Top 40 in Draft Getting Clearer

[Barry Waller]

While endless mock drafts may be quite useless, with teams probably dealing up and down and the fact that even one surprise can lead to a totallly changed first round, it's getting clearer who will be surefire top 15 and first rounders.

It's also making it clearer who the players might be that the Rams will have to choose from in round two, and which of those fit obvious needs.

In my mind here are the guys who won't last past the first half of round one.

QB Matt Stafford
QB Mark Sanchez
RB Beanie Wells
RB Knowshon Johnson
WR Michael Crabtree
WR Jeremy Macklin
OT Eugene Monroe
OT Jason Smith
DE Brian Orakpo
DE Aaron Maybin
DE Everette Brown
DT BJ Raji
LB Rey Maualuga
LB Aaron Curry

HERE ARE THE REST OF MY SURE FIRE #1s
WR Percy Harvin
WR Darrius Heyward Bey
TE Brandon Pettitgrew
OT Andre Smith
OT Michael Oher
DE Larry English
DE Tyson Jackson
DT Peria Jerry
LB Brian Cushing
LB Clay Mathews
LB James Laurenaitis
DB Malcolm Jenkins
CB Vontae Davis
C Alex Mack

That's 28 guys.

Here are my "bubble players" who should go the next 10-13 picks and could among the four who get into round one.

RB LeSean McCoy
OT Eben Britton
WR Kenny Britt
WR Hakeem Nicks
DE Michael Johnson
DT Ziggy Hood
DE Robert Ayers
CB Alphonso Smith
CB DJ Moore
CB Darius Butler
LB Clint Sintim
RB Don Brown
G Duke Robinson


That means the Rams, if they do take an OT in round one, will be left hoping that one of the two wide receivers with #1 ability drop to them.

If they don't, there is just one linebacker, Sintim, who would warrant the 65th pick, and they would be looking at moving him inside.

They probably wouldn't go CB or RB or G, so you hope those are the guys who end up going in late round one, along with OT Britton.

The Rams do need defensive ends, and it could be that the best choice left may be Ayers or Johnson if the WR and LB are gone. The drop off after Nicks and Sintim in a full round talent wise, unless you like the potential of Ohio State WR Brian Robsikie.

The only other option could be a big run stuffer, Boston College's DT Ron Brace, who some like more than others.

[Goldenfleece]

Out of that list, Britton would be a no-brainer if the team did not take an offensive tackle in the first.

Otherwise, I'd think we would go with either one of the receivers or one of the defensive linemen. Right now our backups at defensive tackle include Claude Wroten and two undrafted free agents who have a total of four career tackles between the two of them.

Personally, I wouldn't be keen on Sintim as a 4-3 linebacker. The word on him seems to be that he's a skilled pass rusher but not overly effective in coverage.

[smizzhfx]

I think you mean Knowshon Moreno. If any of your players in the 2nd group fell to us at the top of the second, that would be a draft-day dream come true. If a guy like Laurainitis was there I would be ecstatic.

I really don't think we should go offense with the top 2 picks, if there is a defensive player worth taking at that spot, we need to consider it. We have way too many holes to fill on that side of the ball. A OT in rd. 1 and then a LB in rd. 2 would be a nice combination in my books. Look at the LBs taken at the top of the 2nd in the past couple of years. Paul Posluzny was taken with the 34th pick in '07, Curtis Lofton with the 37th in '08, Demeco Ryans with the 33rd in '06, all solid linebackers for their respective teams. If we could get a guy with that 35th pick with skills along the lines of these guys, are defense would already be in better shape.

[general counsel]

We have too many holes to worry about offense defense, we need to go bpa at a position of need. That means Offensive tackle, wide receiver and linebacker from my perspective. I think we really need to get an offensive tackle with one of the first two picks, but other than that, it should be best guy available. Personally, i would love to see us trade back up into the first round if possible. I love the idea of jason smith or monroe (which spags and billy like better) and laurienitis or nicks/beywood-hey.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[iStillBelieve]

Sean Smith should be on the third list

[txramsfan]

The Rams could draft any postion but K in any round and get away with it.

[RAMarkable]

I am surprised that Barry didn't include William (Shampoo) Beatty anywhere in his thread. Seems to me many are projecting this guy as late first round or at the very least early second round. Maybe an oversight or possibly that Barry is not all that enthralled with him.

WHAT SAY YE?

[iStillBelieve]

If he only has Eben Britton in the 3rd list, who in my opinion is a first round lock, then I can understand why he doesn't have Beatty on the list.

[Shan the Ram Man]

J. Smith OT in the 1st.
E. ZIGGY Hood in the 2nd to Help that D-line. Wait for the NT in next years draft.
Jasoer Brinkley MLB in 4th And J. Mauga LB from Nevada played MLB 6'2"244 LBS with speed maybe 6th or 7th.
Spags likes bigger LB's than small fast LB's like old FO.

Have to start with the O-line & D-line to build a team.

[iStillBelieve]

J. Smith OT in the 1st.

If we go OT I would waaay rather have Monroe. People say Andre Smith has bust written all over him, but I think Jason will be the real bust. Now if we actually do draft Smith, I won't whine because maybe the FO knows something I don't...It's just as of now I want no part of him.

[AbramAssassin]

Brian Robiskie is going to be a solid NFL WR, i like him

[RebelYell]

If he only has Eben Britton in the 3rd list, who in my opinion is a first round lock, then I can understand why he doesn't have Beatty on the list.

This is why I'm in favor of the Rams taking Curry at #1. Pretty darn good chance our worst case scenario is Beatty in the second round and that's a pretty good talent to get as your worst case.

And I think IStillBelieve is confusing Andre Smith with Jason Smith. Not a difficult mistake.

[Shan the Ram Man]

First you forgot OT William Beatty, Connnecticut 6'6" 307.
These guys should be moved to your top.
OT Eben Britten
DE Robert Ayers
WR Kenny Britt

I think those players will be gone before the Rams 2nd Rd pick.

Here's my Bubble players or players possibly still there in 2nd.
C Alex Mack
DE Michael Johnson
WR Hakeem Nicks
DT Evander ZIGGY Hood
RB Don Brown
RB LeSean McCoy
CB Alphonso Smith
CB DJ Moore
CB Darius Butler
CB/S Sean Smith
G Duke Robinson
LB Clint Sintim

I would hope the Rams get WR K. Britt. I think NY Giants take Him as a Burris replcement.
These are some of the players I want Rams to look at in 2nd.
DE Michael Johnson
DT Evander ZIGGY Hood
CB/S Sean Smith
WR Brian Robiski

or moving back in the 2nd for another pick in the 3rd or 4th. The Rams should hold off on a NT untill next year or wait until late in draft.

3rd round players.
MLB Jasper Brinkly
TE Shawn Nelson
WR Ramses Barden (If he doesn't make it as WR then move to TE)
DE Kyle Moore.