Av's Top 5 Prospects at the Top 5 Need Positions (Plus 5 more!)

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Originally Posted by Nick

At receiver, swap Hunter and Woods and you've probably got my rankings. Something about Woods doesn't blow me away.

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Right now, I see Woods as more of an immediate impact guy, while Hunter has a higher ceiling. Close call.

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At linebacker, count me among those who can't think outside the box enough, as I don't know if Te'o is worth a first round pick as an OLB and don't see Jones/Mingo as schematic fits at linebacker for the Rams.

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Of the three, I have the most confidence in Te'o's ability to adjust to a 4-3 scheme. The other two might be more a stretch as 3 down players, but as impact pass rush specialists, I think they could be very valuable.

As a supplement to my lists, here are the Top 5 "non-need position" players who intrigue me:

1. Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State (6'1, 217): There's an old saying in football that you can never have too many CBs. Rhodes has the size to match up with the big WRs in the NFL, and the athleticism to be a star. When you factor in that Bradley Fletcher is a FA, and the Rams like to play Cortland Finnegan in the slot, this could be a pick that makes a lot of sense.

2. Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame (6'5, 252): Lance Kendricks has not (yet) reached the level that the Rams hoped he would when he was drafted in the second round. Perhaps the coaching staff still has high hopes for him but, if not, Eifert would give the Rams the big Red Zone target they clearly need.

3. Le'Veon Bell, RB, Michigan State (6'2, 244): If Steven Jackson's time in St. Louis is coming to an end, the Rams will need a new "thunder" back to compliment the "lightning" of Daryl Richardson (and, hopefully, Isaiah Pead). Bell is a bruiser, and very productive. He also is an excellent receiver, having caught 60 passes in the last two seasons.

4. Joseph Fauria, TE, UCLA (6'7, 255): If the Rams want to look at the TE position a bit later in the draft, Fauria could be a good option. In 2 1/2 seasons, he has only 61 receptions, but 13 have gone for TDs. Could be a diamond in the rough in the mold of Jimmy Graham.

5. Bernard Reedy, RS, Toledo (5'9, 175): The Rams really can't afford to have players like Chris Givens, Danny Amendola and Janoris Jenkins risking injury returning kicks. They need a true specialist. Reedy has a 28.4 yard average on kickoff returns (2 TDs) and a 13.5 yard average on punt returns (1 TD).

I'm starting to think TE may become a need. If we don't get a FA WR and there is no big time WR to draft that can come in day one. TE may be a way to get Bradford and this offense some much needed help. We have Kendricks and I'm not giving up on him. Having two TE that can catch and score in the red zone is not a bad thing.

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Originally Posted by AvengerRam

As a supplement to my lists, here are the Top 5 "non-need position" players who intrigue me:

1. Xavier Rhodes, CB, Florida State (6'1, 217): There's an old saying in football that you can never have too many CBs. Rhodes has the size to match up with the big WRs in the NFL, and the athleticism to be a star. When you factor in that Bradley Fletcher is a FA, and the Rams like to play Cortland Finnegan in the slot, this could be a pick that makes a lot of sense.

2. Tyler Eifert, TE, Notre Dame (6'5, 252): Lance Kendricks has not (yet) reached the level that the Rams hoped he would when he was drafted in the second round. Perhaps the coaching staff still has high hopes for him but, if not, Eifert would give the Rams the big Red Zone target they clearly need.

3. Le'Veon Bell, RB, Michigan State (6'2, 244): If Steven Jackson's time in St. Louis is coming to an end, the Rams will need a new "thunder" back to compliment the "lightning" of Daryl Richardson (and, hopefully, Isaiah Pead). Bell is a bruiser, and very productive. He also is an excellent receiver, having caught 60 passes in the last two seasons.

4. Joseph Fauria, TE, UCLA (6'7, 255): If the Rams want to look at the TE position a bit later in the draft, Fauria could be a good option. In 2 1/2 seasons, he has only 61 receptions, but 13 have gone for TDs. Could be a diamond in the rough in the mold of Jimmy Graham.

5. Bernard Reedy, RS, Toledo (5'9, 175): The Rams really can't afford to have players like Chris Givens, Danny Amendola and Janoris Jenkins risking injury returning kicks. They need a true specialist. Reedy has a 28.4 yard average on kickoff returns (2 TDs) and a 13.5 yard average on punt returns (1 TD).

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I like the Bernard Reedy pick. I'm not too familiar with him but I was hoping that a dedicated return guy is something we would address in the next draft. I really miss Tony Horne and Az Hakim.

I am more and more intrigued by Le'Veon Bell. If Jackson departs, I would definitely take him if he's still there when the Rams make their 2nd pick. I think there is a good chance, though, that he could go in the first round, particularly with Marcus Lattimore off the board.

If one of the Rams' 1st round picks is in the #15 to #20 range, I might consider taking him in the first round. I think he has great potential, and would give the Rams a true "thunder and lightning" backfield.

I'm also thinking of flipping Joekel and Lewin, and moving Terrance Williams up to my #1 spot at WR.

Rams could get a Jake Matthews in the second round. Few teams intentionally draft a RT in the 1st.

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Originally Posted by RebelYell

Rams could get a Jake Matthews in the second round. Few teams intentionally draft a RT in the 1st.

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I agree.

Understand... there are 30 prospects listed between the 5 need positions and 5 "at large" prospects. Some are first round prospects, some second, and some are mid-round guys.

Matthews would be a good Round 2 option if the Rams (a) made a move for a LT in FA (i.e. J.Long, Clady) or (b) if Saffold returns and has a strong second half of the season.

Fisher supposed told Jim Thomas that Saffold would stay at LT. He wasn't moving anywhere.
We'll see if that holds water but none of Saffold's injuries imply to me that his body is breaking down. I think he's still a viable LT option going forward.

If Saffold is the LT, the Rams could solidify the offensive line with a RT and just getting healthy. They have the talent if they can get healthy.

Considering they have Richardson and Pead, I doubt RB will be a top 4 rounds option unless someone falls dramatically to them. I'd think they would get a veteran as a fill-in behind Richardson as the starter. Hillis, Greene, Kevin Smith or a Brandon Jackson. They would be looking for a 2nd option with Pead as a 3rd down back.

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Originally Posted by RebelYell

Considering they have Richardson and Pead, I doubt RB will be a top 4 rounds option unless someone falls dramatically to them. I'd think they would get a veteran as a fill-in behind Richardson as the starter. Hillis, Greene, Kevin Smith or a Brandon Jackson. They would be looking for a 2nd option with Pead as a 3rd down back.

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I'm not a fan of retreads at RB. I think that, if Jackson leaves, there will be an opening for a larger back. Bell is 244 lbs., and is also a very good receiver.

uhm Taylor Levin over Luke Joeckel? Are you serious?

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Originally Posted by AvengerRam

My concern with Jennings is his age. I don't want to give a 4 year contract to a guy who has 1-2 good years left.

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Yeah I'd much rather sign Wallace than Jennings and I'd also rather draft Allen, Woods, or Hunter than Jennings either. Ideally we'd sign Wallace, draft Joeckel with our first pick and then get Eifert with our 2nd. That would be huge for our offense.

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Originally Posted by mcpeepants232003

uhm Taylor Levin over Luke Joeckel? Are you serious?

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At this point, flip a coin between them.

Okay... its official. After his performance against Alabama, Joeckel is my No. 1 OT.

I've updated my WR rankings.

Terrance Williams is my No. 1. I know that most have him ranked in the 3-5 range, but his consistent performances have swayed me.

I've also moved DeAndre Hopkins above Robert Woods for similar reasons.

Additionally, at OT, Jake Matthews has jumped ahead of D.J. Fluker, and at LB, Jarvis Jones has jumped Barkevious Mingo.