy football.

Rams Secondary Continues to get Younger –St.LouisRams.com
Much has been made over the Rams’ distinction as the league’s youngest team during both the 2012 and 2013 seasons.

NFC West Draft Review –Boylhart
The Rams made a plan and then they worked that plan. They selected OT Greg Robinson (Auburn) who was the top rated offensive player on just about everyone’s board.

Gaines thought he’d go higher in the draft — and the Rams did too –FSMW
E.J. Gaines did just about everything he could during the three days of the NFL Draft to avoid thinking about what was unfolding and how it impacted his so-close-he-could-taste-it football career.

Auburn’s OC Talks Greg Robinson and Tre Mason –Radio Interview

Morning Ram-blings: St. Louis Super? –Wagoner
It was a bit of a surprise Tuesday when Minneapolis won out over New Orleans as the host for the 2018 Super Bowl.

Wagoner’s Rams Buzz: Bradford and Long’s Recovery –Video

 

[RamBill]

Morning Ram-blings: Looking way ahead
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/8678/morning-ram-blings-looking-way-ahead

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Is it ever too early to look ahead to the 2015 NFL draft? Yes, yes it is.

But that's not going to stop us from doing it as we head toward the dog days of the summer between organized team activities and training camp. As we wait for OTAs to get going, let's take an early look at Mel Kiper Jr.'s big board for 2015. Insider

This far out, it's impossible to know what the St. Louis Rams' needs will be heading into the 2015 draft but there are some intriguing names on the list if it turns out the Rams need to make a change at quarterback. If the Rams struggle next season or incumbent Sam Bradford suffers another injury, that position is going to need some serious attention, more so than it got this year.

Kiper ranks Florida State's Jameis Winston as his No. 1 overall player with Oregon's Marcus Mariota at No. 4, Baylor's Bryce Petty at No. 14 and UCLA's Brett Hundley at No. 16.

If Bradford has a good season and the Rams finish in the middle of the pack or better, they'll have plenty of flexibility. And the need for a top receiver could still remain. Alabama's Amari Cooper is Kiper's top-rated receiver for now, checking in at No. 6.

I.C.Y.M.I.

A roundup of Wednesday's Rams stories appearing on ESPN.com. ... In the Ram-blings, we began the day with a look at St. Louis' path to landing a Super Bowl. ... In this week's NFL Nation Buzz, I discussed Bradford's and offensive tackle Jake Long's on-going rehab. ... Next, we took a look at Matthew Berry's top 200 fantasy rankings and the relative lack of Rams presence. ... Finally, we offered an update on the team's current salary cap situation.

Elsewhere:

Over on ESPN Insider, Matt Williamson ranks the top rookies for fantasy football heading into 2014. A certain Rams running back cracks the list.

Dan Graziano explores whether the Browns are handling Johnny Football-mania correctly.

At stltoday.com, Bryan Burwell discusses St. Louis and the Super Bowl.

Joe Lyons writes that Lamarcus Joyner is ready to get to work.

At 101sports.com, Anthony Stalter wonders if the Rams did enough to catch Seattle in the NFC West.