Another mock draft? Yes. The most recent 2012 NFL Mock Draft is out over at SB Nation, and since I took the time to do it, it's probably worth sharing. As for what the St. Louis Rams do in this one, you may be disappointed. But there's a bigger lesson here.
In the not uncommon move seen in other mocks, the Rams draft USC offensive tackle Matt Kalil with the second pick. No trade? Nope, and here's why.
Head coach Jeff Fisher and his offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer both made it pretty clear that pass protection is a top priority for rejuvenating quarterback Sam Bradford and the Rams offense. Drafting Kalil gives them an elite pass blocker ready to go on day one. The Rams could still trade this pick, but with Washington looking like a suitor for Peyton Manning, Miami making eyes at Matt Flynn and Cleveland possibly having second thoughts about giving up draft picks, St. Louis may not have much of a market for their pick.
The market for trading up could dry out once free agency happens. As I said above, Washington could be in the market for Peyton Manning, and many expect the Dolphins to sign Matt Flynn in free agency. That takes two potential trade partners off the list.
Cleveland is a bit of an unknown. They may or may not be willing to surrender the picks in order to move up for Robert Griffin III. There's a part of me that thinks they'll hang onto the picks and take a couple different routes for the quarterback solution.
They could sign a veteran, like Kyle Orton, to pair with Colt McCoy, and use their two first round picks to address other roster needs. Cleveland has been trading down in recent drafts. They might even do it again. Keeping two top 32 picks could at least get them an offensive lineman and a wide receiver or a cornerback or whatever else they feel like would put them in contention in a tough division.
Cleveland could also wait, and take a flyer on Ryan Tannehill or another quarterback (Brandon Wheeden?) in the first-round. The point is that they don't have to trade up for Griffin, though they probably should.
What about the other quarterback-needy teams? Well, one of those teams, Seattle, is in the NFC West. They aren't going to be trading up with the Rams, their division rivals. If Cleveland, Miami and Washington are all out of the running, the Seahawks could trade with Minnesota.
There's always the possibility of a dark horse candidate. Maybe Kansas City or some other team.
Either way, it's not lock that the Rams will be trading the pick.
0 recs | 121 comments
Cleveland
ive posted this recently on another thread/article, but if washington, miami, both find QBs prior to the draft why would cleveland make a move? as long as the rams and vikings dont move, they still end up getting RG3 anyway. plus their other options, i think its very plausible that the rams will have to pick at #2. i also think it will be in their best interest to stay at #2 and draft kalil.
itsvon - February 6, 2012
But if there are no other players for trading up they won't
they are at 4 and 2 and 3 won’t take him.
Brick Top - February 6, 2012
right
thats what i was (trying to at least) saying. if they end up being the last team looking for a QB or at least seem like the last team that would trade up, then they would have no reason too. as the rams and vikings will almost 100% pass up on RG3.
itsvon - February 6, 2012
Sorry, I misread your post
Brick Top - February 6, 2012
Or will we draft RGIII
and hold him for ransom?
jmo53 - February 6, 2012 via Android app
Cleveland could still make a move
in this scenario. While the Rams would not be trade partners for the Seahawks, the Vikings surely could. If Cleveland believed Seattle could be working a deal with the Vikings and they wanted RGIII they would be forced to deal with the Rams. Just my optimistc side working!
Ramfan from Seattle - February 6, 2012
I think Miami will make a big push for Manning...
The Dolphins owner has been reported as “infatuated” with Peyton. Peyton also has a home in Miami. I think Manning goes to Miami, I remember reading the Redskins dont want really anything to do with Flynn. If Manning goes to Miami I dont think the Redskins want to put the fate of their franchise in Flynn’s hands. I see them going for RG3, if Manning winds up in Miami. That would still give us a top 10 pick plus extra draft picks if Cleveland isnt interested. If Manning goes to Washington then I see Flynn in Miami and the Rams dont have any trade partners. It will be interesting to see how things play out in FA.
Via Rotoworld
The Miami Herald reports that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is “infatuated with the idea” of signing Peyton Manning.
According to the Herald’s Barry Jackson, Ross is willing “to wait as long as necessary” for Manning after he’s released by the Colts. Manning may not be ready to sign right away — for medical or personal reasons — but Ross will be there when he is. The Dolphins reportedly believe they have a “realistic chance” of landing Manning. Earlier this week, agent Tom Condon made it clear that Manning’s $28 million March 8 bonus will not be pushed back, meaning a Dolphins deal could theoretically be in place before March 13.
jpcisco - February 6, 2012
According to the Miami Herald, free agent Matt Flynn will be the Dolphins’ No. 2 option if they fail to land Peyton Manning this offseason.
The Dolphins reportedly envision Manning as their Joe Montana, capable of “winning games, selling tickets, and becoming relevant again.” Flynn would be a more proactive acquisition if the Fins were focusing on the long term, but owner Stephen Ross is hellbent on the immediacy of Manning. If Ross’ “infatuation” with pursuing Manning ends anything like his 2011 pursuit of Jim Harbaugh, the Dolphins could conceivably miss out on Flynn, too.
jpcisco - February 6, 2012
According to the Washington Post, the Redskins “aren’t believed to have much interest” in free agent Matt Flynn.
jpcisco - February 6, 2012
I think it's way more likely we won't trade down
we’ll see how the community mock goes, but I can tell you playing the Washington GM role, I’ll have to get a pretty sweet deal to trade up. With Peyton Manning likely on market, along with Matt Flynn and other decent QBs in the draft, trading up for RG3 isn’t my strategy.
Brick Top - February 6, 2012
But wait!
What about this, or this
dbcouver - February 6, 2012
Anything is possible
But there are way to many assumptions in these scenarios to believe this will take place.
ZamRam - February 7, 2012
Oh I know
It is entertaining, though
dbcouver - February 7, 2012
Ok, let's look at this
We might trade down, or we might not. If we don’t, we get an elite pass blocker and all pro talent LT who will fix a lot of what’s wrong with the o-line
King Sam Rules! - February 6, 2012 via mobile
Exactly
As far as problems go this is a pretty good one to have
RamFan284 - February 6, 2012
Right on - If the Rams don't trade, Kalil is the pick.
Joe Mazzi - February 6, 2012
Good news, all!!!
Only 80 days, 48 minutes and 6 seconds until the NFL Draft!
Joe Mazzi - February 6, 2012
looks like
I’ll be watching the Pro Bowl 80 and 1/4 more times until then
DCRamFan - February 6, 2012
You mean
replays of SB XXXIV, right? ;)
thisguy - February 6, 2012
Nope. Pro Bowl for me...
did you see the intensity that that game was played with? I sure hope ALL of the Rams were watching!
DCRamFan - February 6, 2012
Heh
You mean that week EVERY football player took off between the divisional championships and the SB? I did notice a bit more offensive effort(that means effort by the offense, not effort that makes me ill) there than in most Rams games this season.
thisguy - February 6, 2012
Sign Vincent Jackson or Dwayne Bowe, draft Matt Kalil
Unless they want to do this, sign say Carl Nicks “IF” the Saints don’t franchise him and draft Justin Blackmon. But ending with either move is great, but it will be hard to trade out if they want someone to trade a lot of picks to get into #2 to get RG3/Kalil/Blackmon. If I were Cleveland, I’d sit tight, and hope for either RG3 or Blackmon drops to them which is a reality.
kevdogg7280 - February 6, 2012
I'd rather make a play at Desean Jackson
Than Vincent. VJ is almost 30 and we don’t really want an aging player (he’ll be around 34-35 depending on the deal he wants, probably a 5+ year deal). DJ is younger & has that deep threat ability we need. Plus with his debacle in Philly, I think he’d come on the cheaper side.
EddieP - February 6, 2012 via mobile
i dont know
desean jackson seems to be a different player today than he was a couple years ago. sure, i like him more than the current options. i just dont think id like him more than vincent jackson.
itsvon - February 6, 2012
we need some one top notch at WR thats for sure at least one and keep floyd
Rammon105 - February 7, 2012
Sign Colston and add Courtland Finnegan if possible
Add Kalil in the draft
King Sam Rules! - February 6, 2012 via mobile
I know there was some
‘how about Manningham’ talk prior to last night. I don’t see that happenin now…
DCRamFan - February 6, 2012
just curious
why do you think that?
itsvon - February 6, 2012
basing it solely on a big catch, in the biggest of games
I guess I could be wrong….He was a high 3rd rounder, almost late second coming to the end of his first contract. He doesn’t make an s-load of $$$. Just seems like they’d want to resign him. He’s also got 2 SB’s now (right?), so I’d think he’d want to stay
DCRamFan - February 6, 2012
and
last night it was shown that cruz can be shut down by a not so talented NE secondary…the giants probably need all 3 going to succeed.
i think manningham is a pretty damn good player and going into this weekend i figured the giants might be able to cut ties with him and just throw any wr on the opposite side from nicks with cruz in the slot. that might not be the case though.
itsvon - February 6, 2012
Manningham is great as a 3rd receiver
But i don’t think he’d be very good as much else
King Sam Rules! - February 6, 2012 via mobile
Before getting too jazzed about a receiver in the draft, remember the following:
“Gilyard is an excellent college receiver with top athleticism and above average acceleration and average speed and size for the next level. He has been extremely productive in a passing offense but will need work on making his routes more precise as well as on his release off the line. He is extremely dangerous once he has the ball in his hands and can be a threat to take it all the way with his running skills. He can short arm the ball when he hears footsteps and will need to work on his receiving skills when in traffic.”
Marty Gilyard’s evaluation prior to the draft.
David5264 - February 6, 2012
Excellent post
I have to admit that I was excited about Gilyard… and then proven wrong. The problem is that evals prior to the draft apply to any position… How about passing on Blackmon for Kalil and then Blackmon develops into a top 5 WR and Kalil turns out to be an average OL?
abiRam - February 6, 2012
I absolutely agree on this applying everywhere. Thats where the coaches and
scouts have to earn their money. D-tackle seems fairly safe, but the rest is a crap shoot.
David5264 - February 6, 2012
Good point but let me make another one for you
Just yesterday i saw how helpless Tom Brady was with out a legit #1 and #2 WR It just goes to show you even Brady will flutter with out good WR’s We saw Bradford first hand and how much Loyd helped as soon as he came ,we do need WR’s but we need OL help as well not to mention OLB’s DT, and it dont stop there, so best player available is the best way to go IMO if thats a WR so be it
Rammon105 - February 7, 2012
Dump Smith
Sign Nicks, Finnegan and VJax. Draft Kalil, Brown, Forston and Brewster. Add in a copb, another DT and OLB in the last 2 rounds and go with who we got.
There done.
dbcouver - February 6, 2012
i sure hope Fisher is going to read this
DCRamFan - February 6, 2012
this would be the smart thing to do
Trade steven jackson for a 3rd round draft pick draft trent Richsardson with the second pick draft Alshon jefferys then you have enough money to get a vet olineman and sign Finnergan you have a young great offensive for the next 5 years with all the other picks load up on D!!!!!
Ramsfan201 - February 6, 2012 via mobile
I'm going to need some commas or periods in the first line
and I fear that even then, I won’t understand the rationale
DCRamFan - February 6, 2012
i know
You dont understand football!
Ramsfan201 - February 6, 2012 via mobile
haha
alright then. Quite the temper……..you know who else has a bad temper? Cortland Finnergan and Alshon Jefferys…….neither of whom are actual people
Maybe you can help me understand. We’re trading our best offensive player for a 3rd round pick and hoping that ‘Richsardson’ (who is the 3rd incorrectly spelled player in your post) is still available? Is that right?
DCRamFan - February 6, 2012
No it's even worse.
He wants to take a huge reach and draft Richardson with the 2nd overrall pick. Then he wants to take Alshon in the 2nd round and use him as our #1 receiver since there’s no way we can afford to resign Lloyd or get any other receiver since Cortland would take up every last bit of our cap space. And he seems to think we would still have enough for a good offensive lineman even though we only have about 10 million in cap space. Oh and if that logic makes no sense you evidently don’t understand football!
RamFan284 - February 6, 2012
so because
U spell a players name wrong doesnt mean its not the best thing to do, when was the last season steven jackson (is that spelled right) played a full season? How many years does he have left in the tank? Who is the 2nd rated draft prospect in the the draft Trent Richardson! The rams are in the same situation as the colts just a different position running back there thinking toward the future!
Ramsfan201 - February 6, 2012 via mobile
no skilled free agent
Will sign with the rams so you have to draft them!
Ramsfan201 - February 6, 2012 via mobile
no skilled free agent
Will sign with the rams so you have to draft them!
Ramsfan201 - February 6, 2012 via mobile
A few problems.
For one, Kalil is WAY more valuable and needed at his position than Richardson is at his. You just don’t take runningbacks that high in the draft, regardless of how high they’re rated. Two, Jackson has played behind the some of the shittiest and over payed lines in the history of the game. There is nobody who could run behind that line for as long as he has and stayed healthy. And with the same line Richardson would be no different. Thirdly, who the hell are we going to throw to? With the same protection Sam won’t have anytime to throw again, and there is no way in hell Jeffrey will amount to anything if he has to be the #1 receiver on the team right away. So best case scenario, we end up about the same at runningback, same at oline, and worse at receiver. And defense is slightly upgraded with Cortland, with every other spot being filled with mid to low round draft picks.
RamFan284 - February 6, 2012
let's just agree to disagree on this one
how’s that sound?
DCRamFan - February 6, 2012
Hahahhahahhaha ah man DCRamfan that was hilarious! Haven’t laughed that hard since someone on here xpressed their animosityldisdain towards DX & Gibson…
Boy Yottic - February 6, 2012 via mobile
lol
Rammon105 - February 7, 2012
No way in the NFL a RB is even worth a 1st round pick let along the number 2 pick
Brick Top - February 6, 2012
i think
Reggie Bush was picked second and the saints won a super bowl a few years later! Adrian peterson was a top pick for the vikings they went to the super bowl a few years later name a team that draft a OL that went to the super bowl a couple years later?
Ramsfan201 - February 6, 2012 via mobile
Um the Rams
dbcouver - February 6, 2012
hey
dbcouver - February 6, 2012
Did you just credit Reggie Bush
with getting the Saints to the SB? He ran for 390 yards that season. Stunning rushing stats!
Meanwhile, Brees throws for nearly 4,400 yards and 34 TD’s
DCRamFan - February 6, 2012
how many
All purpose yards, TD’s and punt returns factor all that in!
Ramsfan201 - February 6, 2012 via mobile
you answer my question, and I'll answer yours....
are you, or are you not, crediting Reggie Bush with getting the Saints to the Super Bowl?
DCRamFan - February 6, 2012
also
I’m not sure how much longer I can look for this Vikings Super Bowl that AP took them to…
DCRamFan - February 6, 2012
does he have a ring?
Never said he did it by himself it was a team effort! And the vikings where a Qb sneak away from the super bowl
Ramsfan201 - February 6, 2012 via mobile
aaaaaah, the ol 'almost' scenario
and to me this discussion has just come full circle, because if you truly believe it’s a team game, then we’ve got a running back who’s far superior to the line thats blocking for him. Therefore, Trent Richardson at #2 makes no, and didn’t make initially, sense at all
DCRamFan - February 6, 2012
When in the hell did AP take the Vikes to the Super Bowl
I remember when they got Brett Favre and went to the NFC Championship right away though. I also seem to remember ever since that they have been completely terrible. So it just kinda proves you can have the best runningback in the league and still suck dick if the rest of your team sucks. And Reggie Bush? Really? That’s the exact example I use of taking a runningback way to high. And does Orlando Pace for the Rams ring any bells?
RamFan284 - February 6, 2012
Ya but!
That guys not Orlando Pace
Ramsfan201 - February 6, 2012 via mobile
He's considered the best prospect since Jake Long.
Who was considered the best since Pace. Kalil is as safe a pick as you can get this year.
RamFan284 - February 6, 2012
they said
That about Smith! Lol
Ramsfan201 - February 6, 2012 via mobile
No, Smith was said to have a lot of potential
But was still very raw technique-wise. That’s not the case with Kalil, he’s very techniquely sound. The Rams took Smith that high because they thought they could coach him up and he would be fine. Well, as it turns out our coaches couldn’t coach their way out of a paper bag and Smith lost his passion for the game when his checkbook filled up.
RamFan284 - February 6, 2012
the vikings didnt go to no super bowl man.
Mark Jaramillo - February 6, 2012
your right the Viking did not go to the super bowl because the league wanted to send the Saints lol they were cheated out of going
Rammon105 - February 7, 2012
Saint went to SB b/c of passing game and Drew Brees,
Viks went b/c of passing game and Brett Farve. Can get running production out of low round backs. Giants just won SB with two mid round picks at RB running behind a team that drafted an O line.
Brick Top - February 6, 2012
wrong because of a fixed game is why the saints went
Rammon105 - February 7, 2012
So why do the teams with 3 of the running backs in the league
Rams, Jags and Vikings, all suck ass?
Brick Top - February 6, 2012
3 of the best*
Brick Top - February 6, 2012
i dont agree
Rammon105 - February 7, 2012
lol!!
Mark Jaramillo - February 6, 2012
I think the odds of Manning going to Miami or Washington...
are just as good as him going to a team not named the Dolphins or Redskins. The Jets could make a move for Manning or the Chiefs could decide the Cassel experiment didnt work, or even the Cardinals/Seahawks could try to sign him. Things could change alot before the draft. What the Rams decide to do with the second pick could all come down on where Peyton decides to play next year. Hopefully Peyton doesnt wind up in the West (Seattle or Arizona) but I also hope he doesnt sign with Washington or Miami so the Rams have more leverage on draft day. Who knows, the Colts could pick RG3 with the number 1 pick and the whole draft could go into chaos.
jpcisco - February 6, 2012
about as good as Fisher coaching the Rams ? hahaha you kill me
Rammon105 - February 7, 2012
wouldnt griffin drop to the browns if they dont trade for the rams pick and manning goes to washington, flynn to miami….if this happens the rams should draft griffin and trade him by theirselves
gleeker8 - February 6, 2012
I'm so tired of listening to people say to trade Bradford.
We have to pay bradford the 32 or so mill regardless if he’s traded or released. So there’s no way we’re just going to throw away that much money
sergey606 - February 6, 2012
ROFLMAO @ your sig!!!!
Midasknight - February 6, 2012
Well....
….I do hope the FO is at least considering it. IF teams are willing to give up significant picks/players for Sam, why not at least listen. I like Sam (I think everyone here does), but you have to admit that his contract is excessive, in terms of both ‘NFL achievement’ and compared to what RGIII would cost.
Of course that’s not the only factor, but to run a successful franchise, you have to be cold hearted in your evaluations of ‘value.’
I think cap space would take a big hit this year, then we’d be clear of his contract. Help me on this, cap gurus!
I don’t know how to place a numerical value in the “keep/trade Sam/#2 pick” matrix, but there are 4 numbers in there to determine and act upon. There are certainly paths forward from all 4 of those spots, and I just wish the new leadership success in picking the right way forward.
Best to all…
Beelzebubba - February 7, 2012
All I can say is the people
annointing Kalil as a god better be right if the Rams don’t trade down and draft him. For all the “experts” saying he is the best LT since Long and a can’t miss prospect I say “why then are Reiff and Martin considered better run blockers” and “last time I checked the Pac 12 wasn’t exactly a bonanza for edge rushers.” Kalil may be a great NFL player but I’m not convinced he warrants the hype he is getting at this stage. Sure, Kalil may be the best pass protector in the draft which is obviously a big deal for Bradford but when “the experts” are already telling us he isn’t “elite” on run blocking and other are better why are giving him iconic status already.
Go ahead and take your best shots but I think there is a very real possibility that Blackmon becomes the guy everyone is talking about this time next year.
RamTeaPartier - February 6, 2012
LTs don't need to be good run blockers in the NFL anymore
they just need to be adequate at it, which Kalil is. Pass protection is where it’s all at now for offensive tackles
Brick Top - February 6, 2012
At LT,
I would much rather have an elite pass blocker and an average run blocker than the opposite. If a lineman in today’s NFL is going to be a better run blocker than pass blocker he better be a guard or center.
RamFan284 - February 6, 2012
Oh, I agree it's not as near
important as pass blocking and your interior lineman do most of the heavy lifting but I just sense the Kalil hype is taking on a bit of a life of its own. I would like to hear some commentary on how he owned some extremely good edge rushers. I know many people were talking about that big nose tackle from the Huskies as a possible #1 pick and after DeCastro et al from the Cardinal got some of that he has dropped off the radar.
RamTeaPartier - February 6, 2012
The NT
Alameda Ta’amu
RamTeaPartier - February 6, 2012
Just throwing it out there.........
Has Kalil faced any real good edge rushers in the Pac 12 and took them to school? The Pac 12 defenses were for the most part pitiful this past season. As bad as I have ever seen. Is Kalil simply that good to warrant the hype or is he just very good going against fairly weak competition and not getting tested properly. Just throwing it out there guys?
RamTeaPartier - February 6, 2012
the same go's for blackmon with me with your senario's.....
Mark Jaramillo - February 6, 2012
I admit that I watched more Stanford
games than USC games this year but in those games you can clearly see DeCastro dominating the line. I mean blowing out huge holes for the Stanford running backs. Hopefully for those who watched a lot of USC games Kalil passed the eye test for them as well.
RamTeaPartier - February 6, 2012
if miami and washinghton find a qb
Then a trade won’t be possible, because RG3 will just fall straight to them ….So kinda a bummer
RAMSALLTHEWAY - February 6, 2012 via mobile
unless we draft RGIII
and sell to the highest bidder. I believe KC, JAX, MIA, WAS, DAL, CLE, and a few other will be wanting that franchise QB this year and one will jump.
jmo53 - February 6, 2012 via Android app
Rams fans have been beaten with the
ugly stick too long. We all feel that the worst will always happen. If there is anything that I am 100% certain about, that is there will be a significant trade market for RG3 leading up to and on draft day. Relax and take that to the bank. If teams honestly think that Flynn’s one game against the Lions (who don’t have the best of secondary’s) trumps the huge potential of RG3 then they have no business being talent evaluators in the NFL.
There will be a big market for RG3 thanks to one Cam Newton!
RamTeaPartier - February 6, 2012
Anybody coming up with some future
NFL caliber edge rushers from the Pac 12 that Kalil lined up against? If I’m not mistaken, the best edge rusher was on his Trojan team. Maybe he got some good work in during practice. Kalil may be awesome but I would like a little more to sink my teeth into than the hype the media is feeding us. I watched Blackmon own some pretty good d-backs in college.His presence on the field is unquestioned. Clearly, OT is nowhere as sexy a position but either is OG and DeCastro sure caught your eye. I am not doubting Kalil but rather am looking for some competition comps. I don’t jump on bandwagons very well.
RamTeaPartier - February 6, 2012
Well last year kalil reminded tyron smith from LT because he was better and and smith is playing well in the nfl
And the only corner that blackmon ever torched was amukamara
Ram_Redemption - February 6, 2012 via mobile
the "experts" all said the same things you just did about crabtree....
when he was coming out of college. (well…the times he played).
Mark Jaramillo - February 6, 2012
Brick Top - Because all three
teams have pathetic passing attacks. Until the Rams signed Lloyd with occasional flair ups from Harvin, those three teams have abysmal WR’s.
RamTeaPartier - February 6, 2012
No doubt jmo53! Any other talk is
just crazy!
RamTeaPartier - February 6, 2012
Is Smith playing that well? The Cowboy games
I saw Romo was under severe duress! Not saying it was all Smith’s fault but I can’t say Romo had a lot of time to set up and throw.
RamTeaPartier - February 6, 2012
Cowboys fans love em. Want him at LT next year
Ram_Redemption - February 6, 2012 via mobile
Well Mark, I will give you that
Blackmon and Crabtree were the only two time winners of the Biletnikoff award but I prefer how Blackmon aggressively attacks the ball and I think it’s pretty well documented he has a much better work ethic than Crabtree.
RamTeaPartier - February 6, 2012
Blackmon is too much like crabtree to me
same height, same weight, same forty.highlights are similar. same offense in a same division. Blackmon is a much harder worker tho
Ram_Redemption - February 6, 2012 via mobile
I like Blackmon but...
How do you take a guy higher than what AJ Green and J jones were taken last year. Blackmon is good but he isn’t in their league. Take Kalil or trade down
Rcoon1307 - February 6, 2012 via mobile
i have a Lions fan in the Rams war room saying Blackmon is the best WR to come out since Calvin Johnson so is he better then AJ and JJ ? I dont know
Rammon105 - February 7, 2012
Blackmon isn't close to A.J. and is a step behind Julio...
And I’m not going to lie….I feel I actually got dumber after reading Ramsfan 201’s arguments for “Rikchardson” lol. But thank you DC for making my night. I almost peed myself laughing lol
Rcoon1307 - February 7, 2012 via mobile
Not even a step behind Julio
Julio is miles ahead of him
Brick Top - February 7, 2012
draft
We need a solid #1 WR and Blackmon fits the bill to a T..you can always draft decent OL in the second and third rounds..St Louis has not had a decent #1 WR since Holt.
The last time we drafted an OL in the first round, Jason Smith was as mediocre of a OL could be. Only started half the games, poor pass protector and helped very little in run blocking and before him was Alex Barron (the holding machine)
I hope that we learned the lesson when drafting OL in the first round
Brian Harps - February 7, 2012
You can't compare Kalil to Barron or Smith
Kalil is highly, highly touted. He took Tyron Smiths job and Tyron was a 1st rd pick for Dallas and had a great first year. We take Kalil at 2. Take Blackmon if we trade down.
Rcoon1307 - February 7, 2012 via mobile
I dont fix grammer in blogs
There will be a big market for RG3 because of his talent. Although Newtons success will help him I still think RG3 is a better QB. Cam and Vick have that THING a QB needs to be good. Taylor, Young, White, Wallace, and other Qbs that ran a ton in college ( I could go on for days) never had that QB type of play. I see RG3 killing the pro day and combine from here on out and killing all of his interviews and we will have the whole draft by the Balls. I also think Richardson is a great back but is over shadowed by Luck, Blackmon and RG3, that kid can flat run the ball. Blackmon just seems to me that he is a spread receiver. He shows a lot of strength and fight after the catch… but so did Crabtree. I honestly think our best bet is to trade the pick, which I think we will do or draft Kallil. There is talent at WR in this draft and I’m certain guys like Garcon and Johnson were not top 5 picks or picked before the 5th round but now we are wanting the rams to snag them in FA. I think gettign a guy like Braylon Edwards, who had over 1,700 yards in 2 seasons with Shotty in NY would be a good FA pick up. Sachez is not a s good as bradford, Bradford can have the Brady effect and make the receivers he is given into good receivers, if he is protected.
Bukowskijr - February 7, 2012
I know we need a WR and if Blackmon is not as good as AJ or JJ from last year maybe he is not worthy of a # 2 over all pick
I dont know him but i see he is nether a big WR of very fast ,not what i was hopping for I just hope we take the best player on the board at this point ,dont really care if its a WR, OL,RB OLB
just take the best man available ,sounds safer then reaching for a need
Rammon105 - February 7, 2012
I find it simply amazing that
people around here are quick to judge Blackmon’s speed and size when the greatest receiver of all time Jerry Rice didn’t have speed or size. If that weren’t enough, they compare him to Crabtree or JJ or AJ! But when it comes to Kalil they want to jump in and say he took Tyrone Smith’s job and he was a 1rst round draft pick and had a great season with the Cowboys.
1) I asked anyone to throw out a Pac 12 edge rusher that Kalil faced and dominated who has high draft pick potential. The replies were deafening quiet.
2) Why are you bothering comparing T. Smith with Kalil when Smith played RT for the Cowboys? Free was their LT. All of us should know from our own Saffold experience that good RT’s don’t often translate to good LT’s. Please, stop the T. Smith and Kalil comparisons.
RamTeaPartier - February 7, 2012
1) Who's Blackmon dominated at CB who's good? No one
I’ve watched tape on Kalil and Blackmon and I’ll tell you Kalil is a far better prospect.
Brick Top - February 7, 2012
Comparing Blackmon to Rice is like comparing QB prospects to Tom Brady.
You can’t just HOF sleepers out of history and use those examples as rational excuses for picking certain players. It just doesn’t work that way.
dbcouver - February 7, 2012
Again, there will be a big market for teams
wanting RG3. The absolute move for the Rams is to trade down even if it means losing Kalil and Blackmon. The Rams have a bunch of holes to fill. Perhaps we can hire Phil Ivey as our GM since whoever we gets needs to be one helluva poker player and get us a kings ransom for our #2 pick.
RamTeaPartier - February 7, 2012
you are correct sir, trade first
And I believe that it will happen. Fisher has done the first thing that needed to be done when wanting to trade down, and that’s to make it very public. That hadn’t been done in the last 3 drafts although it would have helped.
dbcouver - February 7, 2012
I need to make something clear I guess
I do not now nor did I ever think that Kalil is the next Joe Thomas, or Jake Long, and he damn sure ain’t Pace or Jones. However he is the best OT prospect in this years draft. He’s also better than Blackmon at his position. We don’t need a QB and there are too many RBs starting in the NFL whom were drafted in the later rounds for me to ever think that Richardson is a necessary pick. If we don’t trade down, which is my FIRST choice, and has been for as long as we’ve needed more players than we have picks, then my second choice is to pick Kalil.
If we’re able to trade down, I still want an OT for our first pick, as long as it’s Reiff or Martin. I don’t know anyone who matters who’s said that Kalil is as good as Thomas or Long, but I can see where this will go in the future if we take him and he doesn’t pan out. We wouldn’t have needed him if Smith wasn’t injury prone. That was the only forseeable indiscretion I believe Smith had prior to being drafted, and if he were to be able to remain healthy we don’t have this dilemma.
dbcouver - February 7, 2012
db - And you too are correct in
asserting that the Rams need LT help in a big way. There is no denying that when we led the NFL in sacks allowed and QB hits. I just don’t buy all this talk that just because Manning’s doctor is declaring he will be cleared and Flynn had one good game against the Lions that all of a sudden there will be no market for RG3. That is hogwash! Furthermore, I would not be shocked if RG3 completely outshines Luck at the combines.
Heck, if I was forced to draft a player in the #2 slot after Luck is off the board I may go ahead and choose Kalil as well. All I am saying is people are getting a little carried away with the Kalil hype and if they are completely in the Kalil camp they are searching hard for reasons to diss Blackmon which I think is insane! Kalil may turn out to be an All-Pro LT but lets start “quantifying” the reasons he is so damn good because I will argue he didn’t face the best competition in the Pac 12. You have to agree the Pac 12 defenses were atrocious!
RamTeaPartier - February 7, 2012
"you have to agree pac12 defenses were atrocious"...
and either way RTP…kalil did his job…and did it well! hence where his draft stock is right now. im not dissing blackmon at all, hes pretty good, but the rams dont need a wr right now, and thatrs the whole argument here…
but i will say that kalil’s body of work is far more complete that blackmon’s is, better competition as well. stanford, oregon, were top 5 at one point. so i dont see where you say the pac12 was “atrocious”…from what i recall, its a team gm right?
Mark Jaramillo - February 7, 2012
Geez Brick Top -
You can’t have it both ways! If you are gonna diss Blackmon and who he faced then step right up and give us those big name edge rushers from the Pac 12 that Kalil dismantled. Hopefully, both players will excel in the NFL.
RamTeaPartier - February 7, 2012
I'm saying you can't make the argument that Blackmon is better b/c Kalil hasn't faced elite competition
b/c Blackmon hasn’t either. The competition Blackmon faced was far worse.
Brick Top - February 7, 2012
DB - I am by no means
going to compare Rice and Blackmon. I wouldn’t even begin that discussion other than to say that I get a little tired of people over-hyping speed in the NFL. I lived in the Bay Area when Rice went off for the 49ers and he was in a league of his own. People should spend less time worried about speed and focus more on cutting moves, ability to seperate, work ethic, hands and aggressiveness towards the ball.
RamTeaPartier - February 7, 2012
i think pro scouts as well as the general public (us)
are all getting better at exactly that. 10 years ago no one I knew nor I would spend as much as 1 minute looking at tape or reading what each prospects coaches and opponents would have to say about them. Sure we all laugghed at Al Davis 10 years ago, but that was because, at least in my case, we hated the Raiders. By the time Al died I looked at him in a whole new light. Sure he overvalued speed, as many people did, but that proved to be an undoing that even Al himself learned from.
One thing I’ve noticed is that 10 people can look at the same player, squad, game or team and see 10 different things, and all could be correct. Most of us on here know it takes many skills to create a prospect, we’re here to prop up whom we like, and in the mean time, to some, it sounds like we’re slamming other guys. I think it’s a natural reaction, but one that can be avoided, along with the reaction to hammer someone for what seems like a slam on the guy they don’t want.
Shit now I’m really rambling, Note to self coffee is only good in moderation. Any way suffice it to say I saw a damn good sig the other day.
From a guy at MTD——Jesse Bartolis
dbcouver - February 7, 2012
Well stated DB!
Though I am not sure Mr. Davis fully weaned himself from speed burners. Did they not draft Taiwan Jones in 11 reputed to be the fastest guy in the draft out of Eastern Washington?
I hear ya Brick Top……I will take your thoughts to another progression and that is we don’t know as yet if Kalil or Blackmon will make terrific pros even if we agree that neither faced elite competition last season. After all, it isn’t their fault what the skill level is of those who line up against them. Hence, the terrific world of scouting small colleges and finding precious jewels. Say, what was the name of that school Megatron attended and what type of competition did he face? LoL!
RamTeaPartier - February 7, 2012
No he didn't, did he?
dbcouver - February 9, 2012
He also got Jacoby Ford in 2010.
At least it wasn’t in the first round.
dbcouver - February 9, 2012
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