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03.12.2010 1:48 pm
Where will Rams find WR help?
By Roger Hensley
THE WATERCOOLER
QUESTION: Suh or Bradford? McCoy or Claussen? There’s a lot of talk about the Rams No. 1 pick. But this is a team, obviously, with many needs and one big one is at WR. It’s pretty well established the Rams aren’t reaching for a WR at No. 1. How soon do you think they seek out a WR in the draft and who are some of the top-rated ones that could still be available from the second round and beyond? Or, are there still any viable free agent WRs out there the Rams should be trying to secure?
JIM THOMAS
The Rams are in a tough spot when it comes to upgrading at wide receiver. With the limited unrestricted free agent pool due to the uncapped year, there was very little available. Nate Burleson and Antonio Bryant got nice contracts, but they’re not No. 1 receivers or difference makers. Terrell Owens is still out there – never mind his antics, he’s on the decline and no longer an elite player. Denver’s Brandon Marshall is a restricted free agent, but comes with tons of baggage, and right now the Broncos want a first-round draft pick as compensation. As far as the draft, there are a lot of good receivers, but don’t seem to be many great ones. Finding one that can be a clear upgrade is the challenge.
BRYAN BURWELL
History shows that when it comes to the free-agent wide receiver market, let the buyer beware because the ones available don’t prove to be worth the money. So the answer will come from the draft, and there will be some interesting prospects there in the second and third rounds. Will Notre Dame’s Golden Tate slide into the second round? Will Cincy’s Mardy Gilyard fall into the third round now that he improved his 40 time at his pro day?
BILL COATS
The Rams could pick a wide receiver as early as the second round, but I think it’s more likely in the third or fourth. If it’s the third, Arrelious Benn (6-1, 219) of Illinois and/or Brandon LeFell (6-3, 211) of LSU might still be available. I don’t see any free agents that would fill that “go-to” wideout spot, although a couple (Laveranues Coles? David Clowney?) might help them depth-wise.
KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)
The Rams have bodies at the WR position, they just don’t have a difference maker. If the guys available when they draft aren’t potential No. 1 receivers then there would be almost no point in taking them. They’d be just like Donnie Avery, Laurent Robinson, et al.
Golden Tate and Dez Bryant figure to be off the board before the Rams pick at No. 33 but if one slips, more likely Bryant because of perceptions about his personality, then you’d have to take him. Arrelious Benn (6’1” 219) of Illinois and Demaryius Thomas (6’3” 225) of Georgia Tech would be interesting selections at the top of the 2nd round. Thomas, in particular, is a big-time home run hitter on the outside – not that the Rams really attempt to stretch the field all that much. Possession guys like Brandon LaFell from LSU or Jordan Shipley from Texas would make some sense in the 3rd round if the team felt like addressing a different need at No. 33.
I don’t see a UFA out there who would be a significant upgrade over what the Rams already have in place.
JEFF GORDON
Sadly, the Ruvell Martin era appears over at Rams Park. So, yes, the team has an opening. The team has taken a pass at the top free agents, so help will have to come through the draft. The need at WR is another reason to move down a few spots in the first round, if possible, to add another pick.
Where will Rams find WR help?
By Roger Hensley
THE WATERCOOLER
QUESTION: Suh or Bradford? McCoy or Claussen? There’s a lot of talk about the Rams No. 1 pick. But this is a team, obviously, with many needs and one big one is at WR. It’s pretty well established the Rams aren’t reaching for a WR at No. 1. How soon do you think they seek out a WR in the draft and who are some of the top-rated ones that could still be available from the second round and beyond? Or, are there still any viable free agent WRs out there the Rams should be trying to secure?
JIM THOMAS
The Rams are in a tough spot when it comes to upgrading at wide receiver. With the limited unrestricted free agent pool due to the uncapped year, there was very little available. Nate Burleson and Antonio Bryant got nice contracts, but they’re not No. 1 receivers or difference makers. Terrell Owens is still out there – never mind his antics, he’s on the decline and no longer an elite player. Denver’s Brandon Marshall is a restricted free agent, but comes with tons of baggage, and right now the Broncos want a first-round draft pick as compensation. As far as the draft, there are a lot of good receivers, but don’t seem to be many great ones. Finding one that can be a clear upgrade is the challenge.
BRYAN BURWELL
History shows that when it comes to the free-agent wide receiver market, let the buyer beware because the ones available don’t prove to be worth the money. So the answer will come from the draft, and there will be some interesting prospects there in the second and third rounds. Will Notre Dame’s Golden Tate slide into the second round? Will Cincy’s Mardy Gilyard fall into the third round now that he improved his 40 time at his pro day?
BILL COATS
The Rams could pick a wide receiver as early as the second round, but I think it’s more likely in the third or fourth. If it’s the third, Arrelious Benn (6-1, 219) of Illinois and/or Brandon LeFell (6-3, 211) of LSU might still be available. I don’t see any free agents that would fill that “go-to” wideout spot, although a couple (Laveranues Coles? David Clowney?) might help them depth-wise.
KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)
The Rams have bodies at the WR position, they just don’t have a difference maker. If the guys available when they draft aren’t potential No. 1 receivers then there would be almost no point in taking them. They’d be just like Donnie Avery, Laurent Robinson, et al.
Golden Tate and Dez Bryant figure to be off the board before the Rams pick at No. 33 but if one slips, more likely Bryant because of perceptions about his personality, then you’d have to take him. Arrelious Benn (6’1” 219) of Illinois and Demaryius Thomas (6’3” 225) of Georgia Tech would be interesting selections at the top of the 2nd round. Thomas, in particular, is a big-time home run hitter on the outside – not that the Rams really attempt to stretch the field all that much. Possession guys like Brandon LaFell from LSU or Jordan Shipley from Texas would make some sense in the 3rd round if the team felt like addressing a different need at No. 33.
I don’t see a UFA out there who would be a significant upgrade over what the Rams already have in place.
JEFF GORDON
Sadly, the Ruvell Martin era appears over at Rams Park. So, yes, the team has an opening. The team has taken a pass at the top free agents, so help will have to come through the draft. The need at WR is another reason to move down a few spots in the first round, if possible, to add another pick.
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