With the 112th pick of the 2011 Draft, the Rams take Greg Salas, WR, Hawaii

[Nick]

Height: 6011
Weight: 210
40 Yrd Dash: 4.53
20 Yrd Dash: 2.60
10 Yrd Dash: 1.56
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 15
Vertical Jump: 37
Broad Jump: 10'00"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.10
3-Cone Drill: 6.65


NFL Draft Scout:

Overview

Salas projects as a fourth- or fifth-round NFL talent on film, but could rise up draft boards rapidly if scouts become convinced that he can run NFL routes and beat press coverage. Otherwise, he looks to be a solid, sure-handed contributor from the slot with some playmaking ability after the catch.

Analysis

Positives: Tall receiver with long arms and muscular physique. Catches the ball away from his body regardless of whether he's facing the quarterback or being led to the ball. Nice concentration to look the ball into his hands before turning upfield. Fearless competitor who maintains balance through contact to snatch the ball away from defenders in a crowd. Adjusts his body in mid-air to get his hands around and secure catches on balls thrown errantly to his back shoulder or behind him. Can really turn the burners on after the catch, displaying a nice second gear to pull away from defenders giving chase. Sees the whole field when running with the football, directing and anticipating blocks. Physical after the catch and able to extend plays by dragging defenders and bouncing off would-be tacklers. Knack for finding holes in zone coverage.

Negatives: Mostly played from the slot in college, rarely facing press coverage. Doesn't possess a quick first step off the line, and takes a while to get up to top speed. Has the size and toughness to get physical with defenders and create space early in his routes, but seems to avoid contact and rely solely on his feet to separate. Telegraphs his routes by taking a long, delayed stride just before making a cut. Slows down into cuts, allowing defenders to recover and close on the ball. Questions as to whether or not he can effectively run assigned NFL routes, after being free to improvise quite a bit in Hawaii's hybrid Pistol/Run and Shoot offense.

Sideline Scouting:

Positives: Steady hands, reliable, catches the ball away from his body... Catches everything that he is supposed to... Solid route runner, cuts well at the top of the stem... Intelligent player, understands his routes and how to get separation despite not being the fastest player on the field... Good runner after the catch, creative in the open field and can make a big play out of nothing... Great body control, adjusts well to poorly thrown balls... Crazy production at Hawaii, accumulated 225 receptions for 3479 yards and 26 touchdowns over the past two years... Consistent performer, only had one game in 2010 with under 60 yards (against Boise State)... Fearless receiver, will work the middle of the field and is not afraid of getting hit.

Negatives: Below-average speed, doesn't have an explosive second gear... Has a difficult time gaining separation down the field... Physical corners have been a tough matchup for him, gets knocked off his routes when corners get their hands into his chest... Marginal run blocker, simply doesn't have the strength to push people around... Statistics may have been inflated due to playing in Hawaii's spread offense.

Sporting News:

Strengths: Salas is a tall receiver who plays taller than his measured size on film and combined with his jumping ability and hands, he has consistently shown the ability to make nearly impossible catches on high passes look almost routine. He has excellent natural hands and has consistently shown the ability to adjust to off-target passes anywhere. He shows no fear going across the middle, plucks the ball and holds onto it when he gets crushed right after the catch. He is a smart receiver who knows how to use his body to shield cornerbacks enough so that he can make catch a cornerback right on his back and uses his inside hand subtly to push-off cornerbacks to create just a little space in route. He is a strong and competitive runner after the catch and is tough to bring down and is able to pull tacklers for extra yards. While he is not a big-play punt returner, he has been Hawaii’s safety punt returner because he has such outstanding hands, gets started up the field quickly and runs strong and aggressively with the ball. He gives a good effort as a blocker, which makes me believe that he has the toughness to be a quality coverage man on kickoff coverage unit.

Weaknesses: Salas is really lacking when it comes to foot quicks, acceleration and speed. These are the things that will hinder his ability to get separation and make plays in the NFL. While he is a smooth and fluid athlete with excellent body control, coordination and hands, he lacks quickness off the ball and acceleration and does not have the speed to make big plays deep down the field. Even though he is often able to run through hits and gain yards after contact, he will not be as effective doing so in the NFL.

Bottom line: For whatever reasons, Salas has received the most hype as Hawaii’s best prospect this season, but in our view his lack of foot quicks, explosiveness and speed leave him third on Hawaii’s list of prospects. He had a chance to shine in Mobile and prove that he has the ability to consistently create separation vs. the best cornerbacks, but he struggled all week to get away from coverage—even safeties were able to stay with him deep. Overall, I do not think Salas can make it in the NFL as purely a receiver, but with his size, smarts and hands, he can compete for the spot as the last receiver.

National Football Post:

A long, well-put-together wideout who looks a lot more physically imposing than his frame would indicate. Isn't real explosive off the football and it takes him a bit to get into his routes. Isn't real shifty or sudden off the line, either, and works nearly exclusively out of the slot. Doesn't strike me as a guy who is ever going to consistently get off press on the outside at the next level. However, he does do a nice job being physical down the field and in and out of his breaks. Likes contact and possesses good strength and body control, knows how to knock corners off balance in tight areas and quickly change direction and separate underneath. Exhibits a real savvy to his game, knows how to set up routes, change speeds and use his big frame to gain a step and box corners from the football. Isn't a real explosive route runner, but showcases good body control and does a great job bringing his routes back toward the football on sharply breaking routes, limiting the angle for the cornerback to make a play on the throw.

Displays good ball skills and awareness down the field. Isn't a guy who will ever outrun anyone, but picks up speed as he goes, locates the football quickly and is fearless when asked to go up and make a play. Also, has some toughness to his game after the catch, works hard, gets up the field quickly and is a bit more shifty than given credit for.

Impression: A nice-sized wideout with good ball skills, body control and savvy as a route runner. Isn't ever going to be a legit starting caliber guy on the outside. But as a potential big slot guy who can work the middle and move the chains, the guy certainly has a good chance to make an NFL roster.

[lukebailey]

How many mediocre WRs do we need? I went into this draft thinking we would either get a franchise WR or stick with what we have. Not liking this.

Golly, we already have Amendola...

[Trevor]

Crappy pick..

[thermobee]

Im starting to get really confused here. Are they really THAT unhappy with what we have on the roster? I am starting to see a trend though. Big vertical possession wide receivers compared to the small speed guys we got on the roster. What I have a problem with is that this team still has a lot of needs, particularly at OG, OLD and both Safety positions. I hope they have plans to address them in FA.

[Drummerman1011]

Seems like we are drafting guys who can catch. McDaniels must have a plan by doing this then.

[lukebailey]

I was really hoping for a mean, nasty guard or OLB.

They have a plan though....

[rams_man13]

Ok, this is where I might start to get frustrated. Where's the beef?!?!?! OG? DT? OLB?

If you still feel like you need a play maker, you go back-up RB, not another WR... mannn, where are we going to put all these guys?

[berg8309]

I must admit I am scratching my head over this as well. Now granted we had severe injury problems at WR last year, but wow, two WRs to add to the stable with other needs still unfilled. I hope they are better than what we have. Perhaps the Rams don't intend to enter the WR sweepstakes and fill out the other needs at free agency.

[Nick]

If Pettis and Salas can be more reliable targets than Robinson and Gibson, then we've upgraded. Green and Jones were in all likelihood the only legit #1-type receivers in this draft. With them off the board quickly, you look at the guys who fit what you're looking for - big, dependable, fearless, smart - and hope they improve your unit as a whole. I wouldn't be shocked if Robinson, Gibson, and perhaps even Gilyard have trouble making the team this year, if Pettis and Salas prove themselves to be reliable targets who can move the chains and be a threat in the red zone.

[Fettmaster]

What the hell? Are they letting McDaniels make the picks this year?

[Ramendola16]

I'm beginning to think that perhaps McDaniels has worked his way into our draft room. I understood Kendricks and Pettis. But I really don't understand Salas. We have one of the better slot receivers in the NFL in Amendola. We don't need another. I can't see why they passed on some good talent to get what we already have...

[AvengerRam]

I think the Rams' Front Office's view of our WRs differs from that of the fans.

Donnie Avery: We think he'll be fine. Maybe the Front Office is worried.
Mark Clayton: We assume he'll be re-signed. Maybe the Front Office hasn't decided.
Danario Alexander: Some here really like him. Maybe the Front Office isn't as convinced.
Brandon Gibson: Some here think he's a player on the rise. Maybe the Front Office think he's peaked.
Laurent Robinson: Most here assume he's gone. Maybe the Front Office has already decided.
Mardy Gilyard: Some here think he'll come around. Maybe the Front Office disagrees.

and, finally...

Danny Amendola: Many here love the guy. Maybe the Front Office views him as a better "story" than he is a player.

Bottom line is that if the Rams are not able to land a Sidney Rice when FA finally starts, they have nine guys to compete for five or six active roster spots. Given that we had three WRs who had knee surgeries during the season last year, there's something to be said for depth.

[Goldenfleece]

It seems to me that McDaniels must really be emphasizing smart, tough and reliable guys over guys with any deep speed. After 3 consecutive picks to strengthen the passing game in ways the fans were not expecting, one can only assume that there is a method behind the madness.

The die is cast.

[eric2810]

The trend that we're going with this year is height, size, long arms with reliable hands, and production in our picks this year at WR. Don't mind it at all. Obviously it looks like we're not going to be bringing back some WR's from last year. With Sam's accuracy, he will be able to hit these guys easier. Was looking for us to pick a RB, OLB, or a guard, but if Devaney and Spags didn't think the value was there, then they might just address it later. What held us from scoring points and making the playoffs? Weapons for Sam, and it looks like we're making our best effort to do so.

[AvengerRam]

For those saying "but we already have Amendola," compare his size to Salas' height/weight.