Av's Draft RADAR (25 Prospects to Watch!) Version 1.0

[AvengerRam]

In past years, I've prepared a draft board based upon a numerical rating system. However, this year, with the Rams drafting 2nd, that method would kind of be overkill. So, instead, I'm going to create a Draft Radar - My 25 Players to Watch for Day 1 of the Draft. The list will consist of 5 prospects for the Rams' Round 1 pick, and 10 each to watch for Rounds 2 and 3.

Here's my first effort:

Round 1
1. Chris Long, DE, Virginia
Pros: Fits one of the Rams' top needs as one of the top pass rushers in the draft. Also big enough to hold up against the run. High character and pedigree. Productive at major college level. Cons: Can't really think of any right now. That's why he's my top choice.

2. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
Pros: Many consider him to be the top defensive prospect in the draft. He was a monster at LSU, playing against the best teams in the nation. Cons: There is some concern about nagging injuries, but the biggest downside of Dorsey is that he simply is not a need-filler for the Rams, unless you think that DE is Carriker's best position (I don't).

3. Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
Pros: Could be the top pure pass rusher in the draft. I suspect he'll turn in a top 40 time for a 260+ lb. player and make scouts drool. Cons: More one-dimensional than C.Long, and his play was not as consistent. Is he worth the second pick in the draft?

4. Jake Long, OT, Michigan
Pros: Played at a top level in the Big 10 and is currently considered the best OL prospect in the draft. Could fill a need if Pace does not come back close to 100%. Cons: Some consider him to only be a RT prospect. Others feel he is overrated.

5. Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
Pros: Fast rising player who could overtake Jake Long as top OL prospect. Has great size, and is probably more nimble than Long. Cons: Right now, even suggesting Clady at the second spot probably sounds absurd. Still, the Rams could trade down and, even if they don't, its a long time until April.

Round 2
1. Calais Campbell, DE, Miami (FL)
2. Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
3. Carl Nicks, OT, Nebraska
4. Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware
5. Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
6. Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan
7. Tavares Gooden, OLB, Miami (FL)
8. Aquib Talib, CB, Kansas
9. Thomas DeCoud, S, California
10. Tony Hills, OT, Texas

Round 3
1. Josh Barrett, S, Arizona State
2. Red Bryant, DT, Texas A&M
3. Donnie Avery, WR/KR, Houston
4. Jerod Mayo, ILB, Tennessee
5. Roy Schuening, OG, Oregon State
6. Trae Williams, CB, South Florida
7. Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California
8. Jonathan Goff, ILB, Vanderbilt
9. Kevin Robinson, WR/KR, Utah State
10. Harry Douglas, WR, Louisville

[PossumBoy9]

I gave Sedrick Ellis to the Rams at #2 in my January 23rd mock. Chris Long went #1 overall.

STLtoday.com: Sports - Forums - Rams Talk - Topic - PossumMock 1.0

I wonder how Dorsey can be considered for you at #2 overall, but Ellis isn't. I'm not saying Ellis is necessarily better than Dorsey, but he has to be in the mix, IMO.

Red Bryant probably should be on your Rd. 2 list.

[AvengerRam]

I gave Sedrick Ellis to the Rams at #2 in my January 23rd mock. Chris Long went #1 overall.

STLtoday.com: Sports - Forums - Rams Talk - Topic - PossumMock 1.0

I wonder how Dorsey can be considered for you at #2 overall, but Ellis isn't. I'm not saying Ellis is necessarily better than Dorsey, but he has to be in the mix, IMO.

Ellis is a hot choice right now after his Senior Bowl performance, and he might creep into my Top 5 eventually. Right now, though, I really am not too keen on the idea of a DT as the Rams' first pick. Dorsey is the exception.

Red Bryant probably should be on your Rd. 2 list.

No way is he worth the #33 pick in the draft.

[PossumBoy9]

No way is he worth the #33 pick in the draft.

Bryant is the top NT prospect in this draft, IMO. I think he's gone by the mid-2nd for sure. The 3-4 teams should like him.

If the Rams plan on going to a 3-4, Bryant could be a good pick at #34....though there should be a bunch of good choices.

[mde8352gorams]

AV,

What do you think about Andre Caldwell WR from Florida? The reports from the Senior Bowl were pretty encouraging on his practices and I believe he scored the winning TD for the South in the closing minutes.

What thinks ye?

Go Rams:r

[AvengerRam]

I'm always a bit gun-shy about UF WRs. They've had quite a few who never lived up to their college rep. I think there are better options.

[bruce4life]

Lavelle hawkins is a monster... The rams would be smart to pick up this guy in the 3rd round. Nothing but production from this guy

[Bar-bq]

Lavelle hawkins is a monster... The rams would be smart to pick up this guy in the 3rd round. Nothing but production from this guy

I think he's elevated himself above round three status. I'd be thrilled to see him there, but I expect him to get taken by mid-late round 2 at this point in time. We are pre-combine, and anything can happen between now and April.

[RamJackson39]

I'm really high on Hawkins after seeing him in Mobile. The guy just looked natural out there and I think he could step into that slot position right away. Another guy I really like is Earl Bennet. The kid was a stud at Vanderbilt, and I think he could turn out being a steal in the third or fourth round

[drafttek]

Well originally I was huge into the idea of taking a DT if Chris Long wasn't available, then I heard that Jim Haslett wants to change the Rams D permanently to a 3-4 which means we need a strong DE, not a DT first. Also it makes pass rushing LB more important, a position Vernon Gholston could fill well.

In the 2nd round, let's hope we can either trade the #2 and still get Gholston, picking up another 2nd round pick to grab Dan Connor and maybe Sam Baker/Anthony Collins.

In the 3rd round, I think LaVelle Hawkins as he could take over for Isaac Bruce in the next few years and be taught by him until then.

[viper]

...then I heard that Jim Haslett wants to change the Rams D permanently to a 3-4 which means we need a strong DE, not a DT first.

I hadn't heard that yet. Can you provide a link? I think that is a significant piece of information as we approach FA and the draft.

[AvengerRam]

Based on the Combine, here are some RISERS and FALLERS who will, no doubt, move up/down (or off) the list when I do Version 2.0:

Round 1
1. Chris Long, DE, Virginia
Pros: Fits one of the Rams' top needs as one of the top pass rushers in the draft. Also big enough to hold up against the run. High character and pedigree. Productive at major college level. Cons: Can't really think of any right now. That's why he's my top choice.

2. Glenn Dorsey, DT, LSU
Pros: Many consider him to be the top defensive prospect in the draft. He was a monster at LSU, playing against the best teams in the nation. Cons: There is some concern about nagging injuries, but the biggest downside of Dorsey is that he simply is not a need-filler for the Rams, unless you think that DE is Carriker's best position (I don't).

3. Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
Pros: Could be the top pure pass rusher in the draft. I suspect he'll turn in a top 40 time for a 260+ lb. player and make scouts drool. Cons: More one-dimensional than C.Long, and his play was not as consistent. Is he worth the second pick in the draft?

4. Jake Long, OT, Michigan
Pros: Played at a top level in the Big 10 and is currently considered the best OL prospect in the draft. Could fill a need if Pace does not come back close to 100%. Cons: Some consider him to only be a RT prospect. Others feel he is overrated.

5. Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State
Pros: Fast rising player who could overtake Jake Long as top OL prospect. Has great size, and is probably more nimble than Long. Cons: Right now, even suggesting Clady at the second spot probably sounds absurd. Still, the Rams could trade down and, even if they don't, its a long time until April.

Round 2
1. Calais Campbell, DE, Miami (FL)
2. Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt
3. Carl Nicks, OT, Nebraska
4. Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware
5. Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
6. Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan
7. Tavares Gooden, OLB, Miami (FL)
8. Aquib Talib, CB, Kansas
9. Thomas DeCoud, S, California
10. Tony Hills, OT, Texas

Round 3
1. Josh Barrett, S, Arizona State
2. Red Bryant, DT, Texas A&M
3. Donnie Avery, WR/KR, Houston
4. Jerod Mayo, ILB, Tennessee
5. Roy Schuening, OG, Oregon State
6. Trae Williams, CB, South Florida
7. Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California
8. Jonathan Goff, ILB, Vanderbilt
9. Kevin Robinson, WR/KR, Utah State
10. Harry Douglas, WR, Louisville

[Brams66]

What about Flowers in round two. Bartell could shift over to Safety

[Wolf]

I'd really watch for Jason Shirley in the 5th to 6th round. A dominate 6'5 320 lbs. DT out of Fresno State who runs a 4.8-4.9 40 time.