Rams will eye these underclassmen in NFL draft

[RamWraith]

By Bill Coats — ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Thursday, Jan. 15 2009
With an extra year to develop on the pro level, underclassmen are coveted prospects in the NFL draft. Last year, 39 of the 53 players who left college early were drafted, including a record 30 in the first three rounds.

Non-seniors have been the first overall picks in 11 of the 19 drafts since the
league decided to make underclassmen who are at least three years removed from
high school eligible for the draft. When Michigan senior tackle Jake Long was
taken first last year by the Miami Dolphins, it broke a three-year string in
which an underclassmen had occupied the top spot.

Today is the deadline for underclassmen to make themselves eligible for this
year's draft (April 25-26). The following is not a comprehensive list of
underclassmen who have declared. Rather, it is a look at those who may show up
on the Rams' draft board, listed by eight areas of need — depending, of course,
on what the team does during free agency:

QUARTERBACKPlayerSchoolHt.Wt.Proj. RdNate DavisBall State6-12182-3Josh
FreemanKansas State6-62482-3Why they fit: The Rams will look for a young
quarterback — but probably not until the second day of the draft — to develop
and also to back up Marc Bulger.

WIDE RECEIVERPlayerSchoolHt.Wt.Proj. RdJeremy
MaclinMissouri6-12001Michael CrabtreeTexas Tech6-32141Hakeem NicksNorth
Carolina6-12101Kenny BrittRutgers6-42152Why they fit: A youngster with size
would provide a boost to the Rams' corps of wideouts, especially if Torry Holt
isn't back. They also could use a returner, which makes Maclin
enticing.

OFFENSIVE TACKLEPlayerSchoolHt.Wt.Proj. RdAndre SmithAlabama6-43301
Eben BrittonArizona6-63101-2Why they fit: The Rams need to beef up their
offensive line and could go for a tackle with their No. 2 overall selection —
particularly if Smith is available.

RUNNING BACKPlayerSchoolHt.Wt.Proj. RdShonn
GreeneIowa5-112351-2Why he fits: A true No. 2 to Steven Jackson — preferably a
big back —ranks high on the Rams' wish list. If Greene is there in Round 2,
he'll be tempting.

DEFENSIVE TACKLEPlayerSchoolHt.Wt.Proj. RdRicky
Jean-FrancoisLouisiana State6-32904Chris BakerHampton6-23085-6Why they fit: The
Rams would like to add to their youth movement on the D-line, although they
would prefer a bigger tackle.

DEFENSIVE ENDPlayerSchoolHt.Wt.Proj. RdPaul
KrugerUtah6-52651-2Brandon WilliamsTexas Tech6-52523-4Why they fit: With
Leonard Little's status uncertain, the Rams could look for help here, although
probably not on the first day.

STRONG SAFETYPlayerSchoolHt.Wt.Proj. RdEmanuel
CookSouth Carolina5-102053-4Why he fits: The Rams will be searching for a
possible starter. The top prospects are seniors, though.CORNERBACKPlayerSchool
Ht.Wt.Proj. RdVontae DavisIllinois6-02041-2Sean SmithUtah6-32101-2Why they fit:
If they don't re-sign Ron Bartell, the Rams are more likely to use a first-day
pick here. But if either of these two slips, the team would like to pick up a
prospect.

[jbell15]

Looks like we are going to draft a mid-round QB to develop for a year and hopefully take over for pathetic Bulger. Or maybe if Marc sees that we drafted a QB to take his spot, it might light a fire under him and give hi some charisma, something that we have NEVER seen from him.

[PeoriaRam]

Looks like we are going to draft a mid-round QB to develop for a year and hopefully take over for pathetic Bulger. Or maybe if Marc sees that we drafted a QB to take his spot, it might light a fire under him and give hi some charisma, something that we have NEVER seen from him.

Because the ability to sell Wrangler jeans is absolutely critical to being a NFL quarterback.

[RamsFan16]

If we drafted Shonn Greene in Round 1, I would absolutely be thrilled!

I've been saying for awhile now that Shonn would be a perfect compliment to Jackson, and be an absolute nightmare to opponents.

[RockinRam]

If we drafted Shonn Greene in Round 1, I would absolutely be thrilled!

I've been saying for awhile now that Shonn would be a perfect compliment to Jackson, and be an absolute nightmare to opponents.

I definitely don't think we will draft Greene in round 1.

[Nick]

If we drafted Shonn Greene in Round 1, I would absolutely be thrilled!

I hope you meant round two.

[txramsfan]

If the Rams go Davis/Green I'd be thrilled with the draft. Still won't watch the dad gum thing because watching grass grow is much more entertaining but I would be happy with it.