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By ESPN Insider staff | ESPN Insider
<a class="postlink" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2013/story/_/id/9143743/2013-nfl-draft-st-louis-rams-draft-guide" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft201 ... raft-guide</a>
Insider's NFL and draft experts have teamed up to give a full breakdown of all that should be considered for each team as it enters the 2013 NFL draft. Here we look at the St. Louis Rams.
Personnel needs
S, WR, OL, OLB
Major need: The safety position gave up a lot of big plays between the hashes in 2012, and now both starters are gone. The Rams' interior pass defense is short on both talent and depth. As of now, the starters (Darian Stewart, Rodney McLeod) may be holdovers, but neither player will upgrade a position that has been ignored in free agency and must be addressed in the draft.
Quiet need: At first glance, this WR unit looks really thin and weak, but these coaches seem to have faith in their young developmental players. Their best player, Danny Amendola, is gone (along with Brandon Gibson), but they seem to have faith in youngsters Brian Quick, Chris Givins and Austin Pettis. St. Louis will have a safe passing game that will rely on yards-after-catch for positive plays.
Not a need: Even with the loss of RB Steven Jackson to Atlanta, this organization feels good about its running back situation. Daryl Richardson and Isaiah Pead got quality playing time a year ago, and they seem ready to step in and give the Rams a solid one-two punch (along with developmental prospect Terrence Gannaway). However, they need a little more explosiveness out of this position.
Depth chart
Jobs in jeopardy: The safety positions could be a revolving door in 2013, as they look for the inside production to match their improving corners on the outside. They will also look to upgrade the strongside linebacker position on defense, even if Rocky McIntosh returns on a one-year deal. A solid starter would solidify this front seven.
Don't mess with it: While they could add a little bulk and power to their interior defensive line, the Rams' defensive front seven pass rush is the strength of this football team, as evidenced by the unit's 52 sacks in 2012 (39 of those came from the D-line). Not only is the D-line filled with good pass-rushers, but this group has depth and youth -- and it will only get better.
What free agency solved
The biggest splash that they made in free agency was signing LT Jake Long, who will solidify a unit that had nine different offensive linemen start at 11 different positions in 2012. Finally, QB Sam Bradford may get solid edge protection. New TE Jared Cook could be a huge upgrade and a safety blanket in the passing game for Bradford. But where is the safety help that is so badly needed?
-- Gary Horton
How they draft
Where they draft well: Talent is piling up. The Rams made the best of a difficult situation when they dealt the No. 2 overall pick that would become Robert Griffin III in last year's draft. But they will have a roster that could be extremely talented (and cheap!) in the coming seasons, and much of that starts up front on the defensive side of the ball. With Chris Long, Michael Brockers and Robert Quinn up front -- all first-round picks expect the Rams' pass rush to take another step forward in 2013. With six total first- and second-round picks between the 2013 and 2014 drafts, Jeff Fisher's team is about to become really deep.
Where they don't draft well: Cook at least creates matchup problems for defenses, but the Rams are relying on the emergence of a yet-unproven group of receivers in 2013, and should be required by Missouri law to draft a wide receiver with one of their two 2013 first-round picks. The franchise hasn't drafted an impactful wide receiver since Torry Holt in 1999, unless you're a big Donnie Avery fan, in which case I apologize. That said, while many fret over the state of the receiving corps, look for the Rams to keep Lance Kendricks and Cook on the field at the same time often in 2013 -- everybody say "Ace personnel" -- creating some headaches for opposing linebackers and safeties.
-- Chris Sprow
Best fits
Todd McShay provides three great fits for the Rams' first-round pick at No. 16.
Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee: His inexperience makes Patterson a boom-or-bust prospect, but if he pans out, he would finally give Bradford a downfield weapon who could open up the offense.
Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas: Vaccaro is a very good overall player who would offer the Rams a huge upgrade at a position of significant need.
Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama: If the Rams don't feel they can get good value here and look to trade back, Lacy could be a good fit later in Round 1 as a replacement for Jackson.
-- Todd McShay
It's a successful draft if …
What they must accomplish: They must feel they've done everything possible to maximize the chance that Bradford has a breakout season. I know safety is a big need, but the draft is loaded with safeties, and the Rams have good corners and a good pass rush. They don't have to take a safety early in order to protect that defense. What they can't do is again walk away from a draft without the certainty they've done what they can to outfit Bradford with an adequate supply of pass-catching options and, depending on what they feel about the O-line, protection. At a certain point, it's a financial decision. They still have so much wrapped up in the hope of Bradford as a star.
Additional goals: Obviosuly, safety is still a need. And given their two first-round picks, if the board sets up properly, they'll have a chance to get a good one. Running backs can be found well into the third day, but the Rams should add a back with some ability to be reliable in short-yardage situations. Guard is a need they can address into Day 3, and they should also be looking for value at outside linebacker, a revolving door in recent years.
-- Mel Kiper
<a class="postlink" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2013/story/_/id/9143743/2013-nfl-draft-st-louis-rams-draft-guide" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft201 ... raft-guide</a>
Insider's NFL and draft experts have teamed up to give a full breakdown of all that should be considered for each team as it enters the 2013 NFL draft. Here we look at the St. Louis Rams.
Personnel needs
S, WR, OL, OLB
Major need: The safety position gave up a lot of big plays between the hashes in 2012, and now both starters are gone. The Rams' interior pass defense is short on both talent and depth. As of now, the starters (Darian Stewart, Rodney McLeod) may be holdovers, but neither player will upgrade a position that has been ignored in free agency and must be addressed in the draft.
Quiet need: At first glance, this WR unit looks really thin and weak, but these coaches seem to have faith in their young developmental players. Their best player, Danny Amendola, is gone (along with Brandon Gibson), but they seem to have faith in youngsters Brian Quick, Chris Givins and Austin Pettis. St. Louis will have a safe passing game that will rely on yards-after-catch for positive plays.
Not a need: Even with the loss of RB Steven Jackson to Atlanta, this organization feels good about its running back situation. Daryl Richardson and Isaiah Pead got quality playing time a year ago, and they seem ready to step in and give the Rams a solid one-two punch (along with developmental prospect Terrence Gannaway). However, they need a little more explosiveness out of this position.
Depth chart
Jobs in jeopardy: The safety positions could be a revolving door in 2013, as they look for the inside production to match their improving corners on the outside. They will also look to upgrade the strongside linebacker position on defense, even if Rocky McIntosh returns on a one-year deal. A solid starter would solidify this front seven.
Don't mess with it: While they could add a little bulk and power to their interior defensive line, the Rams' defensive front seven pass rush is the strength of this football team, as evidenced by the unit's 52 sacks in 2012 (39 of those came from the D-line). Not only is the D-line filled with good pass-rushers, but this group has depth and youth -- and it will only get better.
What free agency solved
The biggest splash that they made in free agency was signing LT Jake Long, who will solidify a unit that had nine different offensive linemen start at 11 different positions in 2012. Finally, QB Sam Bradford may get solid edge protection. New TE Jared Cook could be a huge upgrade and a safety blanket in the passing game for Bradford. But where is the safety help that is so badly needed?
-- Gary Horton
How they draft
Where they draft well: Talent is piling up. The Rams made the best of a difficult situation when they dealt the No. 2 overall pick that would become Robert Griffin III in last year's draft. But they will have a roster that could be extremely talented (and cheap!) in the coming seasons, and much of that starts up front on the defensive side of the ball. With Chris Long, Michael Brockers and Robert Quinn up front -- all first-round picks expect the Rams' pass rush to take another step forward in 2013. With six total first- and second-round picks between the 2013 and 2014 drafts, Jeff Fisher's team is about to become really deep.
Where they don't draft well: Cook at least creates matchup problems for defenses, but the Rams are relying on the emergence of a yet-unproven group of receivers in 2013, and should be required by Missouri law to draft a wide receiver with one of their two 2013 first-round picks. The franchise hasn't drafted an impactful wide receiver since Torry Holt in 1999, unless you're a big Donnie Avery fan, in which case I apologize. That said, while many fret over the state of the receiving corps, look for the Rams to keep Lance Kendricks and Cook on the field at the same time often in 2013 -- everybody say "Ace personnel" -- creating some headaches for opposing linebackers and safeties.
-- Chris Sprow
Best fits
Todd McShay provides three great fits for the Rams' first-round pick at No. 16.
Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Tennessee: His inexperience makes Patterson a boom-or-bust prospect, but if he pans out, he would finally give Bradford a downfield weapon who could open up the offense.
Kenny Vaccaro, S, Texas: Vaccaro is a very good overall player who would offer the Rams a huge upgrade at a position of significant need.
Eddie Lacy, RB, Alabama: If the Rams don't feel they can get good value here and look to trade back, Lacy could be a good fit later in Round 1 as a replacement for Jackson.
-- Todd McShay
It's a successful draft if …
What they must accomplish: They must feel they've done everything possible to maximize the chance that Bradford has a breakout season. I know safety is a big need, but the draft is loaded with safeties, and the Rams have good corners and a good pass rush. They don't have to take a safety early in order to protect that defense. What they can't do is again walk away from a draft without the certainty they've done what they can to outfit Bradford with an adequate supply of pass-catching options and, depending on what they feel about the O-line, protection. At a certain point, it's a financial decision. They still have so much wrapped up in the hope of Bradford as a star.
Additional goals: Obviosuly, safety is still a need. And given their two first-round picks, if the board sets up properly, they'll have a chance to get a good one. Running backs can be found well into the third day, but the Rams should add a back with some ability to be reliable in short-yardage situations. Guard is a need they can address into Day 3, and they should also be looking for value at outside linebacker, a revolving door in recent years.
-- Mel Kiper
