Rams Draft Board (Top 20)
Here is my current Rams Draft Board.
I've gone 20 players deep, as the Rams will almost certainly have a choice of several of these players at pick 19 (probably half of them will still be on the board). Each player is given two scores – one for their position, and one for their individual (perceived) talent and potential - as follows:
Position – Level of Need:
5 - Immediate Need: Draft choice likely to be a starter as rookie.
4 - Future Need: Draft choice will likely be starter w/in 3 years.
3 - Depth Postion: Draft choice will provide depth at key position/may platoon with starter.
2 - Luxury Position: Not a need position. Selection would be pure luxury.
1 - Not Needed: No basis to select this position in first round.
Player Rating:
5 - Blue Chip Player: Regarded as "can't miss" prospect.
4 - Clear First Rounder: Confident that player will succeed.
3 - Marginal First Rounder: Needs to be in right system; possible second rounder.
2 - First Round Reach: Flaw in game should keep out of first round.
1 - Not a First Rounder: Should not be selected in first round.
Where there was a tie between two players on the combined score, I simply ranked them according to my own belief as to which player would help the team more.
Here's my current top 20:
1. Alex Barron, OT, FSU (10.0; 5.0/5.0)
2. Jammal Brown, OT, Oklahoma State (9.5; 5.0/4.5)
3. Antrel Rolle, CB, Miami (8.5; 3.5/5.0)
4. Derrick Johnson, OLB, Texas (8.5; 3.5/5.0)
5. Shawne Merriman, OLB, Maryland (8.5; 3.5/5.0)
6. Adam "Pac Man" Jones, CB, West Virginia (8.0; 3.5/4.5)
7. Thomas Davis, FS, Georgia (8.0; 4.0/4.0)
8. David Baas, OG, Michigan (8.0; 4.0/4.0)
9. Khalif Barnes, OT, Wisconsin (8.0; 5.0/3.0)
10. Darryl Blackstock, OLB, Virginia (7.5; 3.5/4.0)
11. Heath Miller, TE, Virgina (7.5; 3.0/4.5)
12. Carlos Rogers, CB, Auburn (7.5; 3.5/4.0)
13. Erasmus James, DE, Wisconsin (7.5; 3.5/4.0)
14. David Pollack, DE, Georgia (7.5; 3.5/4.0)
15. DeMarcus Ware, OLB, TroyState (7.0; 3.5/3.5)
16. Marcus Spears, DE, LSU (7.0; 3.5/3.5)
17. Brodney Poole, FS, Oklahoma (7.0; 4.0/3.0)
18. Odell Thurman, OLB, Georgia (6.5; 3.0/3.5)
19. Channing Crowder, MLB, Florida (6.5; 3.0/3.5)
20. Marlin Jackson, CB, Michigan (6.5; 3.5/3.0)
Re: Rams Draft Board (Top 20)
This would be my list, based on your list.
Couple of notes. I graded needs in the following order...
-Tackle: 5.0. Our need at right tackle makes it the highest on the scale.
-OLB: 4.5. Coakley will be solid for 2-3 seasons, but we could use a player to challenge for the other spot.
-CB: 4.5. Butler and Fisher are marginal starters. Someone to challenge them would be a nice addition.
-S: 4.5. Between Arch at FS and Pisa at SS, this group could use someone who is familiar with their position.
-G: 4.0. Scott Tercero and Blaine Saipaia are solid but could use some competition.
-DE/OLB: 4.0. Players who fall in the 'tweener category here have a need rating that's half between OLB and DE.
-TE: 4.0. Manu can't stretch the field and his blocking isn't great.
-DE: 3.5. Unless Little misses time because of court, I don't see this as a huge need.
So then, here's my list.
1. Derrick Johnson, OLB, Texas (9.5; 4.5/5.0)
2. Alex Barron, T, Florida State (9.6; 5.0/4.6)
3. Jammal Brown, T, Oklahoma (9.5; 5.0/4.5)
4. Antrel Rolle, DB, Miami (9.1; 4.5/4.6)
5. Adam "Pac Man" Jones, CB, West Virginia (8.9; 4.5/4.4)
6. Thomas Davis, S, Georgia (8.7; 4.5/4.2)
7. Carlos Rogers, CB, Auburn (8.5; 4.5/4.0)
8. Heath Miller, TE, Virgina (8.3; 4.0/4.3)
9. Shawne Merriman, DE/OLB, Maryland (8.0; 4.0/4.0)
10. David Baas, OG, Michigan (7.8; 4.0/3.8)
11. Channing Crowder, MLB, Florida (7.7; 3.5/4.2)
12. Khalif Barnes, OT, Wisconsin (7.6; 5.0/2.6)
13. Erasmus James, DE, Wisconsin (7.5; 3.5/4.0)
14. Marcus Spears, DE, LSU (7.5; 3.5/4.0)
15. Marlin Jackson, DB, Michigan (7.3; 4.0/3.3)
16. Brodney Poole, S, Oklahoma (7.3; 4.5/2.8)
17. Kevin Burnett, OLB, Tennessee (7.2; 4.5/2.7)
18. David Pollack, DE, Georgia (7.0; 3.5/3.5)
19. Elton Brown, G, Virginia (6.8; 4.0/2.8)
20. Odell Thurman, MLB, Georgia (6.8; 3.5/3.3)
Re: Rams Draft Board (Top 20)
I'll buy that. Either list would lead to a good first pick, in my opinion.
