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Trade: Adam Carriker and Alex Barron to the Redskins in return for their 3rd and 6th round pick. It is a good deal for Washington because they desperately seek help on their offensive line and need a 3-4 DE. That way, with the acquiring of Alex Barron, they no longer have a huge need to draft Okung, and could likely draft Clausen.
Round 1: Sam Bradford [6'4, 236lbs.] QB Oklahoma
Analysis: Some people desperately seek reasons to make them believe that Bradford will not succeed. "Oh, it's his shoulder." "He's a spread-system guy." "His arm-strength is bad." "I have a gut feeling about this guy, and it's not good."
Well, let me state this. Bradford's shoulder is now almost 100%, and there are no lingering effects. He is also not a spread guy only. He has played under center enough times that he is comfortable with it. And, didn't the same people have gut feelings about Matt Ryan being a bust?
Bradford has all the tools to be a Pro-Bowl QB in this league. It's time for the Rams to start playing high level football again, by securing our future at QB for the next decade and a half.
I do not want to bag on Suh to make Bradford seem better. Suh is an amazing prospect for a DT, and throughout the season, I wanted him too. Hell, I wouldn't mind if we grab him in April. BUT, Bradford to me is the better and more logical choice if we are building towards the future.
Round 2: Golden Tate [5'11, 195lbs.] WR Notre Dame
Analysis: (Following Mike Mayock's mock draft, he has Tate dropping out of the first round.) It's time to bring in some fresh blood. Bradford needs to have success early in his career, so he will have a great start. If rookie QB's face a lot of adversary during their first couple of years in the NFL, there chances of later succeeding is dropped. That is why we are bringing in the dynamic Tate.
Golden Tate brings along his package of speed, agility, explosiveness, and big play ability. He is absolutely intense after the catch, racking up huge Y.A.C. Is very intelligent, and is a good leader. He is also a natural competitor. Great work ethic. He would not be a slacker that quits, (ala Mike Williams).
Round 3: Austen Lane [6'6, 275lbs.] DE Murray State
Analysis: This benefits us in two huge, direct ways. Lane gives us a terror on the RDE side. The other is that this allows Chris Long to shift to the LDE side, giving him more productivity.
Lane is a huge pass rushing machine. Great first step, and has a knack for sacking the QB. He is disruptive, and he is strong. He is also a powerful tackler. The one knock on him is that he needs to improve his run-stopping, but that shouldn't be too much of a problem. We have a huge need for getting to the opposing QB, and Lane fills that need solidly.
Round 3: Jared Veldheer [6'8, 312lbs.] OT Hillsdale
Analysis: With the drafting of Jared Veldheer, our offensive line should basically be complete. We have Jason Smith at LT, Jacob Bell at LG, Jason Brown at C, John Greco or someone else at RG, and Jared Veldheer at RT.
Jared Veldheer is an imposing figure on the line with his 6'8 frame. He's very athletic, very strong, and is a physical freak. He is a bit raw, but he should quickly develop into a stud right tackle. He is a incredibly hard worker, and shows great character.
Round 4: Jimmy Graham [6'6, 260lbs.] TE Miami
Analysis: One weapon for rookie QB Bradford is not going to cut it. We need more. And that is why we bring in explosive Jimmy Graham.
Before the combine, Graham was known as a bit of a project but with tons of upside and potential because he was mainly a basketball player. Now that is not the case. He showed that he was a natural tight end during the drills, displaying fluid motions, and looked more like an elite TE than the majority of the TE class. He is also very fast for a TE.
Graham has all the physical tools and athleticism to be an elite TE in the NFL. He would also give us a huge redzone target that has the ability to leap over other defenders.
Round 5: Myron Lewis [6'2, 203lbs.] CB/FS Vanderbilt
Analysis: Our secondary is not in great shape. Atogwe coming back is questionable. James Butler is decent, but not great. Bartell and Fletcher are good corners, but we don't have anyone behind them.
Myron Lewis is a HUGE defensive back. Standing at 6'2, offenses have trouble creating mismatches off him. Can line up on taller receivers and not be abused. Is a physical corner, and has the potential to be an elite press corner in the NFL with his size. He is also a very durable corner. Has been a starter since he was a sophmore, so he has had plenty of experience.
Round 5: Kavell Conner [6'1, 242lbs.] OLB Clemson
Analysis: We have one great prospect linebacker in James Laurinaitis. Sadly, he doesn't have a very good supporting crew beside him. Paris Lenon is very mediocre, and David Vobora is also not a standout talent, but unlike Lenon, Vobora has the potential to be very solid and is still developing. Considering he was Mr. Irrelevant, I think we hit the gold on Vobora.
Conner is a solid, consistent tackler much like Laurinaitis. Is very strong and durable for a guy his size. Again like James, he is not the most athletic linebacker in the world, and won't make many big plays. He is more of a classic linebacker. He is solid, he is a good run stopper, and he can play the pass effectively. He will get the job done.
Round 6: Brandon Sharpe [6'3, 255lbs.] DE/OLB Texas Tech
Analysis: Our team lacks pass rush. That is one of the main reasons why our secondary is left on an island during every game. We've brought in Austen Lane from Murray State already. But, I don't think that's enough.
And here comes Brandon Sharpe. People question what he is. Is he a DE? He wouldn't be a bad one. He isn't that undersized. Some people think he's a 3-4 OLB. Again, he wouldn't be a bad one. How about a 4-3 OLB? Who knows.
But, the main reason we are drafting him is for his pass rushing skills. No matter where he lines up, he always has a knack for getting to the QB. He's not the fastest, or strongest guy, but he is a pass rush specialist. A defense filled with Brandon Sharpe, Chris Long and Austen Lane as pass rushers with Kavell Conner and Laurinaitis backing them would wreak havoc on opposing offenses. Steve Spagnuolo will have no problem finding at permanent home for Sharpe on this team.
Round 6: Brandon Carter [6'7, 320lbs.] OG Texas Tech
Analysis: Woo boy. Another Tech player. Another Brandon. But, this one is basically doubled the size of the other one (not literally).
With the addition of Veldheer, our RT spot is secure. The only place where we have questions are at the RG position. Who will fill that spot? John Greco? An FA? How about Brandon "Paint Face" Carter?
Brandon Carter, if you look at him, looks like he belongs in the WWE. He is a massive giant that plays with intense ferocity. He has incredible strength and size and is a mauler. But, he also has good feet and quickness for a man his size. He is not a statue. Alongside Veldheer and Jason Brown, Brandon Carter would give us a HUGE right side on our O-Line. Steven Jackson will be jumping for joy when he gets to run behind these three and Mike Karney next year.
Round 7: James Starks [6'2, 215lbs.] RB Buffalo
Analysis: I feel sorry for Steven Jackson. He needs some other RB's to spell him out occasionally, and with the combination of Chris Ogby and James Starks, we could have a solid RB system.
James "Proto Man" Starks is the heart and soul of the Buffalo team. Led the offense basically by himself.
He is a good, tough runner, and he can catch very well for an RB. His stock plummeted when he missed this entire season with a shoulder injury.
Round 7: O'Brien Schofield [6'3, 235lbs.] OLB Wisconsin
Analysis: Another pass rush specialist! Holy moly, Spagnuolo is licking his chops! But, this specialist will probably not play his rookie year, due to his ACL tear.
O'Brien Schofield was a monster in the Big Ten, terrorizing every quarterback. He was projected to go as early as the second round this year, but he unfortunately tore his ACL during the Senior Bowl.
He is too small to play DE in the NFL, and he probably will play OLB. He did not play OLB in college, but he looked solid playing OLB and MLB during the Senior Bowl.
In Review:
In this draft, we focused on two main important things. Jump starting our offense, and bringing in players with the ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks.
For offense we added:
Sam Bradford - QB of the future for a decade and a half
Golden Tate - Explosive WR with the ability to be a #1 WR
Jared Veldheer - Mammoth lineman, and future RT
Jimmy Graham - Very athletic TE and huge redzone target
Brandon Carter - Huge lineman who is a mauler. Should figure into the RG competition.
James Starks - Back-up running back to Jackson. Great catcher.
For defense we added:
Austen Lane - Our new RDE starter. Pass rushing freak.
Myron Lewis - Nickel Corner or #2 Corner, OR safety. Big and physical.
Kavell Conner - Should be one of our OLB starters.
Brandon Sharpe - Should play on passing downs, and is a pass rush specialist.
O'Brien Schofield - Another pass rush specialist, and has the ability to be a future OLB starter.
Roster -
QB: Bradford
HB: Jackson / Obgy / Starks
FB: Karney
WR: Tate / Avery / Amendola / Foster
WR: Robinson / Gibson / Burton / Kent
TE: Graham / Fells / Bajema
LT: Smith
LG: Bell
C: Brown
RG: Carter-Greco
RT: Veldheer
LDE: Long / Sharpe
RDE: Lane / Sharpe
DT: Ryan / Scott
DT: Robbins / Scott
OLB: Conner
MLB: Laurinaitis
OLB: Vobora-O'Brien Schofield
CB: Bartell / Lewis
CB: Fletcher / King
FS: Atogwe(?)
SS: Butler
K: Brown
P: Jones
Input, questions, compliments, complaints, rants welcomed.
Round 1: Sam Bradford [6'4, 236lbs.] QB Oklahoma
Analysis: Some people desperately seek reasons to make them believe that Bradford will not succeed. "Oh, it's his shoulder." "He's a spread-system guy." "His arm-strength is bad." "I have a gut feeling about this guy, and it's not good."
Well, let me state this. Bradford's shoulder is now almost 100%, and there are no lingering effects. He is also not a spread guy only. He has played under center enough times that he is comfortable with it. And, didn't the same people have gut feelings about Matt Ryan being a bust?
Bradford has all the tools to be a Pro-Bowl QB in this league. It's time for the Rams to start playing high level football again, by securing our future at QB for the next decade and a half.
I do not want to bag on Suh to make Bradford seem better. Suh is an amazing prospect for a DT, and throughout the season, I wanted him too. Hell, I wouldn't mind if we grab him in April. BUT, Bradford to me is the better and more logical choice if we are building towards the future.
Round 2: Golden Tate [5'11, 195lbs.] WR Notre Dame
Analysis: (Following Mike Mayock's mock draft, he has Tate dropping out of the first round.) It's time to bring in some fresh blood. Bradford needs to have success early in his career, so he will have a great start. If rookie QB's face a lot of adversary during their first couple of years in the NFL, there chances of later succeeding is dropped. That is why we are bringing in the dynamic Tate.
Golden Tate brings along his package of speed, agility, explosiveness, and big play ability. He is absolutely intense after the catch, racking up huge Y.A.C. Is very intelligent, and is a good leader. He is also a natural competitor. Great work ethic. He would not be a slacker that quits, (ala Mike Williams).
Round 3: Austen Lane [6'6, 275lbs.] DE Murray State
Analysis: This benefits us in two huge, direct ways. Lane gives us a terror on the RDE side. The other is that this allows Chris Long to shift to the LDE side, giving him more productivity.
Lane is a huge pass rushing machine. Great first step, and has a knack for sacking the QB. He is disruptive, and he is strong. He is also a powerful tackler. The one knock on him is that he needs to improve his run-stopping, but that shouldn't be too much of a problem. We have a huge need for getting to the opposing QB, and Lane fills that need solidly.
Round 3: Jared Veldheer [6'8, 312lbs.] OT Hillsdale
Analysis: With the drafting of Jared Veldheer, our offensive line should basically be complete. We have Jason Smith at LT, Jacob Bell at LG, Jason Brown at C, John Greco or someone else at RG, and Jared Veldheer at RT.
Jared Veldheer is an imposing figure on the line with his 6'8 frame. He's very athletic, very strong, and is a physical freak. He is a bit raw, but he should quickly develop into a stud right tackle. He is a incredibly hard worker, and shows great character.
Round 4: Jimmy Graham [6'6, 260lbs.] TE Miami
Analysis: One weapon for rookie QB Bradford is not going to cut it. We need more. And that is why we bring in explosive Jimmy Graham.
Before the combine, Graham was known as a bit of a project but with tons of upside and potential because he was mainly a basketball player. Now that is not the case. He showed that he was a natural tight end during the drills, displaying fluid motions, and looked more like an elite TE than the majority of the TE class. He is also very fast for a TE.
Graham has all the physical tools and athleticism to be an elite TE in the NFL. He would also give us a huge redzone target that has the ability to leap over other defenders.
Round 5: Myron Lewis [6'2, 203lbs.] CB/FS Vanderbilt
Analysis: Our secondary is not in great shape. Atogwe coming back is questionable. James Butler is decent, but not great. Bartell and Fletcher are good corners, but we don't have anyone behind them.
Myron Lewis is a HUGE defensive back. Standing at 6'2, offenses have trouble creating mismatches off him. Can line up on taller receivers and not be abused. Is a physical corner, and has the potential to be an elite press corner in the NFL with his size. He is also a very durable corner. Has been a starter since he was a sophmore, so he has had plenty of experience.
Round 5: Kavell Conner [6'1, 242lbs.] OLB Clemson
Analysis: We have one great prospect linebacker in James Laurinaitis. Sadly, he doesn't have a very good supporting crew beside him. Paris Lenon is very mediocre, and David Vobora is also not a standout talent, but unlike Lenon, Vobora has the potential to be very solid and is still developing. Considering he was Mr. Irrelevant, I think we hit the gold on Vobora.
Conner is a solid, consistent tackler much like Laurinaitis. Is very strong and durable for a guy his size. Again like James, he is not the most athletic linebacker in the world, and won't make many big plays. He is more of a classic linebacker. He is solid, he is a good run stopper, and he can play the pass effectively. He will get the job done.
Round 6: Brandon Sharpe [6'3, 255lbs.] DE/OLB Texas Tech
Analysis: Our team lacks pass rush. That is one of the main reasons why our secondary is left on an island during every game. We've brought in Austen Lane from Murray State already. But, I don't think that's enough.
And here comes Brandon Sharpe. People question what he is. Is he a DE? He wouldn't be a bad one. He isn't that undersized. Some people think he's a 3-4 OLB. Again, he wouldn't be a bad one. How about a 4-3 OLB? Who knows.
But, the main reason we are drafting him is for his pass rushing skills. No matter where he lines up, he always has a knack for getting to the QB. He's not the fastest, or strongest guy, but he is a pass rush specialist. A defense filled with Brandon Sharpe, Chris Long and Austen Lane as pass rushers with Kavell Conner and Laurinaitis backing them would wreak havoc on opposing offenses. Steve Spagnuolo will have no problem finding at permanent home for Sharpe on this team.
Round 6: Brandon Carter [6'7, 320lbs.] OG Texas Tech
Analysis: Woo boy. Another Tech player. Another Brandon. But, this one is basically doubled the size of the other one (not literally).
With the addition of Veldheer, our RT spot is secure. The only place where we have questions are at the RG position. Who will fill that spot? John Greco? An FA? How about Brandon "Paint Face" Carter?
Brandon Carter, if you look at him, looks like he belongs in the WWE. He is a massive giant that plays with intense ferocity. He has incredible strength and size and is a mauler. But, he also has good feet and quickness for a man his size. He is not a statue. Alongside Veldheer and Jason Brown, Brandon Carter would give us a HUGE right side on our O-Line. Steven Jackson will be jumping for joy when he gets to run behind these three and Mike Karney next year.
Round 7: James Starks [6'2, 215lbs.] RB Buffalo
Analysis: I feel sorry for Steven Jackson. He needs some other RB's to spell him out occasionally, and with the combination of Chris Ogby and James Starks, we could have a solid RB system.
James "Proto Man" Starks is the heart and soul of the Buffalo team. Led the offense basically by himself.
He is a good, tough runner, and he can catch very well for an RB. His stock plummeted when he missed this entire season with a shoulder injury.
Round 7: O'Brien Schofield [6'3, 235lbs.] OLB Wisconsin
Analysis: Another pass rush specialist! Holy moly, Spagnuolo is licking his chops! But, this specialist will probably not play his rookie year, due to his ACL tear.
O'Brien Schofield was a monster in the Big Ten, terrorizing every quarterback. He was projected to go as early as the second round this year, but he unfortunately tore his ACL during the Senior Bowl.
He is too small to play DE in the NFL, and he probably will play OLB. He did not play OLB in college, but he looked solid playing OLB and MLB during the Senior Bowl.
In Review:
In this draft, we focused on two main important things. Jump starting our offense, and bringing in players with the ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks.
For offense we added:
Sam Bradford - QB of the future for a decade and a half
Golden Tate - Explosive WR with the ability to be a #1 WR
Jared Veldheer - Mammoth lineman, and future RT
Jimmy Graham - Very athletic TE and huge redzone target
Brandon Carter - Huge lineman who is a mauler. Should figure into the RG competition.
James Starks - Back-up running back to Jackson. Great catcher.
For defense we added:
Austen Lane - Our new RDE starter. Pass rushing freak.
Myron Lewis - Nickel Corner or #2 Corner, OR safety. Big and physical.
Kavell Conner - Should be one of our OLB starters.
Brandon Sharpe - Should play on passing downs, and is a pass rush specialist.
O'Brien Schofield - Another pass rush specialist, and has the ability to be a future OLB starter.
Roster -
QB: Bradford
HB: Jackson / Obgy / Starks
FB: Karney
WR: Tate / Avery / Amendola / Foster
WR: Robinson / Gibson / Burton / Kent
TE: Graham / Fells / Bajema
LT: Smith
LG: Bell
C: Brown
RG: Carter-Greco
RT: Veldheer
LDE: Long / Sharpe
RDE: Lane / Sharpe
DT: Ryan / Scott
DT: Robbins / Scott
OLB: Conner
MLB: Laurinaitis
OLB: Vobora-O'Brien Schofield
CB: Bartell / Lewis
CB: Fletcher / King
FS: Atogwe(?)
SS: Butler
K: Brown
P: Jones
Input, questions, compliments, complaints, rants welcomed.
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