I'm going to grade each pick individually:
Michael Brockers - A+. Not only did Fisher and Snead get the guy that they wanted at a position of need, but they also traded down from the number two overall pick to the fourteenth overall pick, which netted us two second rounders, two first round picks in the next two years, and a fifth round pick this year. That's not even counting the possibility of trading down over the next few years and getting even more picks.
With Brockers, you're getting a very talented defensive tackle who has a lot of room to grow. Some have compared him to Richard Seymour, but I see him more along the lines of a bigger Marcus Stroud. He graded out as one of the best run-stuffing tackles in this draft, and he has pass-rushing potential as well. You can't make a better value pick than that.
Brian Quick - B+. With first round-graded wide receivers like Stephen Hill and Rueben Randle on the board at the time, Quick will be forever linked to their careers. However, there is a lot to like about the big wideout. No, I'm not seeing Terrell Owens comparisons. I see him more along the lines of Brandon Marshall without the numerous problems that the latter has had: a tall, well-built wideout with great hands and the ability to break the tackles of cornerbacks and safeties with relative ease. However, he's much less polished than Randle and doesn't have the speed of Hill. If Quick reaches his potential, though, he will become a fine wideout for the Rams.
Janoris Jenkins - A-. Of course, you're going to have the character issues debate forever, but talent-wise, Jenkins was the best cornerback in this draft by far. Better than Claiborne. Better than Kirkpatrick. Better than Gilmore. Better than all of them. Jenkins has shut down the best of the best and has the physical skills and football intelligence to become a star cornerback in the NFL. Some have compared him to Revis, which should tell you everything you need to know about his talent. However, the thing that goes unnoticed is his talent in run-support. Jenkins is no mere cover corner; he's willing to be physical. Think Revis with a bit of Sheldon Brown mixed in.
Isaiah Pead - A-. Yes, some people are going to mention that LaMichael James was on the board at the time, but Pead is a better receiver and pass-protector and has not ever sustained an injury in his playing career. Not getting someone like Bobby Wagner or Mychal Kendricks could come back to haunt the Rams, but trading down for a fifth round pick isn't bad at all, especially after getting a true backup to Jackson. Pead's game is surprisingly diverse; he can run between the tackles, bounce to the outside, or catch a screen out of the backfield with equal ease. Think Lesean McCoy.
Trumaine Johnson - A+. I'll say this without any hesitation: Trumaine Johnson is the steal of the draft. He was considered a legitimate first round pick before his run-in with the law. Johnson was a dominant cornerback in college, but I think that he'll eventually be moved to free safety. He has stiff hips and has had problems going for the big hit instead of wrapping up, but his size, ball skills, and willingness in run-support are a lethal combination, especially if he's moved to safety. Think a lesser version of Nnamdi Asomugha. No, that is not a joke.
Chris Givens - B-. Givens is a talented prospect with a lot of questions. While his speed isn't mind-numbing, it's still pretty damn good. He has good hands, but they're not exactly great. He's a fantastic route-runner, but he gets jammed at the line of scrimmage more often than one would like. Givens has the potential to be an outside receiver and a fantastic number two compliment to Quick, but he has had two surgeries of his ACL and might only be a slot receiver in the NFL. If he does reach his fullest potential, though, think Jeremy Maclin - another speedy receiver who has also had two knee surgeries.
Rokevious Watkins - A. The fifth round pick that was picked up along with Pead, Watkins is a developmental guard who has a fairly good amount of potential. He's a large mauler at just under 340 lbs., but he has surprisingly quick feet for his size. He's adequate in space, but in order to play left guard, he may need to shed a few pounds and drop down to 325. He also struggles in pass-protection, but losing weight and learning under guys like Harvey Dahl and Scott Wells will help his cause. If he reaches his fullest potential, think a much lesser version of Jahri Evans.
Greg Zuerlein - B-. I always have reservations about drafting kickers above skill players, especially when said skill players have had numerous splash plays against tough opponents (Danny Trevathan). Kickers are guys you look at as seventh rounders and UDFAs. Now, Zu has a great amount of potential. If he reaches it, you'll be looking at...ah, forget it. I'm not going to make a comparison for Zu. If he reaches his full potential, I don't think I'll have seen a kicker like him in my lifetime. Still, I don't think that kicker was a need over outside linebacker. Just my opinion.
Aaron Brown - C+. Probably the only "bad" grade I'll give. I had never heard of Aaron Brown before he was drafted. Granted, he has fantastic splash plays, but I feel that there were better prospects that we could've had. Still, I felt the same way about Eugene Sims, so that should show how much I know. My comparison for Brown is another former Rainbow Warrior and Ram who happens to be one of my favorite players in the NFL: Pisa Tinoisamoa. Similar size, similar splash plays, similar history. If Brown has half the career that Tinoisamoa had, I'll be happy with the pick.
Daryl Richardson - B-. Richardson is a scatback with great hands. I don't think he'll see carries after Jackson and Pead, but he'll be a factor on special teams and as a receiver out of the backfield, which is more than you can hope for as a seventh round pick. Think Bernard Scott - who also happens to be Richardson's older brother.
Overall, this draft gets a solid B+. Like I said, this will either be the turning point of this franchise or it'll blow up in our faces. I'd very much prefer the former, so I'll be cheering for every one of these guys - and the undrafted free agents - to succeed.
