DR RAM's Mock Draft Scenario's
2/1/13
16 - Lane Johnson, OT Oklahoma. Flying up the boards because of his tape, athleticism, and play at the Senior Bowl. Probably more upside than any of the OT's in the draft, which is saying a lot, because there is a lot of skill at the top. After watching clips of him play, and his practices at the Senior Bowl, along with his game, Lane Johnson is a truly rare prospect. He makes plays at left tackle that Pro Bowler's can not make. He needs more strength and more experience, but he is a day one starter at left tackle if you need him there, and will be your starter for the next 12 years barring injury.
22 - Kawann Short, DT Purdue. A 6' 3" 310 lbs player that can dominate. Very quick, very strong front line player that has a variety of moves. Seems to fit the taller type defensive lineman that Jeff Fisher likes. Absolutely dominated a couple highly touted beefy guards at the Senior Bowl. 33.5 TFL in his career, 4 blocked kicks, and 11 pass break up, because of his huge wingspan and awareness.
46 - Eddie Lacy, RB Alabama. Will be groomed to be the workhorse in a multi-back system for the Rams. Good balance, vision, and power. Needs to stay healthy, but a good all-around back to carry a heavy load. Runs tough with attitude. Remind you of anyone??
46 (alternate pick) Manti Teo, SLB Notre Dame. Teo's fake girlfriend and poor play in the National Championship game caused him to slip to us. Don't worry, we'll take some responsibility away from him, find him a REAL girlfriend, and just turn him loose on the strong side.
78 - Jonathan Cyprien, Bacarri Rambo, or Phillip Thomas. Cyprien is a tough kid from a smaller school who showed well against good competition at the Senior Bowl. He is a strong safety, but appears to have the athleticism est. 4.5 40 yd dash, and ball skills 4 int's his senior year, to be able to play both positions. Rambo is a playmaker who is very instinctual, and has excellent ball skills. I really like Thomas from Fresno State who's produced 20 turnovers in his 4 starting years.
110 - Tavarres King or Chris Harper WR's. The more that I see the wide receivers in this class, the more I like the depth and potential. I think one of these two guys will still be available and we could find a diamond here. Harper is a little more physical with slightly more height 6'1" compared to 6' and 230 lbs for Harper compared to 190 lbs. They will both run in the 4.4's.
142 - Nick Kasa, TE Colorado. At 6' 6" 270 lbs, a converted DE, who is still learning the position. A very good athlete, who is very strong. Very strong work ethic who will spend time after practice catching at least 100 balls. High upside, was productive at DE.
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16 - Sheldon Richardson, DT Missouri A physical freak. As a junior, he set career bests in 2012 with 75 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks. Richardson also had three forced fumbles, a blocked kick and a 60-yard fumble return. In a very short time, he would help make the Rams defensive line the very best in the NFL.
22 - Kenny Vaccaro, FS Texas Simply, the best free safety in an extremely strong class of safeties. He is a born leader, that oozes athleticism. Good size, sure tackler. Will be an immediate starter at the safety position.
46 - Markus Wheaton, WR Oregon St. All-time leader in receptions at the school. Very twitchy, very quick, great hands, smooth route runner. Great sideline awareness. Very fast straight line, but also changes directions effortlessly. He will run a low 4.4, reportedly the second fasted player at the Senior Bowl. Not the biggest guy(5' 11" 190 lbs), reminds me of Rev. Bruce. Over 90 catches for over 1200 yards his senior season.
78 - Sio Moore, OLB Connecticut. Sio Moore is a very good football player. You can line him up wherever you want and he will make a play for you. I would line him up at the SAM position and start him from day one. He is very adept at rushing the passer, which would be a bonus in blitzing situations. He shined at the Ea
110 - Chris Faulk, OT LSU. Faulk is a bit of a sleeper after missing the entire season with a knee injury, and the fact that he's only a junior, but his talent and size are undeniable. At 6' 6" 325 pounds, Faulk can be that powerful right tackle that we've been dreaming about, and he has the potential to be a starting left tackle with a little seasoning. Some think that he will fall farther, but his rare size and athleticism will get him picked around this spot.
142 - Michael Williams, TE Alabama. Massive tight end who is an extremely stout blocker. His hands are a little suspect, but he didn't get many opportunities at Alabama to make plays. During the game at the Senior Bowl, Williams made a nice catch in the middle of the field in traffic, using his big body to shield the ball from the secondary, and made a leaping touchdown catch in the end zone beating T.J. McDonald of USC.
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16 - Ezekial Ansah, DE BYU. Think JPP in terms of athleticism, but he's faster. Still learning the game with very little experience, but showed in the Senior Bowl that he's coachable, and that he can dominate, as he had many tackles, numerous pressures, a sack, and a forced fumble.
22 - Alec Ogletree, OLB Georgia. He'd probably go even higher, but he was suspended 4 games last season for failing a drug test. Very fast and instinctual. He racked up 11 tackles, with 11.5 for loss. Plug him in and play him. Would solidify our linebacking corp.
46 - D.J. Fluker, OT Alabama. A perfect right tackle prospect. I don't think he projects very well to the left tackle, and that's why he'd be available here. He's a better run blocker than a pass protector.
78 - Jordan Hill, DT Penn St. Another defensive line prospect that played well at the Senior Bowl. Hill flashed quite a few times and made tackles from his d-line position. He remonds me of our own J. Cudjo.
110 - D. J. Swearinger, FS Connecticut. A versatile(played both safety positions), dependable player, who is a good open field tackler that displays toughness.
142 - Conner Vernon, WR Duke. All-time pass receiver for Duke. Was productive even as a freshman with over 700 yards receiving, and just got better. He has good size at 6' 2", and is projected to run 4.5. He's very crafty in how he sets up the defensive backs. Reminds me a little of Ricky Proehl. Was seen talking to Les Snead at the Senior Bowl during practice.
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16 - Kenny Vacarro, FS Texas Simply, the best free safety in an extremely strong class of safeties. He is a born leader, that oozes athleticism. Good size, sure tackler. Will be an immediate starter at the safety position.
22 - Jonathan Hankins, DT Ohio State. A great big body that can stuff a gap or move in space. A very versatile tackle that can play three or four positions, as he did in college. Snead and Fisher love his size. I like the idea of having an absolutely dominating defensive front. Don't be surprised if the Rams grab a DT this talented if he's available.
46 - Datone Jones, DE/LB UCLA. The 6'4" 280 pound player may be a head scratcher to some here, but I love him. Datone recorded 19 tackles for loss his senior season. He has a non-stop motor, and I think he will prove at the combine that he has the skills to play some stand up backer, with one arm in the ground, or lining up on the inside on passing situations. He would only be picked if we let Hayes walk, but he will be better, and more versatile than Hayes. I expect Jones to run in the 4.7's which is quite a feat for a 280 pounder. Jones was the only player to beat Eric Fisher in the one on one drills at the Senior Bowl, and he did it in a variety of ways. Needs a little polish, but shiny already.
78 - Chris Faulk, OT LSU. Faulk is a bit of a sleeper after missing the entire season with a knee injury, and the fact that he's only a junior, but his talent and size are undeniable. At 6' 6" 325 pounds, Faulk can be that powerful right tackle that we've been dreaming about, and he has the potential to be a starting left tackle with a little seasoning. Some think that he will fall farther, but his rare size and athleticism will get him picked around this spot.
78 (alternate pick) Larry Warford, G Kentucky. Not very tall but extremely stout(340 pounds), Warford played his best against his top competition. He could be the guard that the Rams are looking for, and has the movement skills to excel in any system. On a goal line play at the Senior Bowl, Warford blocked down and decimated two very good defensive lineman to open up a huge hole.
110 -Travis Long, OLB WSU. A very good underrated player that can rush the passer. Runs very well for his size(6' 4" 245 lbs). Long has a great motor and is always around the ball. I see him as a SAM backer on the Rams, and he would be a very good value pick here. The Rams need to get better on the strong side.
142 - Mike Gillislee, RB Florida. Very productive, but for one year only = low mileage. Rushed for over a 1000 yards his senior season. He shows good burst and runs through holes. Looks like a natural at reading where the holes will be and gets the most out plays.
More to come. I'll edit this post. I have more commentary, and one more scenario, after I finish these.
Please feel free to comment. And let me know which one you like the best.
