Ten for Pick No. 10: Brandon Scherff/Wagoner

[RamBill]

Ten for No. 10: Brandon Scherff
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/17574/ten-for-no-10-brandon-scherff

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- With a tip of the cap to Oakland Raiders reporter Bill Williamson for the idea and the fact that I'll be heading out for a little vacation this week, today we kick off our series of 10 for No. 10, a look at 10 players who could be in the mix for the St. Louis Rams with the 10th overall selection in the upcoming NFL draft.

For the purposes of this exercise, it's a little more difficult to peg who will be available and who won't, but out of the 10 we evaluate here, there's a good chance that some will be on the board when the Rams pick. Based on early returns, we're going to eliminate Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams and Florida defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. from the conversation. Those three, above all else, seem all but certain to be gone when the Rams pick.

Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa

Why the Rams should consider him: The Rams have obvious needs on the offensive line and Scherff is generally regarded as the best player in the draft at the position. He played tackle for the Hawkeyes but many think he's got Pro Bowl potential as a guard. The Rams need help at both spots, so Scherff would offer the versatility that they often seek in offensive linemen. From a scheme standpoint, Scherff also makes plenty of sense. The Rams want to be a power running team, and Scherff is an excellent run blocker with the ability to open holes on a consistent basis. His ability to play through injury and toughness also figure to be appealing from a personality standpoint to the Rams' coaching staff.

Why they shouldn't: There's an emerging school of thought that Scherff is not only better suited at guard but probably not anything more than an average tackle in the NFL. That means drafting Scherff at No. 10 would mean selecting a guard in the top 10 when there could be better players at positions of less pressing need available. Teams have taken guards in the top 10 in recent seasons, but those picks haven't panned out so far with the likes of Arizona's Jonathan Cooper offering a recent (injury-prone) example. Scherff needs polish in pass protection and though the Rams wouldn't lean on him to shut down top pass-rushers right away, they might not be able to afford to have another guy who would need help in protection on the line immediately. Scherff has proved tough by playing through injury, but he's also had a knack for those injuries. He had knee, leg and ankle injuries at Iowa.

Chances he's available at No. 10? There seem to be plenty of options available on the offensive line in this draft but maybe not one prospect that's definitely worthy of being a top-10 pick. Still, the need for offensive linemen around the league remains great. Most teams in front of the Rams have greater needs than the offensive line but the New York Giants at No. 9, among others, could pull the trigger on Scherff before the Rams come on the clock.

 

[RamBill]

Ten for No. 10: Amari Cooper
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/17577/ten-for-no-10-amari-cooper

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Today we continue our series of 10 for No. 10, a look at 10 players who could be in the mix for the St. Louis Rams with the 10th overall selection.

For the purposes of this exercise, it's a little more difficult to peg who will be available and who won't, but out of the 10 we evaluate here, there is a good chance that some will be on the board when the Rams pick. Based on early returns, we're going to eliminate Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams and Florida defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. from the conversation. Those three, above all else, seem all but certain to be gone when the Rams pick.

We've already looked at Iowa offensive lineman Brandon Scherff.

Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

Why the Rams should consider him: Perhaps the most polished prospect in the draft, Cooper seems to be the rare player with very little bust potential. Already a crisp and seasoned route runner, Cooper did nothing but make plays in his time with the Crimson Tide. In 2014, he had 124 catches for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns and was widely regarded as one of the best players in college football. The Rams managed to re-sign Kenny Britt and have a group of young receivers they insist they like moving forward, but Britt only signed a two-year deal and Brian Quick is coming off a major shoulder injury and due to be a free agent after the season. Cooper is good enough to become the No. 1 receiver the Rams have been missing since the days of Torry Holt.

Why they shouldn't: Some might wonder why a team that doesn't seem too concerned with building a dynamic passing game would spend the No. 10 overall pick on another wide receiver. Likewise, the Rams traded up to No. 8 to take Tavon Austin in 2013, and Austin hasn't produced at the level of that choice yet. At this point, receiver looks more like a want than a need, though the argument to get a true difference-maker is hard to ignore. Cooper doesn't have many holes in his game, but he is a shade under 6-foot-1 and that lack of height might make it more difficult for him to win the jump balls in the NFL that he did in college.

Chances he's available at No. 10: Of the players we'll go through on this list, Cooper and Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota are the two that seem most likely to be gone. We went ahead and listed Cooper here because the Rams have shown interest and brought him in for a pre-draft visit. Also, there aren't many teams in front of the Rams that have pressing receiver needs, but Cooper is a top-five talent so it's still hard to imagine him tumbling all the way to No. 10. Jacksonville, Oakland, the New York Jets, Chicago and even the New York Giants could find a player like Cooper too good to pass up.

 

[RamBill]

Ten for No. 10: Randy Gregory
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/17584/ten-for-no-10-randy-gregory

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Today we continue our series of 10 for No. 10, a look at 10 players who could be in the mix for the St. Louis Rams with the 10th overall selection in the upcoming NFL draft.

For the purposes of this exercise, it's a little more difficult to peg who will be available and who won't but out of the 10 we evaluate here, there's a good chance that some will be on the board when the Rams pick. Based on early returns, we're going to eliminate Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams and Florida defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. from the conversation. Those three, above all else, seem all but certain to be gone when the Rams pick.

We've already looked at Iowa offensive lineman Brandon Scherff, Alabama receiver Amari Cooper and Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota.

Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska

Why the Rams should consider him: At first blush, taking a pass-rusher seems a bit outrageous for a team that is well-stocked with defensive ends. But things aren't necessarily what they seem in the big picture. Starting end Chris Long is scheduled to count more than $14 million against the cap in 2016, the final year of his contract, and backups William Hayes and Eugene Sims will be free agents after this season. Considering those moving parts and the talent at the position in this draft, it's entirely possible the best player on the board when the Rams pick will be a defensive end. That certainly could be the case if Gregory falls. Many view Gregory as one of the three best defensive players in the draft after he posted 17.5 sacks over the past two seasons. Gregory is one of the draft's most athletic pass-rushers and boasts one of the quickest first steps of any pass-rusher in the draft.

Why they shouldn't: Obviously, the Rams have bigger needs than a pass-rusher, but this one in particular comes with quite a few questions. First and foremost, Gregory recently admitted to testing positive for marijuana, which isn't out of the ordinary but is at least a bit of a red flag. The Rams have had no qualms with drafting players with some red flags, but the bigger concern here might be the scheme fit. Gregory is listed at just 235 pounds and many believe he'd be better off as a 3-4 edge rusher. Gregory could theoretically become a Von Miller type of 4-3 linebacker or add weight to try to be a defensive end, but having fit as a question entering the NFL isn't exactly a good sign for a possible No. 10 overall pick. Gregory has also had durability issues, missing two games last season with a left knee injury and the entire 2012 season because of a broken leg.

Chances he's available at No. 10: On talent alone, one would expect Gregory to be off the board before No. 10, but obviously there are bigger issues at play. It's hard to know how any team views the positive test or any off-the-field indiscretions, but with so many talented pass-rushers in this draft, it stands to reason teams might prefer to take a prospect of similar talent but without the baggage. Still, there's no guarantee Gregory falls to No. 10. Tennessee, Jacksonville, Oakland, Washington, the New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons could all use pass rush help and might be willing to look the other way to land a player of Gregory's ability.

 

[RamBill]

Ten for No. 10: Kevin White
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/17588/ten-for-no-10-kevin-white

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- We continue our series of 10 for No. 10, a look at 10 players who could be in the mix for the St. Louis Rams with the 10th overall selection.

For the purposes of this exercise, it's a little more difficult to peg who will be available and who won't but out of the 10 we evaluate here, there's a good chance at that some will be on the board when the Rams pick. Based on early returns, we're going to eliminate Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams and Florida defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. from the conversation. Those three, above all else, seem all but certain to be gone when the Rams pick.

We've already looked at Iowa offensive lineman Brandon Scherff, Alabama receiver Amari Cooper, Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota and Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory.

Kevin White, WR, West Virginia

Why the Rams should consider him: Much like with Cooper, White offers the opportunity to add a potential No. 1 wide receiver. And in White's case, he brings a bit more size, strength and speed than Cooper to the table. White posted a dominant 2014 for the Mountaineers with 109 receptions for 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns. Known for his ability to win contested balls and make catches out of frame, White does have excellent straight line speed but doesn't even need the separation to make most catches. Plus, he's a former West Virginia wide receiver and the Rams clearly don't mind having those around with Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey already in house. OK, that's not a good reason to take a player, but White is generally regarded as one of the five or so best players in the draft and would also represent good value for the Rams if he slipped into range.

Why they shouldn't: Also like with Cooper, I'm not convinced the Rams will spend another top-1o pick on a wide receiver, especially after seeing Austin struggle to adjust in the NFL. Part of Austin's struggles go back to a lack of playing in a pro-style offense in Morgantown. White also comes with a small sample size of production. Although he dominated in 2014, he doesn't have any other dominant college seasons on his resume. Also, by no means is White a bad run blocker, but he still needs work in that regard, an area which the Rams don't take lightly given their preference for a power rushing attack.

Chances he's available at No. 10:He might not be getting the hype of Cooper, Winston or Mariota but there are draft pundits who believe White is every bit as good as Cooper and deserves to be in the discussion as a top-five selection. Looking at teams in front of the Rams that could take a receiver, there doesn't appear to be any shortage. Jacksonville, Oakland, the New York Jets, Chicago and even possibly the New York Giants could all take a long look at White before the Rams would come on the clock. Still, there seems to be a little better chance that White lasts longer and tumbles into the Rams' lap because he has just a couple more unknowns than some of the other top prospects.

 

[RamBill]

Ten for No. 10: Andrus Peat
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/17590/ten-for-no-10-andrus-peat

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Today we continue our series of 10 for No. 10, a look at 10 players who could be in the mix for the St. Louis Rams with the 10th overall selection.

For the purposes of this exercise, it's a little more difficult to peg who will be available and who won't but out of the 10 we evaluate here, there's a good chance that some will be on the board when the Rams pick. Based on early returns, we're going to eliminate Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams and Florida defensive end Dante Fowler from the conversation. Those three, above all else, seem all but certain to be gone when the Rams pick.

We've already looked at Iowa offensive lineman Brandon Scherff, Alabama receiver Amari Cooper, Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory and West Virginia receiver Kevin White.

Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford

Why the Rams should consider him: The needs on the offensive line have been well-documented but just as a refresher, the Rams need a right tackle, a guard and a center. That's at minimum. Depending on who you ask, Peat is the best pure tackle in this draft class. While guys like Scherff and LSU's La'el Collins might be better players overall, neither necessarily projects as a tackle at the NFL level. Peat comes with an excellent pedigree as his father actually played for the old St. Louis Cardinals and the Los Angeles version of the Raiders in a six-year career. At nearly 6-foot-7, 313 pounds, Peat is the prototype size for the position and the reach to strike defenders quickly. He also proved durable at Stanford, playing 40 of a possible 41 games in three seasons. From a scheme standpoint, Peat should be an easy and logical fit. Stanford's pro-style power-run offense would make for an easy transition to the Rams offense and allow the Rams to fill at least one of their offensive line holes with a player who might not need a ton of work to be ready.

Why they shouldn't: While Peat played in an offense that was power-heavy, the tape doesn't necessarily show a player who can be the type of run blocking bully the Rams like. Comes with questions about his mean streak and some draft analysts say that he gets caught lunging a bit too often and can get caught with his frame over his feet. Peat also has a nasty streak but it comes and goes, something that might not make him ideal for what the Rams want. Although he's solid in pass protection, doesn't dominate in that area, either. Scouts seem to have varying opinions on Peat but some might also believe that No. 10 is too high for him.

Chances he's available at No. 10: Barring a surprise, it seems entirely possible that Peat will be on the board at No. 10. There are teams in front of the Rams with clear needs on the offensive line but it doesn't seem like many will jump on Peat at the expense of a more talented player. One road block should the Rams want Peat could be the New York Giants. New York has needs on the offensive line and would like to move right tackle Justin Pugh inside to guard. Drafting a pure tackle like Peat might allow them to do that. The Rams have already brought Peat in for a pre-draft visit and it looks like there's a real chance they'll have a shot at him if that's the direction they want to go.

 

[RamBill]

Ten for No. 10: Shane Ray
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/17592/ten-for-no-10-shane-ray

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Today we continue our series of 10 for No. 10, a look at 10 players who could be in the mix for the St. Louis Rams with the No. 10 overall selection.

For the purposes of this exercise, it's a little more difficult to peg who will be available and who won't. But out of the 10 we evaluate here, there's a good chance that some will be on the board when the Rams pick. Based on early returns, we're going to eliminate Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams and Florida defensive end Dante Fowler from the conversation. Those three, above all else, seem certain to be gone when the Rams pick.

We've already looked at Iowa offensive lineman Brandon Scherff, Alabama receiver Amari Cooper, Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory, West Virginia receiver Kevin White and Stanford offensive tackle Andrus Peat.

Shane Ray, DE, Missouri

Why the Rams should consider him: The Rams, particularly coach Jeff Fisher, love pass rushers. And though it appears they have plenty on the roster now, they would be well served to begin planning for the future at defensive end. Chris Long is scheduled to count more than $14 million against the salary cap in 2016 and needs a big bounce back after an injury-plagued season to prove worthy of that amount. Backup ends William Hayes and Eugene Sims are free agents after the 2015 season. Robert Quinn is the only edge rusher on the roster with a combination of youth and team control. This draft is plentiful in pass rushers, and Ray is among the best. Playing his ball just down the road at Mizzou gave everyone a chance to see what the explosive Ray can do. He had 65 tackles, 14 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss in 2014 on his way to SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors. Ray has battled a toe injury during the pre-draft process but was mostly durable during his career and showed a willingness to play through injury. If he can add size, he could be an explosive rusher off the edge who is also capable of helping in the run game.

Why they shouldn't: The Rams do have more pressing immediate needs, especially along the offensive line. If things are close between a pass rusher and, say, an offensive lineman, it would be logical for them to lean toward the offensive line. Ray's case, in particular, is a little more vexing because it remains to be seen how he'd fit in a 4-3 defense. If anyone could find a way to use him, it'd be Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, but Ray is only 245 pounds and projects more as a 3-4 rush linebacker. The question would then become whether the Rams could add the weight necessary to be an every down 4-3 end or if they'd try to use him as a Von Miller-type stand up linebacker who specializes in the pass rush. Ray also needs work taking on blockers, as he often relied on his speed and burst to beat blockers in college.

Chances he's available at No. 10: Depending on who you ask, Ray is one of the top two or three pass rushers in the draft, or he falls somewhere closer to fifth or sixth in the pecking order. There's no shortage of teams in front of the Rams in need of pass rushers so all that really matters is how those teams rank the pass rushers. Tennessee, Jacksonville, Oakland, Washington, the New York Jets and Atlanta are among the primary teams in need of help at the position. With so many, it's entirely possible Ray won't fall to No. 10. If he does, the Rams could have an interesting decision to make because of how Ray projects to the NFL. The good news would be that because the Rams have good depth at the position, they could find unique ways to use him as a rookie while also giving him time to put on the weight and strength needed to be a more regular contributor.

 

[RamBill]

Ten for No. 10: La'el Collins
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/17595/ten-for-no-10-lael-collins

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- Today we continue our series of 10 for No. 10, a look at 10 players who could be in the mix for the St. Louis Rams with the 10th overall selection.

For the purposes of this exercise, it's a little more difficult to peg who will be available and who won't, but out of the 10 we evaluate here, there's a good chance at that some will be on the board when the Rams pick. Based on early returns, we're going to eliminate Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams and Florida defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. from the conversation. Those three, above all others, seem all but certain to be gone when the Rams pick.

We've already looked at Iowa offensive lineman Brandon Scherff, Alabama receiver Amari Cooper, Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory, West Virginia receiver Kevin White, Stanford offensive tackle Andrus Peat and Missouri defensive end Shane Ray.

La'el Collins, OL, LSU

Why the Rams should consider him: It doesn't take a genius to see that the Rams need help on the offensive line. With possible openings at center, guard and right tackle, the Rams will probably look long and hard at every offensive lineman in this class. Their interest in Collins is unknown at this point, but it stands to reason that he's on the list of those the Rams will investigate thoroughly. Collins is ideal for the Rams in the sense that he has the versatility they prefer in their big men. Collins started for the Tigers at both left guard and left tackle during his career and had success at both spots. It's unlikely he'll be a left tackle in the NFL, but it's possible he could play right tackle and projects best as a guard. At 6-foot-4 and 305 pounds, Collins might need to add some weight to be a guard, but he has the frame to play either spot. Collins was also durable at LSU, playing in 38 of his final 39 games. He's a solid run-blocker who can do a little bit of everything.

Why they shouldn't: While players like Collins are certainly talented, there's a belief that there simply aren't many, if any, offensive linemen worthy of being a top-10 pick this year. And though Collins is versatile, he might not be dominant enough at either position to garner such lofty consideration. That means the Rams could be staring in the face a more talented player at a position of lesser need. It wouldn't behoove them in that case to reach for need. Collins is a solid player, and though he's good in the run game, there are questions as to whether he can be the type of mauler the Rams look for in an offensive lineman.

Chances he's available at No. 10: It would probably qualify as a mild surprise if Collins wasn't available when the Rams pick at No. 10. As laid out above, there doesn't seem to be a big affinity for any of the top linemen heading into the draft and, Collins probably falls behind the likes of Scherff and Peat in most teams' eyes. It's probably not a matter of whether Collins will be available but whether the Rams view him as their guy at No. 10.

 

[RamBill]

Ten for No. 10: Trae Waynes
By Nick Wagoner

http://espn.go.com/blog/st-louis-rams/post/_/id/17597/ten-for-no-10-trae-waynes

EARTH CITY, Mo. -- We continue our series of 10 for No. 10, a look at 10 players who could be in the mix for the St. Louis Rams with the 10th overall selection.

For the purposes of this exercise, it's a little more difficult to peg who will be available and who won't but out of the 10 we evaluate here, there's a good chance at that some will be on the board when the Rams pick. Based on early returns, we're going to eliminate Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams and Florida defensive end Dante Fowler from the conversation. Those three, above all else, seem all but certain to be gone when the Rams pick.

We've already looked at Iowa offensive lineman Brandon Scherff, Alabama receiver Amari Cooper, Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory, West Virginia receiver Kevin White, Stanford offensive tackle Andrus Peat, Missouri defensive end Shane Ray and LSU offensive lineman La'el Collins.

Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

Why the Rams should consider him: Cornerback doesn't look like much of a need right now but similar to defensive end, the Rams could have a more pressing need after this season. Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson are both scheduled to hit free agency after the 2015 season and the guess here is that at least one of them won't be brought back considering the many other players the team will need to re-sign. With E.J. Gaines likely to play a prominent role moving forward and Lamarcus Joyner probably the nickel back of the future, a lockdown outside corner like Waynes might make a lot of sense. In fact, Waynes projects as just the type of corner who would fit well with what defensive coordinator Gregg Williams likes at the position. At 6-foot, 186 pounds, Waynes is a long, athletic corner who has a reputation for being a physical presence on the outside. Combine that size with elite speed and you have the makings of a possible No. 1 corner. Also excellent in run support, a positive check when you play in the NFC West division. Waynes projects ideally to a team that plays a lot of press-man and/or Cover 2.

Why they shouldn't: Even with Jenkins and Johnson headed toward free agency, the Rams have a solid group of young corners that includes Gaines, Joyner, Marcus Roberson and Brandon McGee. So even if they want to plan for the future, they might not be best served taking a corner with the 10th overall pick or in the first round at all. Plus, Rams coach Jeff Fisher is a big believer in Jenkins and if Jenkins can cut down on the occasional mental errors that plague him, there's little doubt that he's one of the best play makers at corner in the league. Waynes is probably worthy of a top 10 pick but does come with some questions. He has battled a shoulder ailment since high school and also had knee, leg and ankle injuries as a senior in high school. He did manage to stay on the field in college, however.

Chances he's available at No. 10: For what they're worth, there haven't been many media projections that have Waynes going before the 10th overall pick. But that doesn't mean there aren't teams in that range that have interest in him. The bigger threat to any Rams' potential interest in Waynes could come in the form of a team looking to move up to land him. Minnesota, drafting 11th, would be a logical landing spot and a possible move-up candidate.