Dave Martin - AP
Alabama's Trent Richardson is a player to keep your eye on in the 2012 NFL Draft given the St. Louis Rams' coaches recent comments.
Prediction is not the value in a 2012 NFL mock draft. The real beauty of the drafts is to generate discussion, dialog about the prospects and the teams that might consider drafting them. We all know that the St. Louis Rams need a receiver, a tackle and a heaping helping of talent all over the roster. Running back is a priority too, a player to complement Steven Jackson and take over in case of injury or the realities of the business.
This mock draft from the NFL Spin Zone (where's the NFL no-spin zone?), supposes the Rams trade down with the Browns to pick number four. With that pick the Rams select Alabama running back Trent Richardson, over Justin Blackmon, Morris Claiborne or any of the offensive tackles on the board after Kalil.
We need to start keeping an open mind about that possibility. Here's why.
New head coach Jeff Fisher and his offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer made it pretty clear that, first things first, they intend to run the ball and develop a tough offensive line.
Fisher drafted Chris Johnson in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft, with the 24th pick. He drafted Johnson in spite of having second-year running back LenDale White, a second-round pick in 2006, coming a season with 1,110 rushing yards.
A complementary pairing? Sure. White and CJ2K combined for 451 carries in 2008; Johnson had 251 of those carries. The next year, Johnson had 358 carries to White's 64. That same year they also drafted Javon Ringer in the fifth round. White was gone after that season.
Fisher has only drafted a running back once in the first round since Eddie George was the Oilers' first-round pick in 1996. He does have a history of replenishing his depth chart at running back, and with Steven Jackson turning 29 and having more than a 1,000 touches in the last three seasons, it's time to get a backup that can take over should the need arise.
The former regime at Rams Park had Alabama's Mark Ingram very high on their draft board last year, so high, in fact, that he was a very distinct possibility had Robert Quinn not fallen to the 14th spot.
Fisher has also taken a receiver in the first round, Kenny Britt with the 30th pick in 2009. He's leaned heavily in favor of defensive players throughout his draft history.
All of which is a really long winded way of saying don't bet against Trent Richardson being high up on the Rams draft board this year. I highly doubt he would be the pick at number two, but if the Rams do trade down, keep an eye on the situation. Anything can happen.
0 recs | 89 comments
I'm suddenly not feeling good
Anybody got some Emetrol?
3k - January 27, 2012
Looks around
how bout some Harvadol
dbcouver - January 27, 2012
How bout some tussin?
CaliRamMan - January 27, 2012
Rub some tussin on dat shit.
DuhhhRams! - January 27, 2012
Ah go take a midol and shut up hahaha
Rammon105 - January 28, 2012
No!!
Brick Top - January 27, 2012
^this
Why is the almost always how the Rams make me feel in the draft?
King Sam Rules! - January 27, 2012 via mobile
And I've only been here for two years!
Have they always been this bad at making you think “wtf are they doing!?!?!”
King Sam Rules! - January 27, 2012 via mobile
It's happend pretty often over the last 10 years or so.
DuhhhRams! - January 27, 2012
Its possible they will take him, yes
Its also possible that they only do that if they are gonna trade Steven (not likely). It’s also possible it would be idiotic, because that is taking a RB 3 spots ahead of where Adrian (who is so much better than Richardson IMO it’s stupid) was picked when it’s unarguably a passing league
King Sam Rules! - January 27, 2012 via mobile
Even if they trade down farther, it's a team with a million holes drafting a RB way higher than you draft that position nowadays
King Sam Rules! - January 27, 2012 via mobile
I agree, that's way too high to take Richardson.
In fact, Johnson fell to the Titans when they drafted him. He was a steal in the 20’s like Jackson was for us. I don’t think anybody in their right mind would take Richardson in the top 10.
Pekka for Predator Pontiff - January 27, 2012
Agreed!
Quality RBs can be found pretty easily outside the 1st round these days. We need to address WR, OL, OLB or DT in the first found, IMO. Maybe even CB.
DuhhhRams! - January 27, 2012
+1
Pekka for Predator Pontiff - January 27, 2012
Glad you have no say in the matter , I like to get a RB with the first pick and im sure Fisher will see it the same way
Rammon105 - January 28, 2012
watch this 2011 rams highlight video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A634RpmfU9Q&feature=youtu.be
Deu - January 27, 2012
@29 seconds.. reasons we might take richardson lol
this is a good vid tho
Ram_Redemption - January 27, 2012
This is why I don't like
highlight video to judge players. They can make you feel that aplqayer is good when they really suck.
Ramfan4life - January 27, 2012
a player
Ramfan4life - January 27, 2012
I'm actually not against the idea of the Rams drafting Richardson, but...
This particular draft seems to be pretty deep at RB. The Rams could get a good change of pace back in the 3rd or 4th round this year IMO.
OkieWXman - January 27, 2012
Oh, and so, I saw this mock draft
and aside from the 1st round (because who knows what will happen with trades and such), I really really like this mock for the Rams: http://www.draftsite.com/nfl/mock-draft/2012 Very good later round picks IMO.
OkieWXman - January 27, 2012
no thanks. JMO tho
Ram_Redemption - January 27, 2012
Honestly as long as we get out top ten prospect
Whether it be blackmon reiff kalil claiborne richardson or whoever..as long as we get a crap load of picks idc. any elite player plus picks is better than just an elite player.
Ram_Redemption - January 27, 2012 via mobile
There is
There is no #1 pick running backs this year; if we could pick Richardson in the forth around I’d take him.
JW Coop - January 27, 2012
I doubt richardson will slip out of the 2nd round.
I don’t think we should take him though. SJAX is still a beast, and we are desperate for help at WR, OL, DT and OLB. It would make no sense to take a RB when we already have a top tier RB in place.
DuhhhRams! - January 27, 2012
It's a Mock
No worries, the Rams will not Draft Trent Richardson over Kalil, Blackmon or Claiborne. If the Rams trade with the Browns expect both first rounders to go to the Rams. If that does happen, then maybe just maybe if Trent falls dows to what is it 21st pick? They might get him but expect our first pick to be either Kalil if he is there or Blackmon, if the Rams get Boackmon expect them to draft one of the other tackles possibly the kid from Ohio or Stanfdord.
laramsfn - January 27, 2012
Better not
dbcouver - January 27, 2012
This Would Be An Interesting
Transaction. It is certainly not out of the realm of possibility. SJAX, Mike Tolbert, Chris Rainey, Trent Richardson, could make for an interesting backfield. I’m not against the idea.
ValdezY - January 27, 2012
my best guess as of right now
is we draft a lineman in the first. either on offense or defense. if we stick with the 2nd pick it would be kalil. if we trade it may be another tackle or even a defensive tackle. i think fish builds the line first and works his way out from there.
defense takes priority with him but we have to shore up the o-line first. winning for any team begins with the o-line. it is the key to winning games. it makes holes for backs to run through. it gives the qb time to find the open man. it gives the receivers time to get open.
it gives the defense much needed rest so they are fresh for the 4th quarter.
sound familiar?
hbwb - January 27, 2012
yes, it sounds familiar
but does Fish think he could get MORE out of our existing O-Line? is that possible?
DevsLaRams - January 27, 2012
oh no doubt he will
i think if they had a good o-line coach last year things would be much different and we would not be picking 2nd. maybe somewhere north of 10, but maybe not. we did have a killer schedule first half. but the first few games could have went either way. we just had bad luck all the way around.
hbwb - January 27, 2012
and thats why i think we wont be drafting an OT
this draft will show us what he thinks about our O line
DevsLaRams - January 27, 2012
maybe maybe not
even if the coaches get the line to play much better that will not happen before the draft will it? also smith’s concussion history says we need another tackle and good ones do not usually wind up in the fa pool.
from what i have read of kalil he is the top prospect that is not a qb in this draft.
i really think we trade the pick for multi picks. that would make the most sense. that is also my preference.
hbwb - January 27, 2012
This OL was coached up
about as far as it could go. They were seriously bad, not just lacking a tweak or two in order to pick up the slack. When Goldberg comes in and is more consistent at RT than your starter, who is truly a bust at that position, we have a big problem. Saffold didn’t play nearly as well against stepped up competition and is probably better suited at RT than the blind side. It didn’t matter who would’ve played at QB or WR, there wasn’t any time for the plays to develop before the QB was crushed.
This team needs to address the OL in serious fashion or a whole WR corp filled with Justin Blackmons is not going to make any difference to the debacle of last season.
Guitpik - January 29, 2012
I don't know about Richards
i’ll have to ask Jswirb what he thinks
DevsLaRams - January 27, 2012
Yea if we can get him at 22
Blackmon at one and Richardson at 22. Perfect situation. Imagine if Richardson falls to the Broncos. The option attack with Tebow and Richardson and the deep threats would be a scary combo
MyACLisBrittle - January 27, 2012
One of these years I'd like to see the Rams have a draft that I can say "pretty good draft!" after
sergey606 - January 27, 2012
"pretty good draft!" in may is worth nothing...
“pretty good draft!”, 5 years down the road, is what you need.
Le Ram - January 27, 2012
well i haven't said either
sergey606 - January 27, 2012
I'd be happy with a draft that I don't end up saying "What a fucking bust" in 1 of the first 3 rounds.
DuhhhRams! - January 27, 2012
That's no shit
same with Sergeyes comment above. I’m tired of not feeling like we did well in the draft.
dbcouver - January 27, 2012
If he is the Rams' BPA when it's their turn in the 1st rd
I say go for it. I’d rather them draft a player who they are confident will be a stud, than a player with more question marks at a position of more pressing need. Outside of a few positions, I believe the Rams need to draft the BPA, period.
mcihaelT - January 27, 2012
+1
Le Ram - January 27, 2012
If the BPA is not needed
then trade down. If possible…
Le Ram - January 27, 2012
Right
But outside of only a few positions, there is need. Varying degrees of “need”, but need nonetheless.
mcihaelT - January 27, 2012
SJAX's odometer reading
SJAX’s odometer reading is rivaling my 1996 Toyota Tacoma which will hit 380,000 miles today. That being said, I wouldn’t draft Richardson with pick 2 or 4 in the first round. Draft Doug Martin, Chris Polk or LeMichael James in Round 2 or 3. One of these guys could split carries with Jackson in 2012 and then become the feature back in 2013.
Mister T - January 27, 2012
Hell no!
RG31 - January 27, 2012 via mobile
It won't be Richardson.
We didn’t higher all these new coaches to stack a certain position.
We will priority draft per most needed talent.
RB is Not our weakest position.
Blackmon will be our priority over Trent.
And we all know that we really need Kalil.
Go Rams!
look closer - January 27, 2012
The 1st 2 rounds will be critical to the future of this organization.
look closer - January 27, 2012
Very much so.
If we can get some solid starting players in 2-3 of our desperation areas (WR, OL, DT, OLB) then it’ll be a huge boost for the team as a whole. If we can get some steals in the later rounds at positions like CB, RB, TE or a solid return man, it could be great.
DuhhhRams! - January 27, 2012
I thought
Nick Miller did a good job returning for us. I say give him a chance. He’s fairly cheap but runs like deer. All other needs you mentioned are duly noted.
MOOSERAM13 - January 27, 2012
he had that 1 TD return, but after that I wouldn't say he was any better than Salas or Amendola.
I’d rather try to find a stud like Hester/Ginn/Cribbs that can be a great return man and even help out a bit on offense. Miller will get his chance in the pre-season/training camps though, so we’ll see.
DuhhhRams! - January 27, 2012
One return yes
But if Amendola and Salas are going to be in the mix for receiving duties, let’s don’t get them beat up returning. I don’t think we could afford any of those three with no cap to speak of.
MOOSERAM13 - January 27, 2012
Remember
The big advantage this year is free agency comes first. We really need to wait and see what upgrades and cuts happen before the draft. There will be plenty of time for debate about draft choices. How about, “What free agents do we want, or can afford, before we draft?”
MOOSERAM13 - January 27, 2012
this year not many good FAs we can afford, seeing that our cap at the moment is only around 10 million.
So the draft is going to be very important this year. We need to pick up at least 2-3 solid starters in the draft this year. In 2013, when we have a shit ton of cap space (~43 mil) then we can try to pick up a couple studs in the FA.
DuhhhRams! - January 27, 2012
We're rebuilding again
We can’t be expected to fix everything in one year. You’re right, $10 mil doesn’t go far these days. We will certainly pick up 2-3 good starters in this draft. If we get the trade for number two that we want, we will have three picks in the first 33. Good chance for good players.
MOOSERAM13 - January 27, 2012
Yeah I know we can't fix everything in one year.
But we need 2-3 good starters and our guys to stay healthy if we even want to be competitive this coming year.
DuhhhRams! - January 27, 2012
Let's trust in the new regime.
I have the utmost confidence that this year we will be cheering instead of crying when the draft is on.
MOOSERAM13 - January 27, 2012
That'd be great if we didn't hear it before like during the last 3 years....
Right now I trust me
dbcouver - January 27, 2012
oops I mean
I trust me
Got my scenes mixed up
dbcouver - January 27, 2012
Kiper made a great point yesterday
you don’t need to draft a back high anymore, look at Starks and Foster to name a couple. Some backs can go undrafted and still put up good numbers. I think this would be a wasted pick for the rams
sergey606 - January 27, 2012
On the button
Backs can be had late in the draft.
MOOSERAM13 - January 27, 2012
The key to the draft
Is scouting and coaching. Good coaching in the college ranks, good scouting by the pros and then good coaching when they get up here.
MOOSERAM13 - January 27, 2012
The best thing about the Rams draft this year? Not having Billy Devaney involved in it, in any way, shape or form...
I’m pretty much certain that the days of drafting one, maybe two, good players in the whole draft have finally gone. At least this year we’re not looking to get rid of four rookies by the time week one rolls around.
JoolzMF - January 27, 2012 via mobile
HA,HA!! Ain't that the truth.
MOOSERAM13 - January 27, 2012
Richardson isnt worth the number 4 pick....
I would go after Blackmon at 4 then with the 22nd pick I would either grab a Tackle or Defensive player (CB,DT,OLB). There is a chance we could get a solid tackle prospect with our 2nd round pick. If it looks like we can still get one of the following (Reiff,Martin,Adams) with the first pick of day 2, I would consider going defense with the 22nd. Here is a report via Rotoworld on Adams, his stock has shot up quite a bit this week at Mobile, I have heard nothing but great things about him all week. This years class has some good talent at Tackle, if we go skill player with the 4th we can still possibly get a solid Tackle at 22nd or round 2.
“Numerous NFL scouts” told Sporting News’ Russ Lande that they view Ohio State LT Mike Adams as a superior prospect to Iowa LT Riley Reiff after Adams’ Senior Bowl performance in Mobile.
Per Lande, Adams entered the week viewed as a third-round prospect but moved at least into the second round and perhaps into the back end of the first. Reiff is NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock’s top-rated tackle for 2012. Mayock has Matt Kalil (USC) second, Jonathan Martin (Stanford) third, and Adams fourth.
jpcisco - January 27, 2012
Could also be...
A deflection. Scouts tend to overemphasize players to change the order of where players are picked. Mike Mayock is at the Senior Bowl practices and hasn’t changed his mind.
MOOSERAM13 - January 27, 2012
Yea but Mayock has Reiff over Kalil...
I think everybody agrees Kalil is the best tackle by far in the draft. I am not really here to argue the rankings, what I am saying is it is possible to get a solid tackle at 22nd or even first pick of round 2 regardless of who the player is. If there are not enough tackle needy teams that want to spend a first round pick on one, we have a shot to land a solid Tackle late first or early second. Whether that be Reiff,Adams, or Martin.
jpcisco - January 27, 2012
I wouldn't
Care if we drafted Trent Richardson. We can start building for the future. When marshall was in the backfield then we didn’t need SJax then, but we drafted him and now look we were set when marshall left. Now it’s SJax turn don’t get me wrong SJax still has it, but if we get trent either in the first or second i wouldn’t complain we still got more draft picks we can choose from. Even though if we have to pick up late draft picks we still don’t know how they will play at the NFL level. Just because they didn’t go first dosen’t mean anything. Long as it’s helping us in the future im all for it.
J-RAD2 - January 27, 2012 via mobile
I would be ok with drafting Richardson maybe at 22, but would not touch him with a top 10 pick...
You can find starting caliber RB’s for much cheaper later in the draft. I would like to see the Rams go after Lamicheal James in maybe round 3-5. Schotty said he wants a third down back and I think James can take some pressure off of Sjax. Spend our 1-2 round picks on positions we REALLY need.
jpcisco - January 27, 2012
I'm still on the polk wagon
his stock has been dropping too
sergey606 - January 27, 2012
Yea I like Polk as well...
I think the scouts were worried because he put on some weight between the end of the season and the Senior Bowl. I hope his stock drops and we can get him later in the draft. He has alot of potential.
jpcisco - January 27, 2012
Polk is a good back
There is another up and comer that will be starting for Washington this coming year. His name is Jesse Callier. I watched him as a tailback and corner at Warren High School in Downey, California. Very explosive.
MOOSERAM13 - January 27, 2012
God damnit, Polk left is getting replaced by a good back
LMJ left now Black Mamba replaces him, fml.
Wish Quizz was replaced by a stud back, Agnew isn’t too hot right now, hope he improves
sergey606 - January 27, 2012
My wife went to High school in Downey
you know who else did? Stacey Peterson.
dbcouver - January 27, 2012
The prohlem is running backs are not valued as they once were
Trent Richardson is great, but no backup or even split time guy is worth that high of a pick when starter calibre players can be found
Eric Nagel - January 27, 2012 via mobile
RB's not valued as they once were
I think it depends on the coach. We know that Fisher likes to run the ball. It also means that a good running back might slip down the draft board a little but some teams will trade up to get a good back (case in point, San Diego trading up to draft Ryan Matthews). Last year, some really good backs were drafted later in the draft, Demarco Murray and Roy Helu come to mind.
Mister T - January 27, 2012
The Nebraska R Helu, went in the ....
5th round, just prior to our pick in that round
VETT - January 28, 2012
You have to take the best player on the board if thats RB so be it
Rammon105 - January 28, 2012
I see were you
Guys are coming from, but were not drafting a back up were drafting are future feature back. For LaMichael James I don’t see him able to take the controls from SJax at all. I see LaMichael as a change of pace not an every down. Richardson has all the tools to be an every down. I wouldn’t complain if we were to get TRich.
J-RAD2 - January 27, 2012 via mobile
I never said James was going to be Stl's future feature back..
I said that Schotty came out and said he wants a two back system. Feature back and Third down/Speed guy. James fits the third down role. He could also handle a few carries if Sjax gets winded. We have sooo many holes to fill at the moment I think spending a first round pick on a RB at this point in time would be a waste. We have other positions that need to be addressed asap, Sjax still has 1-2 years left in him atleast. We can grab someone who will help spell Sjax occasionally and be a weapon to Bradford out of the backfield. Then maybe in a year or two go after the guy to replace Sjax.
jpcisco - January 27, 2012
So I'm watching Snatch, is that where Brick Top got his nickname?
sergey606 - January 27, 2012
I got it b/c I originally just had a profile with my name, but then I wanted a nickname
so I made a fan post to ask people for suggestions and then put the best in a poll and Brick Top won. From what I hear it’s from a movie.
Brick Top - January 27, 2012
what would've happened if a shitty name won?
DCRamFan - January 27, 2012
I didn't let the really shitty ones be in the poll LOL
Brick Top - January 27, 2012
it's from Snatch man, just watched it today
sergey606 - January 27, 2012
you gotta watch 'Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels'
if you haven’t yet
DCRamFan - January 27, 2012
Never seen it but love the name
dbcouver - January 27, 2012
RG3
RG3is the sure pick that would work for the Rams. I think trading ur pick to trade down is a smart move when the Rams have a chance to pick a for sure thing. Dont blow it Rams!!
REDANT - January 28, 2012
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