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Plenty of options for the Rams, but drafting a quarterback remains most intriguing
By Luke Thompson
FOX Sports Midwest
http://www.foxsports.com/midwest/st...-drafting-a-qb-remains-most-intriguing-021615
ST. LOUIS -- The Rams have many needs to address, but it's the potential quarterback quandary that looks most interesting as the 2015 NFL Draft creeps closer.
Coach Jeff Fisher and new offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti recently reinforced their faith in Sam Bradford, who still appears to be on track to return as the starter for the final year of his contract. But that doesn't mean they're not dedicated to finding a more reliable backup in case Bradford regresses or suffers a season-ending injury for the third straight year.
Unfortunately for St. Louis, quality options may be hard to find in a class NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock says is especially thin at quarterback and safety. He also called quarterback the toughest position to evaluate by far, particularly with the proliferation of spread offenses in the college game.
"When you watch them in the frame of their offense, they've got a long way to go to become pocket quarterbacks," he said in a conference call Monday afternoon. "You want to say they're going to need a redshirt year. What they really need are live snaps as opposed to the seven-on-seven in practice."
General manager Les Snead shared similar sentiments with reporters last month, noting the difficulties of learning "a different language." But despite those issues, the Rams should still take serious looks at quarterbacks such as UCLA's Brett Hundley and Baylor's Bryce Petty at this week's NFL Scouting Combine.
Those two are generally regarded as the top two prospects after Florida State's Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, both of whom figure to be gone before St. Louis makes the 10th overall pick. Ourlads general manager and national scout Dan Shonka says even if Mariota falls to the Rams, they may be better served trying to make a trade with Philadelphia, which is a much better fit for Mariota thanks to former Oregon coach Chip Kelly.
St. Louis could use its first-round pick to fill an immediate need on the offensive line depending on how free agency shakes out. Greg Robinson will play left tackle moving forward, but right tackle Joe Barksdale will be an unrestricted free agent and it's still unclear whether veteran left tackle Jake Long will return from his season-ending ACL surgery.
Shonka says standout offensive linemen are hard to find this year, but several decent options should be available. Mayock likes Miami tackle Ereck Flowers, and Stanford's Andrus Peat, Texas A&M's Cedric Ogbuehi and Iowa's Brandon Scherff are all first-round possibilities.
Although Shonka joins a long list of analysts to point out the Rams need to first find a way to get more out of former No. 8 overall pick Tavon Austin, another receiver could also be a potential target. Mayock says this year's class has some quality talent, and Shonka notes West Virginia's 6-foot-3 wideout Kevin White could provide a different look, especially if free agent Kenny Britt doesn't re-sign with St. Louis.
"I think there are reasons in today's NFL why rookie wide receivers can come in and play well early," Mayock said. "These kids have been used to catching the ball forever.
"Everything is a pass-first league now. Number two, with the emphasis on the five-yard rule, the smaller wideouts are getting off press coverage. Finally, the big-bodied wideouts, they don't really have to be route runners. With the advent of the back shoulder throw, they can be productive Day One."
He sees three consensus top 20 picks in White, Alabama's Amari Cooper and Louisville's DeVante Parker. Beyond that, the Rams or anyone else would be taking on a lot more risk at the position.
Unlike past seasons, they'll have less room for error with an NFL-low five picks, not including any compensatory selections. A midseason trade to Tampa Bay for safety Mark Barron gave away St. Louis' fourth- and sixth-round picks, though of course another trade to gain more could be a possibility.
Based on the Rams' recent history with Fisher and Snead, all options are on the table.
By Luke Thompson
FOX Sports Midwest
http://www.foxsports.com/midwest/st...-drafting-a-qb-remains-most-intriguing-021615
ST. LOUIS -- The Rams have many needs to address, but it's the potential quarterback quandary that looks most interesting as the 2015 NFL Draft creeps closer.
Coach Jeff Fisher and new offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti recently reinforced their faith in Sam Bradford, who still appears to be on track to return as the starter for the final year of his contract. But that doesn't mean they're not dedicated to finding a more reliable backup in case Bradford regresses or suffers a season-ending injury for the third straight year.
Unfortunately for St. Louis, quality options may be hard to find in a class NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock says is especially thin at quarterback and safety. He also called quarterback the toughest position to evaluate by far, particularly with the proliferation of spread offenses in the college game.
"When you watch them in the frame of their offense, they've got a long way to go to become pocket quarterbacks," he said in a conference call Monday afternoon. "You want to say they're going to need a redshirt year. What they really need are live snaps as opposed to the seven-on-seven in practice."
General manager Les Snead shared similar sentiments with reporters last month, noting the difficulties of learning "a different language." But despite those issues, the Rams should still take serious looks at quarterbacks such as UCLA's Brett Hundley and Baylor's Bryce Petty at this week's NFL Scouting Combine.
Those two are generally regarded as the top two prospects after Florida State's Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, both of whom figure to be gone before St. Louis makes the 10th overall pick. Ourlads general manager and national scout Dan Shonka says even if Mariota falls to the Rams, they may be better served trying to make a trade with Philadelphia, which is a much better fit for Mariota thanks to former Oregon coach Chip Kelly.
St. Louis could use its first-round pick to fill an immediate need on the offensive line depending on how free agency shakes out. Greg Robinson will play left tackle moving forward, but right tackle Joe Barksdale will be an unrestricted free agent and it's still unclear whether veteran left tackle Jake Long will return from his season-ending ACL surgery.
Shonka says standout offensive linemen are hard to find this year, but several decent options should be available. Mayock likes Miami tackle Ereck Flowers, and Stanford's Andrus Peat, Texas A&M's Cedric Ogbuehi and Iowa's Brandon Scherff are all first-round possibilities.
Although Shonka joins a long list of analysts to point out the Rams need to first find a way to get more out of former No. 8 overall pick Tavon Austin, another receiver could also be a potential target. Mayock says this year's class has some quality talent, and Shonka notes West Virginia's 6-foot-3 wideout Kevin White could provide a different look, especially if free agent Kenny Britt doesn't re-sign with St. Louis.
"I think there are reasons in today's NFL why rookie wide receivers can come in and play well early," Mayock said. "These kids have been used to catching the ball forever.
"Everything is a pass-first league now. Number two, with the emphasis on the five-yard rule, the smaller wideouts are getting off press coverage. Finally, the big-bodied wideouts, they don't really have to be route runners. With the advent of the back shoulder throw, they can be productive Day One."
He sees three consensus top 20 picks in White, Alabama's Amari Cooper and Louisville's DeVante Parker. Beyond that, the Rams or anyone else would be taking on a lot more risk at the position.
Unlike past seasons, they'll have less room for error with an NFL-low five picks, not including any compensatory selections. A midseason trade to Tampa Bay for safety Mark Barron gave away St. Louis' fourth- and sixth-round picks, though of course another trade to gain more could be a possibility.
Based on the Rams' recent history with Fisher and Snead, all options are on the table.