Rams Team Report
4/14/2006
By Jim Thomas
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
DRAFT BUZZ: The Rams rarely move up in the opening round. The idea is to avoid getting fixated on one guy as the make-or-break player of their draft. Coach Scott Linehan has said repeatedly he will stick to the value board, particularly in the early rounds. Although the Rams almost never trade down, this could be the year.
TARGETING: After passing on several tight ends in the free-agent market, the Rams need to take one on the first day, and he needs to be able to contribute right away. Maryland's Vernon Davis is an athletic freak who would bring another dimension to the passing game. If he isn't there at No. 11, that would leave UCLA's Marcedes Lewis, Colorado's
Joe Klopfenstein, Southern California's
Dominique Byrd, Georgia's Leonard Pope and Notre Dame's Anthony Fasano as possibilities in the second round. The team likes Florida State DT Brodrick Bunkley as another first-round possibility; he has the kind of pass-rushing and penetrating skills coordinator
Jim Haslett covets. Texas S Michael Huff is another strong possibility. N.C. State DE/OLB Manny Lawson has superb speed and could be an ideal fit as a rush linebacker if Haslett tries to incorporate elements of the 3-4 into the Rams' base defense. In the middle rounds, look for the Rams to address needs at running back, kick returner, linebacker and the interior of the offensive line. UCLA's Maurice Drew makes a lot of sense at running back and also has plenty of return potential, though there is some concern about his ability to secure the ball.
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