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2009
NFL Draft Needs - St. Louis Rams
by Gregory Cox
Senior Writer
4/22/09
Picks (7): 2, 35, 66, 103, 160, 196, 212
Offensive Tackle – They are really in trouble at the tackle
spots. It is one thing to lose mainstay Orlando Pace, who was released
and signed with Chicago. Now the problem is compounded by even thinking
of moving former first round pick Alex Barron to the left side in a
contract year. If he does halfway decent he will demand to be overpaid,
and up until this point of his career he has done nothing to
demonstrate he can be a dominant force on the left side. He can barely
hold up starting on the right side. If that is the plan Adam Goldberg
will take the starting spot at right tackle.
Middle Linebacker – The situation outside improves with Will
Weatherspoon changing positions. Unfortunately that opens up a huge
hole in the middle. Their projected starter is Chris Draft who is 33
and simply the best available man on the roster. They need to get their
hands on someone who can handle an important spot on the defense and
there are a limited number of rookies who appear ready. Will any of
them be available for them in the second round?
Wide Receiver – Let’s just say the Greatest Show on Turf is a
thing of the past. This group of receivers is not even worthy of a
nickname. Longtime stud Torry Holt (released) is gone because he is too
old and paid too much to be on a team going nowhere. Drew Bennett
(released) is out after two seasons as a free agent signing bust.
Rookie Donnie Avery, who stunned the draft community by being the first
receiver off the board early in round 2 last year, is a bright spot. He
finished with 53 receptions for 674 yards which are good numbers for a
first year player. The transition is not easy at the position in
general, and especially coming out of Houston from Conference USA.
Fellow rookie Keenan Burton, a fourth round pick from Kentucky, saw
some action on the field as well. He will be counted on more than a
young middle round selection usually would because there are no better
options available. A quiet deal was struck to acquire Laurent Robinson
(Falcons). He was unable to produce in Atlanta as a third round pick in
2007, but because current St. Louis general manager Billy Devaney was
in that organization when the Robinson was taken he obviously saw
something. Hamstring issues ruined his 2008 season and at this point it
is unclear what he can bring to the table. This team is in need of a
solid #1 to play on the outside and will be taking a shot at finding
one early in the draft.
Defensive Tackle – This defense could not stop the run. Teams
piled up almost 2,500 rushing yards against them in 2008. Sure, Adam
Carriker and Clifton Ryan are developing young players from the 2007
draft, but at what point do you start to plan in case they never become
great? I think the time is now considering their lack of effectiveness
at job #1 which is stopping the run. The situation outside at end is in
decent shape anchored by young stud Chris Long although Leonard Little
and James Hall could be retiring soon. I would expect to see them take
another shot at an impact interior player. It takes three who can play
to really get the job done and I am not seeing it on their roster.
Center – Quantity was swapped for quality with the acquisition
of Jason Brown (Ravens) and departures of Nick Leckey (Saints) and
Brett Romberg (Falcons). Backup center is not a crucial need until your
starter gets hurt. Then panic sets in. Guard Richie Incognito, who has
been been tendered as a restricted free agent, has the ability to play
the position in a pinch. Another versatile guard/center type sounds
like a good idea to me late in the draft, but it is worth noting there
is definitely some youth available at guard on this roster after John
Greco (third round) and Roy Schuening (fifth round) were taken last
year. This could mean a straight center is sought in the rookie free
agent pool. It is just something to consider for insurance because this
line has struggled so much overall.
Michael
Abromowitz's 2009 NFL Mock
Draft - 7 rounds
Gregory Cox's 2009 NFL Mock
Draft - 6 rounds
Jared Donnelly's 2009 NFL Mock Draft
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