With the 65th pick of the NFL Draft, the Rams take Jerome Murphy, CB, USF

[Nick]

Rams adding to their secondary, discuss!

[Richbert88]

Another solid player at a position of need.

[tomahawk247]

Im not sure on this with Griffen and Wootten on the board at DE

[LA_Rams]

We neeeeed CBs. This guy fits Spags mould of a rough, hard hitting CB.

[Varg6]

I have no idea if this guy is good, Nick can you give us your insight?

[C-Mob 71]

Looks like a big, hard hitting corner.

In other words, exact opposite of Tye Hill

[stl7]

He better turn out because Griffen is on the board.

[TheBritishRam]

Hmmm, I think DE and TE are bigger needs with good players still on the board, i was hoping for Griffen.

[LA_Rams]

How many teams need TEs? We might get one in the 4th

[eric2810]

Yeah I'm still left wondering why we selected this player. I was feeling Griffen as well.

[BarronWade]

something on this guy he set the record at South Florida for games played so he is very durable which is good we need to stay healthy.

He is big, hits hard, Very good Ball skills.

But is not a 4 pillar player so idk how he was on the board

Edit: the reason we picked him is because since he is a Spags type CB he was high on our board. And we are just taking the top player on our board at this point

[Ramblin` Ram]

i`m cool with this pick..he was projected to go higher..Spags is well known for how he utilizes D-linemen..but i think when it comes to coaching up players DB`s are his fortay..Bartell,Fletcher,Murphy,Dockery,King,Atogwe,Butler & Dahl...i think that has the makings of a pretty good secondary for the future..and one that can sustain the odd injury here and there ,if they should happen.

it`s not what i was expecting as had my mind on players at other positions..but a good solid pick nonetheless..the type of pick that good teams make..and often.

[thoey]

From NFL.COM:

Jerome Murphy (CB)

Height: 6'0"
Weight: 196 lbs.
Arm Length: 32 1/4 in.
Hand Size: 9 in.

College: South Florida
Conference: Big East

Selected by: St. Louis Rams
Round: 3
Pick (Overall): 1 (65)

Combine Stats:
Broad Jump: 127.0 inches
20 Yd Shuttle: 4.05 secs

Overview

Murphy was a productive two-year starter for the Bulls. He is a tall, lean secondary defender with deceptive strength. He is a tough hardnosed perimeter defender who lacks great quickness and speed to play out on an island in man coverages. Murphy is a physical corner who can jam and reroute receivers off the line of scrimmage and he's a solid run support defender. He is an instinctive player who leverages the ball well in coverage as well as maintaining proper body positioning defending the run. He can be inconsistent in block protection and wrapping up in the open field, but he is very aggressive for the cornerback position. Murphy is a good football player who has some limitations but should contribute as a rookie in a Cover 2 defensive scheme.

Strengths

Long with adequate bulk and fluid hips. Anticipates routes while dropping back in zone coverage and does a good job of tracking the play. Good leaper who high-points the ball. Fiery and aggressive defender who fills hard and likes to deliver shots.

Weaknesses
Average speed and lateral quickness limit his effectiveness in man coverage. Footwork is a little sloppy, and he sometimes gets spun around. Gives too much of a cushion and breaks on the ball a little late. Bit of a gambler who can get caught out of position. Does not always wrap when tackling.

Grade

7.7

[Nick]

I have no idea if this guy is good, Nick can you give us your insight?

I'm not a huge fan of the pick, but I understand the decision to go corner and I think he was good value there, could have gone in the second, and a couple corners came off the board right after him.

When you're facing Fitzgerald/Breaston/Doucet, Crabtree/Morgan/Ginn, and Housh/Tate/Branch twice a year each, that nickel corner is going to get a lot of work. I would imagine they feel between Fletcher and Murphy, they'll have at least one guy who can start next to Bartell and one who can man the nickel.

That said, after addressing arguably the biggest team need in quarterback in round one, needs like receiver, tight end, defensive line, and linebacker have gone untouched. Getting a bit interesting, but you've got to stay true to your board, and Murphy IMO was a good value pick in the third.

[Ramblin` Ram]

one thing to add is that the Rams have had the South Florida coach helping them with the draft in some capacity,if i recall correctly..

and Billy D hinted that we would be taking a prospect from florida in the pre-draft chat..