Who WILL be the Rams' first pick in the 2011 draft?

[AvengerRam]

The players listed are among those who (1) as of today, appear to have a reasonable chance of still being there at pick #14, and (2) make sense given the Rams' needs.

Who's your early favorite?

[sosa39rams]

I will say it goes like this:

1) Aldon Smith (If he lasts, which is definently possible.)
2) Akeem Ayers

OR

Trade down and take

1) Mike Pouncey
2) Allen Bailey

I would be pleased with basically anything here. And I based this on assuming Julio Jones would have already been drafted before we pick.

[AvengerRam]

I voted for Jones, who I think will last and will be the clear choice.

If I'm wrong, my second choice would probably come down to Bailey, Smith and Ayers.

[sjacksonrules]

Jake Locker and we run a two qb system that no one has ever heard of.

[RAMarkable]

I'm quite certain the Rams will go defense with the first pick. Having said that I don't see an OLB or a DB that would in all likelihood be a super value at pick 14 so I went D-Line.

Next dilemma was to try to figure which D- lineman the Rams would probably target. I was going with Steven Paea but at this point I'm not sure he has the value at 14. Plus for some reason I get the feeling that Spags believes he can find D-Tackles later in the draft and coach 'em up. So I went DE. Next question was, once again, which one?

My cogitations went as follows: Bailey, Jordan, Clayborn and Hayward all look to be better fits for the 3-4 defense. Moreover, even if they project to a 4-3 front it looks like they would be better at LDE because of their size and ability to play the run. But Aldon Smith while a little smaller has the athleticism and speed off the edge that a 4-3 DE MUST have to be truly effective. NTM with Chris Long firmly entrenched at the LDE we need someone who can beat left tackles to the edge and supply pressure on the QBs blind side.

So without any further analysis I went with the only true 4-3 DE on the list which is Aldon Smith.

Whew!! 3 more months to the draft and I'm already exhausted!!

WHAT SAY YE?

[Alec22]

My guess:

Green and Jones gone before #14, Rams dont have anybody they love, they trade down to say #20, and draft pouncey, gaining a 3rd rd pick.

[Ramendola16]

I'm gonna go out on limb and say Jones will not be available when we pick. We either trade down or pick the top OLB, Ayers. I say the latter is more likely.

[TekeRam]

Rookie WR's don't make a huge impact, so I really don't want to get one and wait to get him NFLized. Go FA on the WR and go defense in the 1st round. We need a starting OLB or two, but I dunno if Ayers or Miller really fit what we need yet. So, I wanted a DE to pair with Hall on the right side, and I just read Ramarkable's post. Aldon Smith.

[Goldenfleece]

If all are available, Julio Jones has to be the odds on favorite. I guess that is the 64 million dollar question. Will he be there?

[laram0]

Let's see, Spags defensive minded headcoach. RAMS have a glaring need at the OLB position. Donnie Avery and probably Mark Clayton coming back for next season. Ayers gets my vote.

[39thebeast]

Rookie WR's don't make a huge impact, so I really don't want to get one and wait to get him NFLized. Go FA on the WR and go defense in the 1st round. We need a starting OLB or two, but I dunno if Ayers or Miller really fit what we need yet. So, I wanted a DE to pair with Hall on the right side, and I just read Ramarkable's post. Aldon Smith.

DeSean Jackson, Mike Williams, Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Mike Wallace, Greg Jennings, Andre Johnson, Dwayne Bowe, Marques Colston, and more would all like to disagree.

Pre Free Agency if we even have it i'll say Julio Jones. At this point I see the skins as the only possible destination for him besides us. Post Free agency if we even have it and are able to land a WR I will probably change my vote to a d-lineman or Akeem Ayers

[bigtiger737]

I simply going gut here.. no logic.. but Ireally think we should get ingram... I know it's not a sound I dea.. but I just feel like he should be our guy

[Nick_Weasel]

I think the Rams have a decent shot at landing Julio Jones because of who's picking ahead of us. Cincinnati could use a WR but they're not going to grab him at #4. Outside of the top 5, which would be too early for him (at this point at least) we have...

#6 CLE - Maybe, but a bit of a reach
#7 SF - No
#8 TEN - No
#9 DAL - No
#10 WAS - Maybe
#11 HOU - No
#12 MIN - Depending on whether they re-sign Rice it's a No or a Maybe
#13 DET - No

So I'm liking our chances at this point.

[berg8309]

I think the Rams have a decent shot at landing Julio Jones because of who's picking ahead of us. Cincinnati could use a WR but they're not going to grab him at #4. Outside of the top 5, which would be too early for him (at this point at least) we have...

#6 CLE - Maybe, but a bit of a reach
#7 SF - No
#8 TEN - No
#9 DAL - No
#10 WAS - Maybe
#11 HOU - No
#12 MIN - Depending on whether they re-sign Rice it's a No or a Maybe
#13 DET - No

So I'm liking our chances at this point.

If Cleveland wanted him, I could see them picking him at 6, wouldn't be so bad with a rookie cap in place, or trading down a few slots if they can and picking him. McCoy sure could use another weapon. However they might want someone with better hands, as McCoy is expected to struggle in the cold weather, given his size.

[lostsoul]

I would want to trade back about 8 spots for cheap, say a 3rd round and then pick up Pouncey. He's a beast and would upgrade the O-line. Then go defense in the second and RB with one of the third round picks