Av's Draft Radar (Version 2.0)

With the combine done, here's my second effort on a Rams Draft Board for Rounds 1-3:

Round 1
1. Chris Long, DE, Virginia
Pros: Simply stated, he’s the surest bet at the Rams’ greatest need position. He’s got the right combination of size, speed, strength, pedigree, on-field performance and effort level.
Cons: Some within the Rams organization apparently feel he is not a pure pass rusher. Not sure why, given his speed (4.75) and sack total as a Senior, but that is the perception.

2. Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State
Pros: An amazing athlete, who could be the biggest impact player among defensive rookies in 2008. I could easily see him as a 10+ sack guy right away.
Cons: Some question his “motor” and somewhat uneven play at Ohio State.

3. Jake Long, OT, Michigan
Pros: His stock has risen following a good Combine. Wouldn’t be the most exciting pick, but an OL of Pace/Bell/Incognito/Long/Barron could be very effective, with Long ultimately moving to OT when Pace retires.
Cons: Can the Rams really afford not to address the DE spot until Round 2,

4. 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).

5. Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
Pros: Could be a game-changing, impact player from Day 1. Probably the top overall prospect in the draft.
Cons: This only makes sense if (1) Steven Jackson is traded, or (2) the Rams think that signing Jackson in 2009 will be cost-prohibitive.

Round 2
1. Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh
2. Carl Nicks, OT, Nebraska
3. Josh Barrett, SS, Arizona State
4. Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
5. Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC
6. Sam Baker, OT, USC
7. Jonathan Goff, ILB Vanderbilt
8. Tony Hills, OT, Texas
9. Tavares Gooden, OLB, Miami (FL)
10. Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware

Round 3
1. Donnie Avery, WR, Houston
2. Red Bryant, DT, Texas A&M
3. Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California
4. Josh Johnson, QB, San Diego
5. Andre Caldwell, WR, Florida
6. Heath Benedict, OT, Newberry
7. Bruce Davis, DE/OLB, UCLA
8. Frank Okam, DT, Texas
9. Justin King, CB, Penn State
10. Jordy Nelson, WR, Indiana

Nice job. There sure appears to be some potential stud picks for the Rams this year.

Re: MacFadden. If the Rams did take McFadden, a third possible outcome might be a trade of McFadden to a team that desperately needed a running back and wouldn't mind parting with a couple of proven position players where the Rams need help; though this scenario would be most risky and probably least likely of the three.

I still think Red Bryant is more of a Round 2 prospect. Perhaps it's just me.

He might go in the second round, but I would not take him with the 33rd overall pick in the draft.

If he is available when the Rams make their third round pick (#65) I'd consider him.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AvengerRam

3. Jake Long, OT, Michigan
Pros: His stock has risen following a good Combine. Wouldn’t be the most exciting pick, but an OL of Pace/Bell/Incognito/Long/Barron could be very effective, with Long ultimately moving to OT when Pace retires.
Cons: Can the Rams really afford not to address the DE spot until Round 2,

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If this happened we would have a very good OL and very good backups. I would rather see Long at RT and Barron at LG though. IMO it might help Barrons false starts and Long could be dominate at RT.

The OL I would prefer:
LT Pace 6'7 325 32yrs (might only have a couple years left in him)
LG Bell 6'4 295 27yrs
C Incognito 6'3 330 24yrs
RG Barron 6'7 315 25yrs
RT Long 6'7 313 22yrs

Backups with potential:
Setterstrom 6'4 314 24yrs
Romberg 6'2 298 28yrs
Fry 6'3 314 24yrs