Av's Rams Mock (Version 3.0) Post-Senior Bowl

[AvengerRam]

My latest version:

Round 1: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
Previous Choice: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
I may be just about the only person with Raji this high, but I think he belongs here. The Rams have invested two first round picks on Long and Carriker, and Raji could be the guy who lets them reach their potential by tying up two blockers on a regular basis. Until concerns over Smith's ability to play OT are addressed, I think Raji's the guy.

Round 2: William Beatty, OT, Conneticutt
Previous Choice: Alex Mack, C, California
Mack, I fear, will be gone by the end of the first round. With the Rams taking Raji in Round 1, an OT will be essential here. Beatty had a great Senior Bowl week, and really looks like a guy who could help the team soon.

Round 3: Jonathan Luigs, C, Arkansas
Previous Choice: Scott McKillop, MLB, Pittsburgh
Luigs could go higher, but remember that the Rams pick at the top of the round. Luigs would bring good size to the interior line (314 lbs) and has a great deal of experience against top competition in the SEC.

Round 4: Rhett Bomar, QB, Sam Houston State
Previous Choice: Ron Brace, DT, Boston College
Don't like this pick? Frankly, I don't give a damn! Okay, all kidding aside, I think Bomar has all the tools and could emerge as a starter down the road. The Rams really need someone like that on the roster

Round 5: Michael Thomas, WR/Return Specialist, Arizona
Previous Choice: Tom Brandstater, QB, Fresno State
Thomas is a climber who could move up further when he's timed in the 40. Not a prototypical West-Coast WR, but I like his quickness and playmaking abilities in the return game. A poor man's DeShaun Jackson for the Rams new OC, perhaps.

Round 6: Quinn Johnson, FB, LSU
Previous Choice: Ramses Barden, WR, Cal Poly
Barden will be taken too high for the Rams to get him here, so I've moved in another direction. Johnson would make Steven Jackson a very happy camper, and could help Rams fans finally get over Madison Hedgecock.

Round 7: Daniel Holtzclaw, MLB, Eastern Michigan
Previous Choice: Michael Thomas, WR/Return Specialist, Arizona
Big (246 lbs) and productive (4 consecutive years w/over 100 tackles). Almost certainly a two-down player, but the Rams need guys who can fill the gaps and make tackles.

[HUbison]

You're gonna catch a lot of heck over this one, but I like it.

[Bald_81]

I have no problem with Raji, but only if it's a trade down with the Raiders or Jags. In doing so, we prevent our rivals the Squawks from getting Crabtree, pick up extra draft picks and still pick up a quality player. J. Smith, Oher, Raji, or BPA at that pick and I'm satisfied. But again, at #2? No.

[txramsfan]

I could be happy with Raji or Orakpo or Jenkins that high. Wouldn't bother me. Bomar brings a little spice to the team. Wonder if he could get me a good deal on a Ford Mustang? Oh that's right, he just sortof worked at the car dealership in Norman.

[jbell15]

just some thoughts
our d-line is not our top priority, by a long shot, and we must use that first pick to get a good o-lineman. Be it with the two pick, or trading down and getting someone later in round one.
Beatty was not as impressive to me as everyone said he was, he looks very slow.
mike thomas is 5'8.......5'8!!!!
we already have a receiver under 6" we don't need another one
bomar won't be there in the fourth
luigs, johnson, and holtzclaw are very good picks, but i think we need a MLB before the seventh.

[LARAM]

I'm with Bald 81.....I could settle with this as well..... Crabtree has to be taken out of the picture if we don't pick him. We can't take the chance of ***** or the Squawks getting this guy. When it comes down to it, I would even consider an even trade down with any team picking after the *****, as long as they pick Crabtree (just kidding). Now I'm sure something could be worked out so that we benefit from a trade, but the important factor here is: Keep Crabtree out of the NFC West unless he's a Ram. If he falls to anyone in the NFC West we might regret it for a long time.

However, If ***** or Squawks wanted Crabtree, I would say a Ricky Williams type trade, plus picks next year would sway me to trade with them.

What is the difference in a rookie salary, when considering a #2 pick vs. #11 or #12.......should be something like 20 or 30 million if I'm not mistaken.

[Goldenfleece]

I don't have a strong opinion for or against B.J., but I would be surprised if the team opted to take a defensive lineman in the first round for the third time in as many years. Luigs would be a nice pickup at the top of the third.

But Bomar? He seems like the kind of guy who could respond "I don't give a damn" to lots of questions like...Rhett, why didn't you show up for work on Monday? Rhett, why weren't you more careful after the first time you got arrested for minor possession of alcohol? Hey, Rhett, knowing that you had already gotten busted once for under-age drinking just months before, wasn't it a bad idea to openly pour yourself drinks out of a friend's cup in front of the cops at a basketball game?

[txramsfan]

Like I said, Rhett could bring some much needed spice to a boring team. Let's face it, this Rams team is vanilla and boring. Not saying Rhett is a good pick, but boy would he be interesting.

[jmk321]

I don't have a strong opinion for or against B.J., but I would be surprised if the team opted to take a defensive lineman in the first round for the third time in as many years. Luigs would be a nice pickup at the top of the third.

But Bomar? He seems like the kind of guy who could respond "I don't give a damn" to lots of questions like...Rhett, why didn't you show up for work on Monday? Rhett, why weren't you more careful after the first time you got arrested for minor possession of alcohol? Hey, Rhett, knowing that you had already gotten busted once for under-age drinking just months before, wasn't it a bad idea to openly pour yourself drinks out of a friend's cup in front of the cops at a basketball game?

I know. A kid in college drinking. Who ever heard of such a thing.

None of the off field issues he had in college were that big of a deal and I doubt that he would be a problem for a team. I don't think he would be a good pick for the Rams but because he isn't what the Rams need right now and he doesn't have what it takes to be a good NFL qb. Not because of off field issues.

[AvengerRam]

Bomar's past needs to be considered, no doubt, but I'm not ready to condemn him yet.

Drank alcohol as a minor? Um.... not sure I'm in a position to criticize that (though if I was within 4 years of making millions of dollars, perhaps I'd exercise more discretion).

Paid for "working" at car dealership? Pretty sleazy, yes, but again, I don't know that you condemn him for that either.

If I were interviewing him, I'd ask him about these incidents and then watch his face when he responds. If he shows regret and is contrite, I'm willing to take a chance (in my mock, we're talking about a 4th rounder, after all) if his physical tools measure up. If he's cocky, dismissive or defensive about these matters, maybe I take a pass.

[RAMarkable]

My latest version:

Round 1: B.J. Raji, DT, Boston College
Previous Choice: Andre Smith, OT, Alabama
I may be just about the only person with Raji this high, but I think he belongs here. The Rams have invested two first round picks on Long and Carriker, and Raji could be the guy who lets them reach their potential by tying up two blockers on a regular basis. Until concerns over Smith's ability to play OT are addressed, I think Raji's the guy.

Round 2: William Beatty, OT, Conneticutt
Previous Choice: Alex Mack, C, California
Mack, I fear, will be gone by the end of the first round. With the Rams taking Raji in Round 1, an OT will be essential here. Beatty had a great Senior Bowl week, and really looks like a guy who could help the team soon.

Round 3: Jonathan Luigs, C, Arkansas
Previous Choice: Scott McKillop, MLB, Pittsburgh
Luigs could go higher, but remember that the Rams pick at the top of the round. Luigs would bring good size to the interior line (314 lbs) and has a great deal of experience against top competition in the SEC.

Round 4: Rhett Bomar, QB, Sam Houston State
Previous Choice: Ron Brace, DT, Boston College
Don't like this pick? Frankly, I don't give a damn! Okay, all kidding aside, I think Bomar has all the tools and could emerge as a starter down the road. The Rams really need someone like that on the roster

Round 5: Michael Thomas, WR/Return Specialist, Arizona
Previous Choice: Tom Brandstater, QB, Fresno State
Thomas is a climber who could move up further when he's timed in the 40. Not a prototypical West-Coast WR, but I like his quickness and playmaking abilities in the return game. A poor man's DeShaun Jackson for the Rams new OC, perhaps.

Round 6: Quinn Johnson, FB, LSU
Previous Choice: Ramses Barden, WR, Cal Poly
Barden will be taken too high for the Rams to get him here, so I've moved in another direction. Johnson would make Steven Jackson a very happy camper, and could help Rams fans finally get over Madison Hedgecock.

Round 7: Daniel Holtzclaw, MLB, Eastern Michigan
Previous Choice: Michael Thomas, WR/Return Specialist, Arizona
Big (246 lbs) and productive (4 consecutive years w/over 100 tackles). Almost certainly a two-down player, but the Rams need guys who can fill the gaps and make tackles.

Av, just got back in town from a trip to the Peoples Republic of Austin (Texas) so bring me up to speed: Is your mock based on what you saw at the Senior Bowl game (I'm assuming you watched it) or is it based on the many reports circulating about who did what at the practices?

BTW from what I've read B.J. Raji absolutely DOMINATED and was all but unblockable during the one-on-one drills. Of course I didn't see the game so I don't have any current info to share.

WHAT SAY YE?

[AvengerRam]

Av, just got back in town from a trip to the Peoples Republic of Austin (Texas) so bring me up to speed: Is your mock based on what you saw at the Senior Bowl game (I'm assuming you watched it) or is it based on the many reports circulating about who did what at the practices?

A little of both. I also saw Raji play a couple of times this season, and was impressed. In the end, my change was based on three factors (1) the Rams really need a true NT, (2) the OT crop is deeper than the DT crop, and (3) at this point, there is no player clearly at the top of the OT chart. Andre Smith has great talent, but I want to see how he does in the Combine before I'm convinced he's an NFL LT.

[lostsoul]

I would take Patrick Chung in the 2nd round if he's there, I think he could bring an identity to our defense.

[39thebeast]

I don't really have a problem with the Raji pick. If we think he is an Albert Haynesworth type player why the hell not. I think Beaty may be gone becuase many teams are putting a premium on the LT position. I like Eric Wood more than Luigs I think he was more impressive durring the year durring seniot bowl. I think we need more early defensive help besides Raji.

[Nick]

I'm not there on Raji yet, but I'm not writing it off either. Right now, I could see him going as high as Cincy and as low as Denver. Not sure he's cracked the top five yet, though.

If the Rams don't go OT in the first round, I love Beatty at the top of the second round. I think he'd benefit on the Rams where he could work behind Pace at LT, gain some size as a rookie, and then take over down the line.

I like where your head's at in the third round, but I'll take Alabama's Caldwell over Luigs. Might just be personal preference there.

Bomar should be available at the top of the fourth, and is arguably the best senior signal caller in this draft. I'd like to be a fly on the wall for the combine interviews, but I'm on board for the moment.

I like Thomas as a prospect, but I'd like to get someone with a bit more size to add to our receiving corps.

You get a thumbs up from me on the final two picks.

Well done!