For a change, Rams don't have extra draft picks/AP

[RamBill]

For a change, Rams don't have extra draft picks
From AP

http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/for-a-change-rams-dont-have-extra-draft-picks-042815

ST. LOUIS (AP) After three years of extra picks from the Robert Griffin III deal with Washington, the St. Louis Rams have a smaller-than-usual amount.

The Rams have the 10th overall pick and six selections overall, five fewer than last season when the haul included five starters.

Defensive tackle Aaron Donald, the second of two first-round picks, was the NFC Defensive Rookie of the Year, and they also landed defensive back Lamarcus Joyner, offensive tackle Greg Robinson, running back Tre Mason and cornerback E.J. Gaines.

Gaines, a sixth-rounder out of Missouri, started 15 games.

In 2012, they had 10 picks and landed defensive tackle Michael Brockers, starting cornerbacks Janoris Jenkins and Trumaine Johnson and kicker Greg Zuerlein, then signed standout punter Johnny Hekker after the draft.

And in 2013, they finished with seven picks, but traded and ended up with first-rounders Tavon Austin and Alec Ogletree.

So, intrigue has been high.

''I've watched the draft every year since I knew what it was,'' said middle linebacker James Laurinaitis, a second-round pick in 2009 who led the team in tackles his first four seasons. ''I was a big fan every year except the year I was in it.''

This year, they have a pick in every round except the fifth, which went to Philadelphia in the deal that brought new quarterback Nick Foles in exchange for Sam Bradford.

They gave up a fourth- and sixth-rounder last year to get safety Mark Barron from Tampa Bay, and received a compensatory pick in the sixth round.

The Rams are no longer rebuilding for coach Jeff Fisher and general manager Les Snead, but they still have significant holes to fill before they can jump into contention in the rugged NFC West.

Things to watch for in the Rams draft:

OFFENSIVE LINE HELP: This is the area of most need, by far, with three vacancies, and LSU's La'el Collins could be the pick at No. 10. Tackle Jake Long and center Scott Wells were released due to a combination of injuries and age, and tackle Joe Barksdale remained a free agent. That can't be comforting for Foles. Injuries on the offensive line made it tougher for backups Shaun Hill and Austin Davis to get much done last season.

BACKUP QB: They waited far too long last year to take a possible successor to Bradford and ended up cutting sixth-rounder Garrett Gilbert in the preseason. Now they need one behind Foles. Case Keenum, released off the practice squad in midseason, was re-signed as the backup with Davis listed third.

LET'S MAKE A DEAL: The Rams have not been shy about trading, moving up eight spots to take Austin with the eighth pick two years ago and then trading a pair of seventh-rounders to select running back Zac Stacy in the fifth round. The speedy Austin has had his moments and Stacy just missed 1,000 yards as a rookie, although he didn't get much work behind Mason, a third-round pick last season.

''When you're at 10, there's a lot that can happen in front of you,'' Laurinaitis said. ''All it takes is one surprise pick and then somebody falls.

''There's a lot of drama now that they've broken it up like they have, and it seems like somebody always trades back in at the end of the first round. And after the round they recap and give you a grade already.''

DEFENSIVE LINE? There are five former first-rounders on the defensive line, but don't be surprised if Fisher opts for yet another edge rusher, even in the first round, for coordinator Gregg Williams to work with.

NO. 10 PICK: The previous player the Rams drafted with the 10th pick was Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis in 1993. Back in 1971, they selected six-time Pro Bowl linebacker Isiah Robertson. Last year the Lions had the 10th pick and took tight end Eric Ebron, who started seven games.

 

[RamBill]

Now that the foundation's laid for Thursday's draft, Rams can start fine-tuning
Elisabeth Meinecke
FOX Sports Midwest

http://www.foxsports.com/midwest/st...nfl-draft-plans-move-fine-tuning-stage-042815


ST. LOUIS -- According to Rams general manager Les Snead, the Rams' draft board is essentially set.

Sort of.

"Pretty much. Foundation is there," Snead hedged Tuesday. "You may nudge a guy half an inch or two on the board, but a lot of it is fine-tuning scenarios, best fits, all kinds of things."

Head coach Jeff Fisher said the Rams started the process a bit earlier than in the past.

"We've taken some quality time putting it together," he said. "There's still some things we need to look at, some minor adjustments we need to make, but it's there. And so I think at this point we're pretty much looking at the different scenarios."

The research the team has invested, as to be expected, was substantial.

"I asked our computer people last night -- you basically take every bit of information you've got, you put it on a page in a PDF, and you put in on a big screen, and you talk about that piece of information," Snead began. "I said, 'How many pages did we go through?' and they said, it's over 8,000 pages over the last three weeks of information."

Fisher complimented the draft class, calling it "loaded at some positions, specifically some positions that we need." Snead, however, declined to elaborate further on those positions during that part of the conversation.

Outside speculation has been more forthcoming. The Rams have plenty of room for newcomers on their offensive line, and their wide receiver corps may benefit from the addition of an Amari Cooper or a Kevin White, should those players be available at the 10th spot.

Later in the press conference, when asked directly, Snead acknowledged there were quality offensive lineman in this draft. He was also asked about the wide receiver class and described it as a "good crop."

"There's gonna be some (wide receivers) drafted in this first round, and even in the second round, and probably later that are gonna make plays," Snead said.

Until Thursday, however, it all remains speculation.