Past first-round draft picks by the Rams in St. Louis

[RamWraith]

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Saturday, Apr. 26 2008

Past first-round draft picks by the Rams in St. Louis:

Year Player Overall pick Pos. Team


1995 ... Kevin Carter, No. 6, DE, Florida

Still in league, spent first 6 seasons with Rams; led NFL in sacks (17) for '99
Super Bowl champs.


1996 ... Lawrence Phillips, No. 6, RB, Nebraska

Big-time bust made more headlines off the field than on; washed out in two
seasons.
***They forgot Kennison

1997 ... Orlando Pace, No. 1, OT, Ohio State

Rams traded up to top spot and Pace hasn't disappointed with seven Pro Bowl
berths.


1998 ... Grant Wistrom, No. 6, DE, Nebraska

Nonstop, extra-effort player averaged nearly 8 sacks per season from 1999
through 2003.


1999 ... Torry Holt, No. 6, WR, N. Carolina St.

One of the game's greats is still going strong despite knee issues; seven-time
Pro Bowler.


2000 ... Trung Canidate, No. 31, RB, Arizona

Faster than Marshall Faulk, and that's where the comparison ended; lasted just
three seasons.


2001 ... Damione Lewis, No. 12, DT, Miami

Still in league; a disappointment in St. Louis, always looked better in
practice than games.


2001 ... Adam Archuleta, No. 20, SS, Arizona State

For a while appeared on verge of Pro Bowl status, but was never the same after
back problems.


2001 ... Ryan Pickett , No. 29, DT, Ohio State

An active, effective run stuffer; Rams shouldn't have let him go to Green Bay
in free agency.


2002 ... Robert Thomas, No. 31, LB, UCLA

Was a reach in the first-round and didn't reach too many ball-carriers; gone
after three seasons.


2003 ... Jimmy Kennedy, No. 12, DT, Penn State

Talked a good game. ... Next to Phillips, the biggest first-round bust for the
Rams in St. Louis.


2004 ... Steven Jackson, No. 24, RB, Oregon State

One of the game's elite backs; a three-time 1,000-yard rusher and 2006 season
Pro Bowler.


2005 ... Alex Barron, No. 19, OT, Florida State

Underrated toughness, but too many penalties; has been decent for Rams but
could be better.


2006 ... Tye Hill, No. 15, CB, Clemson

Fast, competitive, but slowed by injuries last season; too early to pass final
judgment.


2007 ... Adam Carriker, No. 13, DL, Nebraska

Coming off a solid rookie season in '07; can play — and play well — at tackle
or end positions.