Av's Rams Mock (Version 2.0)

Now that the underclassmen have declared, here is my updated mock:


Round 1: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
Previous Choice: Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss
Now that Smith has declared, he jumps to the top of my list. Questions and concerns have been raised a to whether he projects as an OT or OG. If its the latter, I could change to Eugene Monroe, Michael Oher or Aaron Curry.

Round 2: Alex Mack, C, California
Previous Choice: Herman Johnson, OG, LSU
I still like Johnson as a prospect, and he could be a good choice if the Rams go with Curry in Round 1, but right now I'd go with Mack, who is the top prospect at a real need position. Previously, I thought he'd be gone by the Rams' pick, but with the number of good underclassmen entering the draft, I'm now hopeful he will be there at pick #34.

Round 3: Scott McKillop, MLB, Pittsburgh
Previous Choice: Unchanged
Still like McKillop, a true "tackling machine" as a guy to plug in at MLB and allow Witherspoon to move to OLB. I think McKillop will play better than he tests at the combine, keeping him out of the first two rounds of the draft.

Round 4: Ron Brace, DT, Boston College
Previous Choice: Tom Brandstater, QB, Fresno State
I previously had Brace as the Rams' 5th round pick. I'm thinking he'll be gone by then. Truth be told, he could rise further and might be a guy the Rams would have to consider in Round 3. I think he could be the middle-clogging NT we need.

Round 5: Tom Brandstater, QB, Fresno State
Previous Choice, Ron Brace, DT, Boston College
Right now, the top of the 5th round may be realistic for Brandstater, who I still like. If he has a good Senior Bowl and workouts, he could be gone by this point.

Round 6: Ramses Barden, WR, Cal Poly
Previous Choice: Antone Smith, RB, FSU
I may be kidding myself, but I'm hoping that other teams might overlook Barden (hard to do, given he's 6'6 and scored 36 TDs in the past two seasons), a small school prospect who could be deadly in the Red Zone.

Round 7: Michael Thomas, WR/Return Specialist, Arizona
Previous Choice: Joe Burnett, CB, Central Florida
Thomas was a productive receiver at Arizona, but I particularly like his punt return skills (13.5 avg. and 2 TDs as a Senior). Another nice stat: in four years, he had over 300 touches on offense and no fumbles.

I doubt Brace or Barden will be available there they are both 2-3rd round prospects. I still think we need some secondary help though.

Good Mock Av. I'm curious about what you seen in Brandstater? Sure He has the size to play at the next level, but what makes him a "steal" ?

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Originally Posted by 39thebeast

I doubt Brace or Barden will be available there they are both 2-3rd round prospects. I still think we need some secondary help though.

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Brace could go as high as the 2nd round, or as late as the 5th, depending on how he tests.

Barden probably won't go quite as high as you think because his 40 time will likely be in the 4.6 range.

That said, there is a healthy dose of "hope" mixed in to this early mock. I suspect I'll be more realistic as we get closer to the draft.

As for the secondary, it depends. If we re-sign Atogwe and Bartell, and perhaps find a SS in FA, I think we'll be okay there.

I like it alot. Top heavy in building up the trenches.

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Originally Posted by eric2810

Good Mock Av. I'm curious about what you seen in Brandstater? Sure He has the size to play at the next level, but what makes him a "steal" ?

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I like his size, arm strength, experience and the style of offense he played in during his college career. He is not the kind of guy I'd expect to come in and challenge for a starting job right away, but he could be groomed for that role down the line.

No safety in the mix ? Is that because you think we can address it in FA or that none of the draftees will be around when we pick?

I think that safeties can be had in FA at a reasonable price.

James Butler from New York is a good SS free agent, and I'm sure Spags will try to bring him in.

I would be happy to go with either Mack or Johnson. Johnson can practically plug a whole side of our line by himself, considering that he is 6'7, and almost 360lbs.

I would love to get Ron Brace in the 4th round, as he will give us a TRUE NT.

I've always liked Mckillop, and if we don't get Curry, we should be aiming for Mckillop.

Ramses Barden would give us a much needed presence in the redzone with his size, considering that most of our receivers are average in height. With McMichael, Fells and Barden, we could give Bulger more weapons in the redzone. Plus, redzone targets would make the defense lay off Jackson a bit, who in turn and just bulldoze it in.


Good mock.

How about Considine from Philly? If The Eagles decide to re-up Dawkins at FS, they may not be able to keep Sean C. as a back up to Mikell who played pretty well this year from what I saw.

There's also the Philly connection with Spags, hence familiarity with the system and I think he's in the age range of BD's preference stated in that radio interview a while back for mid-level FAs in their late 20s to bolster the roster.

The skinny I gather from scouting reports when he was drafted is that the guy is smart, a good tackler in the box, decent speed but can struggle in coverage at times.

BTW, the Eagles have a very cool feature on their site that tells you about salary and related implications if a player is let go in any given year of their contract. Wish we had that.

Great mock, if this is how the draft falls out I would be a pretty happy guy.

I can't see Mack being there, but would be extremely happy to have him. No way Brace lasts that long.

Flip McKillip and Brace and I think the value might make more sense for both of them. Barring the unforeseen, I don't see Barden lasting to round six. He might be gone after the first day of the draft, really. Other than that, looks good.

I know alot of people are rooting for Curry, but McKillop is a good prospect as well. I really hope we land him in the draft.

As for Smith and Oher, alot of argument comes in. Does Smith fit at OT or OG? Thats my main concern...

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Originally Posted by Mooselini

I know alot of people are rooting for Curry, but McKillop is a good prospect as well. I really hope we land him in the draft.

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Honestly I don't think he's as good a pro prospect as some Rams fans have talked him up to be.