[BigGame]

Though I hate to say it with our glaring need at tackle, I tend to agree with tx that drafting players for that position seems to be a more risky propostion than most positions.

Here is a list of DTs chosen in the top 45 picks over the past 4 years (I chose that number arbitrarily, with my belief that these picks represent players who are expected to be significant contributors):

Dewayne Robertson (4th, Jets), Johnathan Sullivan (6th, Saints), Kevin Williams (9th, Vikings), Jimmy Kennedy (12th, Rams), William Joseph (25th, Giants), Jon Stinchcomb (37th, Saints), Tommie Harris (14th, Bears), Vince Wilfork (21st, Pats), Marcus Tubbs (23rd, Seahawks), Igor Olshansky (35th, Chargers), Juniour Siavii (36th, Chiefs), Travis Johnson (16th, Texans), Luis Castillo (28th, Chargers), Mike Patterson (31st, Eagles), Shaun Cody (37th, Lions), Haloti Ngata (12th, Ravens), Brodrick Bunkley (14th, Eagles), John McCargo (26th, Bills)

Now, of course, there are some great young players on that list (Harris, Williams, Wilfork, Ngata). But it seems to me that there are more busts than booms (Robertson, Sullivan, Kennedy etc.). And this isn't even including the 2002 draft that made Ryan Sims, Wendell Bryant, and Albert Haynesworth Top 15 picks.

My point is that, not only do the Rams have a history of drafting bad at DT, other teams seem to as well. Also notice that when current DC Hasslet was at the helm in New Orleans for the 2003 draft, he made two rather large misjudgements, including inexcusably reaching for Sullivan at pick 6.

If you think that we are going to fill our desperate need with a difference maker via the draft, history says you're going to be disappointed.