The St. Louis Rams needed to have a great draft this past week to be able to compete in the rugged NFC West division. A great draft is exactly what they got.
The Rams had two picks in the first round of the draft. St. Louis selected offensive tackle Greg Robinson from Auburn with the second pick in the draft. Robinson is a huge mauling run blocker who will compliment tackle Jake Long and guard Roger Saffold. These three will create big holes for running back Zac Stacy. Thus, giving the Rams a powerful running game. With the thirteenth pick in the first round, the Rams selected defensive tackle Aaron Donald from Pittsburg. Donald was the best interior pass-rusher in the draft. Alongside Robert Quinn, Chris Long, and Michael Brockers, Donald will make the Rams D-line one of the best in the league.
The Rams used their lone second round pick on cornerback/safety Lamarcus Joyner from Florida State. Joyner’s versatility will prove key for the Rams. Joyner can play free safety and the nickel corner. Both of these positions were a need for the Rams, and they were able to kill two birds with one stone.
St. Louis made its biggest splash when they selected Tre Mason in the third round. Mason was a Heisman finalist running back from Auburn. Mason ran for over 1,800 yards last season in the rugged SEC. Mason will be a great compliment to the downhill runner Zac Stacy. Mason will be used as a change of pace back, but be prepared to see big numbers out of Mason as well as Stacy. The selection of Tre Mason gives the Rams a great one-two punch at the running back position.
In the fourth round, the Rams selected safety Mo Alexander from Utah State. Alexander is from St. Louis and went to Eureka High. Alexander is a great story because he was a janitor at the Edward Jones Dome the year he was suspended from Utah State. He went from cleaning up the Dome to playing in it. On the field, Alexander is a physical, hard hitting, in-the-box safety. Look for an extended role on special teams early and possibly a starter later in his career.
The Rams had no fifth-round pick because they used this pick to trade up and grab Joyner in the second round.
St. Louis had two sixth-round picks. First the rams selected corner E.J. Gaines from Missouri. Gaines is a long, lanky coverage corner who has the ability to play as nickel corner. At the least, he will provide great depth at the defensive back position, along with a big role in special teams. Later in the round, the Rams took quarterback Garrett Gilbert. Gilbert started his collegiate career at Texas but later transferred to SMU. Gilbert will compete for the backup role with Shaun Hill and Austin Davis.
Four seventh round picks were to be had from the Rams. First they took offensive tackle Mitchell Van Dyk from Portland State. At 6’8” 315 pounds, Van Dyk gives the Rams added depth to the O-line. The next selection was Christian Bryant, a safety from Ohio State. Bryant is a coverage safety, something St. Louis lacks. Bryant has a chance to prove himself and earn some playing time at the free safety position. With their third pick in the round, St. Louis chose Michael Sam, a defensive end from Missouri. Sam is the first openly gay player to play in the NFL. Michael Sam has been one of the most talked about picks in the draft because of the fact he is gay, but Sam displays a breakthrough for all sports, showing that people will accept you for who you are. On the field, Sam was named the SEC defensive player of the year. He recorded 11.5 sacks this past season at Missouri. Sam’s ability to rush the passer gives him a chance to make the roster. The last seventh round pick was center Demetrius Rhaney, from Tennessee State. Rhaney adds depth to the offensive line and flexibility because he can play both the guard and center positions.
The Rams draft accessed all of the team’s needs. The Rams took three players that played in the BCS national Championship game. Hopefully these winning ways of the new players will add to an already up-and-coming talented roster, allowing the Rams to compete in the stacked NFC West division.