Which is the better choice?

[MauiRam]

If the Rams (for whatever reason) stand pat with the #2 overall pick in round one, should they:

1) Make the selection based on what they perceive as the greatest need.

2) Select the best player available regardless of position?

[txramsfan]

Based on need: OT Monroe
Based on talent: DE Orakpo

[iStillBelieve]

If we were choosing based on need it would be Andre Smith because he can play right tackle and he is better suited for the power running style Spagnuolo wants.

And if we were choosing based on pure talent it would be Aaron Curry, because although we do not need a OLB he will be the best player from this draft.

I like Michael Oher more than anybody in this draft but I do not believe the Rams will draft him with the second pick, Jason Smith from Baylor is also very intriguing so I wouldn't mind trading down a few spots to grab him (this would be very possible if the Lions take A. Smith and another team would trade up to #2 to take Stafford away from the Chiefs).

I still wouldn't mind Andre Smith because we need better run blockers so Steven Jackson can have more holes and not take as many big hits in the backfield.

[MauiRam]

The question was not who should we pick, rather, I am inquiring as to which school of thought you suscribe to: (need or BPA) and why ...

[iStillBelieve]

I think it has to be need because if we do not take an offensive linemen all our other players on offense will suffer. SJax will have no holes, Bulger will get pounded, our young receivers won't be able to develop.

[txramsfan]

Oh sorry. I like Orakpo. He provides an intense pass rush on the R side that would allow Long to move to the L and that would wreak havoc in the NFC West for years. It would immediately shore up our run defense and with the those two at the ends it would free up the middle for Carriker/Ryan/and the LB corp.

[eric2810]

Greatest Need : Eugene Moore
Best Player Available: Aaron Curry
That's a tough one. The more I think about it, the more I'd rather Take the best player available and draft a need (OL) in the second because of the draft being deep in OL talent.

[iStillBelieve]

Oh sorry. I like Orakpo. He provides an intense pass rush on the R side that would allow Long to move to the L and that would wreak havoc in the NFC West for years. It would immediately shore up our run defense and with the those two at the ends it would free up the middle for Carriker/Ryan/and the LB corp.

I like Orakpo too, but his stock has dropped and we could probably trade down to around pick 10 and grab him.

I hate talking about trading down in the draft as an actual possibility because I don't see anybody trading up to the 2nd spot in the draft so it is pure fantasy to say we could trade down to 10 and collect a couple picks and draft Orakpo.

[txramsfan]

How has Orakpo's stock dropped? He hasn't done anything. He didn't play in the Senior Bowl because he didn't have to. He won all the defensive player awards this year.

Wait till the combine. This guy is a workout freak. His stock is going to soar.

This is what I really really hate about the draft. Shoot, there were actually people in the "know" who were saying (at the time) that Peyton Manning wasn't mobile enough to be effective in the NFL.

[iStillBelieve]

How has Orakpo's stock dropped? He hasn't done anything. He didn't play in the Senior Bowl because he didn't have to. He won all the defensive player awards this year.

Wait till the combine. This guy is a workout freak. His stock is going to soar.

This is what I really really hate about the draft. Shoot, there were actually people in the "know" who were saying (at the time) that Peyton Manning wasn't mobile enough to be effective in the NFL.

When he didn't show up against OSU in the Fiesta Bowl

[MauiRam]

Okay .. I'll try one more time to direct this thread back onto topic .. With the number 2 overall pick should the Rams go for the best player available (regardless of position), or draft according to our greatest need??

My particular preference is that we take the BPA route, and draft according to need later. Reason: Since whoever we select at #2 overall will be paid a fortune and then some, we really need to come away with an impact player who can contribute immediately, the exception being if we were to draft a quarterback ...

[iStillBelieve]

Draft for need

[Aussie Dave]

i feel our team isnt good enough to make luxury picks with best players.
we have big needs.
OT first round.
ideally we will trade down and still get a top OT.

[txramsfan]

When he didn't show up against OSU in the Fiesta Bowl

Let me tell you something OSU was in a BCS Bowl because they are a good team. When they played USC, they didn't Wells and Pryor wasn't ready. Orakpo played well. He was tripled team at times. Ask Sam Bradford if Orakpo has slipped.

Anyway, sorry Maui. BPA in round 1, need after that.

[Weddle]

I'd say the choice will be made on a combo of need & talent, meaning talent-level drop-off to the 2nd tier of players at that position that will likely be available at 2.2.

If Devaney & Spags think that the positional players we need likely to still be around at 2.2 are much worse than the top prospect at 1.2, then they might well take them - i.e. If the OT class isn't very deep, or they are worried that OTs are a highly valued commodity this year, or that Smith/Oher/Munroe are that much BETTER, they should take them. Same for the LB class....