The Rams are starting over, and that means picking up a quantity of talent in the draft. The draft’s focus was on adding talent and athleticism— at times at the expense of positional needs, and often at the expense of character standards. Here’s a look at the results.
Round 1, Pick 14—Michael
Brockers, DT, LSU
Height: 6’5” Weight: 322lbs Arm Length: 35” Hand Size: 9”
Wing-Span: 84” 40
time: 5.35 Vertical: 27” Shuttle time: 4.80
Bench Press Reps (225lbs): 21 Broad Jump: 8’9” 3-Cone Drill: 7.45
Strengths
-Big and powerful—consistently drives linemen backwards when
one-on-one
-Shows ability to sink low and explode up through the hips—a
valuable trait in many aspects of life
-Rare quickness and athleticism for his size—fluid in his
sideline-to-sideline pursuit
-Good power pass rusher—drives a wedge through the pocket
-Dominant run stopper—too strong to be driven off the line
of scrimmage or sealed, and quick enough to reach running backs before they hit
2nd gear
-Angry hitter that has a huge tackling radius due to having
a massive wingspan and the strength to arm tackle
-Good play recognition
-Great work-ethic
Weaknesses
-Lacks the first step burst to shoot gaps and get into the
backfield
-Started only one year in college—came out after redshirt
sophomore season
-Does not have the top-end speed to chase down running backs
in the open
-Gets his pad level too high at
times, allowing opposing linemen to neutralize his strength
My Thoughts
I was blown away by the
astonishment and outrage Rams fans displayed after this trade and pick. Irrelevant references to decade-old draft
busts at the defensive tackle position are particularly puzzling, especially
considering that Pickett and Carriker were not busts, just misused. I understand the desire to get a great wide
receiver, but I missed the part where the team was one player away from being a
Super Bowl contender. The Rams were able
to acquire an extra pick in the talent-loaded 2nd round and still
draft an impact player at a position of need in the 1st round. Brockers instantly improves a run defense
that ranked 31st in the NFL last season. Additionally, his propensity for drawing
double teams will make all three of his linemates and middle linebacker James
Laurinaitis better players. Some scouts
question Brockers’s ability as an inside pass rusher due to his lack of
gap-shooting burst. Defensive line coach
Mike Waufle had this to say on the matter, “They say he's not much of a pass
rusher, but we'll teach him to pass rush. Tommy Kelly wasn't either, at one time, and we
taught him how to power rush. The last two years he's had more sacks [14 ½]
than any defensive tackle in the league, and this kid will do the same. Tommy's
tough, but this guy's nasty."
Round 2, Pick 33—Brian Quick, WR, Appalachian ST.
Height: 6’3” Weight: 222lbs Arm Length: 34” Hand Size: 10”
Wing-Span: 81” 40
time: 4.51 Vertical: 34” Shuttle time: 4.22
Bench Press Reps (225lbs): 15 Broad Jump: 9’11” 3-Cone Drill time: 7.09
Strengths
-Great size and strength
-Great hands—extends arms to
make catches away from his body
-Good run-after-catch
ability—aggressive runner with ability to break tackles
-Possesses the quickness and
dexterity to make sharp cuts in route-running
-Positions himself well to beat
one-on-one coverage in jump-ball situations
Weaknesses
-Not an elite athlete—lacks
burst and top-end speed
-Unpolished route runner
-Ineffective run blocker
My Thoughts
This was a questionable pick,
with names like Rueben Randle, Alshon Jeffery, and Stephen Hill still on the
board. Apparently the Rams were smitten
with Quick, and for now, I’m willing to give the new regime the benefit of the
doubt. His skill set is similar to
Justin Blackmon’s. Quick is bigger, but
his hands and run-after-catch ability are a notch below Blackmon’s. His size and skill set differ from every
receiver on the current roster, except perhaps the injury-troubled Danario
Alexander. He’s a big receiver with good
jump-ball skills, which should provide the Rams with the redzone target they’ve
lacked for years.
Round 2, Pick 39—Janoris Jenkins, CB, N. Alabama
Height: 5’11” Weight: 193lbs Arm Length: 32” Hand Size: 8”
Wing-Span: 74” 40
time: 4.46 Vertical: 34” Shuttle time: 4.12
Bench Press Reps (225lbs): NA Broad Jump: 10’ 1” 3-Cone Drill: 6.94
Strengths
-Elite athleticism—great speed,
agility, and flexibility
-Seamless transition from
back-pedal to forward pursuit
-Surprisingly physical in press
coverage despite being somewhat undersized
-Arguably the best man-coverage
corner in the draft
-Instinctive in
zone-coverage—rare closing burst
-Good play recognition
-Excellent ball skills—very
aggressive going for pass-deflections and interceptions
-Impact player as a punt
returner
Weaknesses
-Significant off-the-field
issues—kicked off Florida team after failed drug test and multiple marijuana-related
arrests. Also arrested for his
involvement in a bar fight
-Can be overpowered by bigger
receivers
-Can be overaggressive—bites on
pump-fakes and double-moves
-Inconsistent tackling ability
My Thoughts
This was by far my favorite
pick of the draft. If Jenkins wasn’t
such a knucklehead, he would’ve been an early 1st round pick. It’s even more exciting because this is a
pick that defines the contrast between the old regime and the new, marked by a
willingness to take a chance on “red-flag” players that possess high-level
talent. Jenkins has the ability to be a
premier shut-down corner if he can wrangle his other issues. Additionally, Jenkins provides a punt return
threat the team hasn’t had since Az Hakim.
Round 2, Pick 50—Isaiah Pead, RB, Cincinnati
Height: 5’10” Weight: 197lbs Arm Length: 31” Hand Size: 9”
Wing-Span: 74” 40
time: 4.43 Vertical: 33” Shuttle time: 4.31
Bench Press Reps (225lbs): NA Broad Jump: 9’ 8” 3-Cone Drill: 6.94
Strengths
-Good athleticism—explosive
homerun threat
-Attacks line of scrimmage—good
speed through the hole
-Good hands
-Good base strength and leg
drive—runs through arm tackles
-Great work-ethic
Weaknesses
-Inconsistent game speed—seems
to let up at times and is run down from behind
-Needs to add bulk to hold up
as an every down back
-Overaggressive—does not show
the patience to let plays develop
-Lacks the shake and wiggle of
truly elusive backs
My Thoughts
The Rams passed on more
explosive runners like LaMichael James and Lamar Miller to take Pead—a pick
some thought was a bit of a reach.
However, Pead has the strength to run between the tackles. He serves as a complementary change-of-pace
back immediately, and has the potential to be a replacement for Steven Jackson
if he’s able to add some weight without losing his burst. Pead has some experience as both a punt
returner and kick returner.
Round 3, Pick 65—Trumaine Johnson, CB, Montana
Height: 6’2” Weight: 207lbs Arm Length: 33” Hand Size: 9”
Wing-Span: 79” 40
time: 4.54 Vertical: 36” Shuttle time: 4.14
Bench Press Reps (225lbs): 19 Broad Jump: 10’ 2” 3-Cone Drill: 7.19
Strengths
-Rare athleticism for his size
-Good transition from back-pedal to forward pursuit
-Good closing burst
-Excellent ball skills
-Extremely physical—hard hitting tackler that plays with an
edge
Weakness
-Will not keep up with some of the faster receivers in the
league on go-routes
-Lacks positional awareness in zone defense
-Inconsistent play recognition skills
-Poor tackling technique
-Off-the-field issues—arrested and charged with obstructing
a police officer, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest in an alcohol-related
incident.
My Thoughts
With Trumaine’s size and skill set, he could become an
excellent safety if he’s able to improve his zone coverage skills. However, Jeff Fisher already said that he
will stay at the cornerback position and expects him to contend for the starting
job at nickel corner. Johnson is a good
player and athletic enough to become great if he’s receptive to polishing and
keeps clean off the field.
Round 4, Pick 96—Chris Givens, WR, Wake Forest
Height: 5’11” Weight: 193lbs Arm Length: 31” Hand Size: 8”
Wing-Span: 74” 40
time: 4.39 Vertical: 34” Shuttle time: 4.22
Bench Press Reps (225lbs): 19 Broad Jump: 9’ 10” 3-Cone Drill: 6.96
Strengths
-Excellent athleticism—quick to accelerate and great top-end
speed
-Creates separation with ease—quick, sharp cuts in his
routes
-Too quick to be disrupted by press coverage
-Stretches the field—big-play deep threat
-Very elusive
Weaknesses
-Must be open to make the catch—will not win one-on-one
battles for the ball
-Slow and timid when running routes across the middle
-Goes down at first contact—unwilling to take a hit for
extra yardage
-Liability as a run blocker
My Thoughts
For now, Givens is strictly a role player as a wide
receiver. However, it’s a role that no
other player on the roster can play—he’s an explosive deep threat. I’m somewhat concerned because his scouting
report sounds like a description of Donnie Avery, but it was lack of health,
not lack of skill that held Avery back.
For years, the Rams have been looking for a true deep threat to take the
top off the defense; Givens should be that player. He also has some experience as a kick
returner.
Round 5, Pick 150—Rokevious Watkins, G, South Carolina
Height: 6’4” Weight: 338lbs Arm Length: 35” Hand Size: 10”
Wing-Span: 83” 40
time: 5.29 Vertical: 27” Shuttle time: 4.89
Bench Press Reps (225lbs): NA Broad Jump: 8’ 6” 3-Cone Drill: 7.86
Strengths
-Good size and athleticism at
guard, but not a potential tackle
-Quick to set off the snap
-Strong hands—maintains blocks
well once engaged
-Has decent ability to pull and
maintain blocks while on the move
-Strong base—anchors well to
defend the bull-rush
Weaknesses
-Lacks aggressiveness—plays
somewhat soft
-Lack of concentration leads to
inconsistent play
My Thoughts
Rokevious has the skill set to
start immediately at guard if the coaching staff is able to amplify his
intensity. Fisher has a track record of
developing late round offensive linemen, which is one reason the Rams waited
until the 5th round to address the vacancy at guard. Watkins is a perfect candidate to be coached
up. Once polished, he has the physical tools
to be a solid, and possibly above-average, starter.
Round 6, Pick 171—Greg Zuerlein, K, Missouri Western
Height: 6’0” Weight: 190lbs Arm Length: NA Hand Size: NA
Wing-Span: NA 40
time: NA Vertical: NA Shuttle time: NA
Bench Press Reps (225lbs): NA Broad Jump: NA 3-Cone Drill: NA
Strengths
-Consistent accuracy—broke NCAA DII record with 21
consecutive FG’s made
-Good power—9 FG’s of at least 50 yards in 2011, 2 from 58
yards
Weaknesses
-Kickers are not real football
players
My Thoughts
With the lack of overall talent
on the team, I wanted the Rams to use all of their picks on position players;
however, Zuerlein does have a lot of leg.
Mel Kiper had Zuerlein as the number one kicker on his board. Additionally, the Zuerlein pick allows the
team to part ways with Josh Brown and his $2.7 million cap hit. This gives them some flexibility to add some
cap-casualty veterans, possibly at OLB.
Round 7, Pick 209—Aaron Brown, LB, Hawaii
Height: 6’1” Weight: 220lbs Arm Length: NA Hand Size: NA
Wing-Span: NA 40
time: 4.80 Vertical: 34” Shuttle time: 4.78
Bench Press Reps (225lbs): 31 Broad Jump: 9’ 6” 3-Cone Drill: NA
Strengths
-Good Strength
-2011 All-MAC linebacker
-Good production—186 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 10 sacks,
and 6 interceptions in two years.
-Very physical
Weaknesses
-Off-the-field issues—suspended after 3rd degree
assault charge stemming from bar fight
-Lacks high-end athleticism
-Undersized
My thoughts
Brown plays with an intensity that should make him a good
special teams player. He had good
production at Hawaii, but his size/athleticism raise questions about
whether he can become an effective
position player at the next level.
Round 7, Pick 252—Daryl Richardson, RB, Abilene Christian
Height: 5’10” Weight: 193lbs Arm Length: NA Hand Size: NA
Wing-Span: NA 40
time: 4.47 Vertical: 41” Shuttle time: 4.46
Bench Press Reps (225lbs): 16 Broad Jump: 11’ 3” 3-Cone Drill: 7.07
Strengths
-Good burst and acceleration
-Good top-end speed
-Creative and elusive in the open field
-Kick return experience
Weaknesses
-Strictly an outside-the-tackles playmaker
My Thoughts
More speed and another kick returner. I’ll take that from the Rams’ Mr. Irrelevant. Sorry, couldn't find any footage.
Overall
Thoughts
Bar bouncers and drug dogs throughout the nation are on
notice—the Rams are coming. I was only
joking when I set a minimum of one assault charge per defensive player, but
apparently the team took me seriously.
There is one refreshing conclusion that we can draw from this draft—the
new regime values talent and athleticism over character and polished play. The new coaching staff put a lot of pressure
on themselves by essentially drafting ten project players. I don’t say that to be alarming—Brockers,
Jenkins, and probably Quick are already solid/good players. The project is providing the coaching to
fulfill their great/elite potential.
The Rams come out of this draft with some exciting players on both sides
of the ball. They’ve also put themselves
in position to finally have some real threats in the return game. Only time will tell whether the reward
potential from this draft will outweigh the risks, but I feel optimistic about
the first draft of this new chapter.
1st Round Press Conferences
2nd and 3rd round press conferences
Full Draft Recap
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