In exactly one month, the first round of the NFL Draft begins. It couldn't come fast enough for Rams fans. Speculation, rumors, and smokescreens all run rampant at this time of the year. It's time to sit back, and enjoy the fun!
Comparing Chris Long to Jadeveon Clowney, pre-draft:
Chris Long played all out each snap, weighed 6 pounds more, ran a faster 10 split, faster 3 cone, same broad jump, 34 Wonderlic & 7 a freak?
— Eric D Metz (@EricDMetz) April 4, 2014
It's a well-known fact the Rams like their defensive linemen to be versatile:
I play a real fundamentally sound game of beer pong
— Chris Long (@JOEL9ONE) April 6, 2014
What could this mean for the Rams come draft day?:
Prediction: After South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney's Pro Day today, conversation about him going No. 1 will intensify.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 2, 2014
Greg Reid...on being released from detention:
First day out!!!!! God is Good glad I was man enough to handle this and continue with my future. #cvc http://t.co/Q3moR20tSn
— Greg g5 Reid (@G5Takeover) April 7, 2014
St. Louis Rams' Full Seven-Round Mock Draft - Edition One: 101 Sports ESPN
Shane Gray presents his first 2014 mock draft. After a trade-down with Atlanta to the #6 pick, the Rams select WR Sammy Watkins. CB Justin Gilbert, LB Ryan Shazier, and G Gabe Jackson comprise the remaining picks in the first two rounds.
NFL a passing league? Expect more teams to run the ball more often: CBS Sports
The NFL is now known as a passing league. It's been trending in that direction for many years. Pat Kirwan examines the reasons why that trend may begin reversing itself in 2014.
Mike Mayock's updated position rankings for the 2014 NFL Draft: NFL.com
When Mike Mayock comments on the draft, people listen. His updated rankings include a couple of major changes: Johnny Manziel moves to #1 in the QB rankings, and Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix replaces Calvin Pryor atop the rankings at safety.
Day 3 quarterbacks the St. Louis Rams might target: Ramblin' Fan
The Rams have openly discussed their desire to select a developmental quarterback in this years draft. Tom Savage, Conner Shaw, and Aaron Murray could all be viable QB options in the later rounds.
Draft Prospects Highlight Reel: Guard - David Yankey - Stanford
Reassessing Rams' off-season plan: What's left to address?: Bleacher Report
Many expect the Rams to select a safety - Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix - with the #13 selection in this years NFL draft. Could that pick end up being a corner back instead?
"Since Fisher and Snead took over, there has been zero indication that the team values safeties over corner backs."
The Rams and the Clowney effect: ESPN NFC West
It's become almost a foregone conclusion that either a QB or Jadeveon Clowney will be selected with the #1 overall pick in the NFL draft. If Clowney is not chosen first overall, the Rams' options greatly increase, especially if they desire to trade the pick.
Rams set offseason program: ESPN NFC West
Nick Wagoner examines some key dates of the Rams' off-season program, which differ little from last year. Jeff Fisher does things a little differently than most head coaches, especially in the way he handles the incoming rookie class.
5 Rams rumours for the 2014 NFL draft: Rant Sports NFL
Rumors and smokescreens are quite prevalent in the weeks leading up to the NFL draft. Here's 5 more to add amid all the speculation.
Stat Facts Of The Week: Team Dropped Passes Percentage
Team Dropped Passes and Drops Percentage
Team
Targets
Drops
Drops Percentage
1
Detroit Lions
623
44
7.1
2
New England Patriots
619
41
6.6
3
St. Louis Rams
503
30
6.0
4
Cleveland Browns
670
39
5.8
5
Kansas City Chiefs
535
31
5.8
6
Buffalo Bills
518
29
5.6
7
Washington Redskins
599
32
5.3
8
Denver Broncos
670
35
5.2
9
New York Giants
560
29
5.2
10
Jacksonville Jaguars
585
30
5.1
11
Oakland Raiders
508
26
5.1
12
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
496
24
4.8
13
Chicago Bears
570
27
4.7
14
Cincinnati Bengals
577
27
4.7
15
San Francisco 49ers
411
19
4.6
16
Indianapolis Colts
577
26
4.5
17
Pittsburgh Steelers
579
26
4.5
18
Carolina Panthers
468
21
4.5
19
Baltimore Ravens
614
27
4.4
20
Tennessee Titans
526
23
4.4
21
Dallas Cowboys
580
25
4.3
22
New York Jets
478
20
4.2
23
Atlanta Falcons
649
27
4.2
24
Miami Dolphins
582
24
4.1
25
Houston Texans
621
24
3.9
26
Philadelphia Eagles
495
17
3.4
27
Green Bay Packers
555
18
3.2
28
Arizona Cardinals
563
18
3.2
29
Seattle Seahawks
409
13
3.2
30
Minnesota Vikings
535
17
3.2
31
San Diego Chargers
535
13
2.4
32
New Orleans Saints
644
15
2.3
The Rams ranked 3rd-worst in the NFL in this statistical category, for the 2013 season. It's one of the areas the Rams coaches need to focus on, if the receiving corps is to show marked improvement in 2014.
A nostalgic look back at the 70's, and Rams defensive end Fred Dryer:
St. Louis Rams would be wise to follow Seattle Seahawks' draft model: Cover 32 Rams
Many have suggested the Rams should select an offensive lineman and safety, with their two first round picks in this years draft. It's exactly what the Seahawks did in 2010, the first year of the Schneider/Carroll regime, selecting OT Russell Okung and S Earl Thomas.
Rams Chat Rewind: ESPN NFC West
Nick Wagoner conducts his weekly question and answer period, covering a broad range of Rams-related topics.
2014 NFL Mock Draft: Walter Football
Charlie Campbell presents his latest 5-round mock draft. The Rams go all defence in the first round, selecting OLB Khalil Mack, and CB Justin Gilbert.
Mock Draft: Matthews To Rams: St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Rams beat reporter Jim Thomas takes a crack at predicting how the first round of the NFL draft will unfold. In his mock draft, the Rams select OT Jake Matthews, and CB Darqueze Dennard.
On This Day In Sports History
1966 - The American Football League chooses 36 year-old Al Davis to be its commissioner.
Mandatory Monday: Double Dipping: Sports On Earth
Mike Tanier examines the ten best first round draft results, for teams that possessed two first-round picks. The 1962 Rams rank number 5 on the list, selecting QB Roman Gabriel and DT Merlin Olsen. Can the Rams successfully duplicate that excellence in the 2014 draft?
2014 NFL Draft Rankings: The Top 200: SB Nation - Mocking The Draft
MTD presents its updated top-200 big board. DE Jadeveon Clowney remains the top-ranked player in this years draft.
2014 NFL Mock Draft: CBS Sports
Pat Kirwan spices things up a bit in his latest mock draft, with the Rams trading the #2 selection to the Cleveland Browns. The Rams pick OT Jake Matthews and WR Mike Evans.
Rams top 3 Big Board: Watkins, Mack, and Matthews Lead List: Ramblin' Fan
Nathan Kearns attempts to create a top ten "big board", putting himself in the heads of the Rams' brain trust.
Jim Miller and Pat Kirwan are not sold on Jadeveon Clowney going #1 to the Houston Texans:
St. Louis Rams Weekly Salary "Re-Cap"
The Rams currently have $9,589,358 in available salary cap space. This total includes all transactions up to - and including - the signing of QB Shaun Hill. It also includes the $3 million roster bonus offset the Rams will receive for Cortland Finnegan, who signed with the Miami Dolphins. It doesn't include the just-signed WR Kenny Britt. His finalized contract numbers have not been released by the NFLPA. The Rams will have approximately $11 million in additional operating costs throughout the remainder of the year, which has a direct impact on available salary cap space.
Plenty of defensive line, linebacker talent outside first round: CBS Sports
The Rams will likely be looking for front-seven defensive depth in this years draft. they should have little trouble finding it, in a draft this deep, at virtually every position.
Team-By-Team Free Agency Grades: Yahoo Sports
The Rams earn a "C-" grades for their efforts in free agency. Given their solid signings - and fiscal responsibility - the Rams have earned no less than a solid B grade. Low-cost, low-risk signings for mostly one-year terms, that will have little effect on their future salary cap structure.
Big Board: 2014 draft class stocked with talent to fit new NFL: CBS Sports
Rob Rang updates his ranking of the best 64 draft prospects in the country. Not surprisingly, DE Jadeveon Clowney heads the list. I believe the Rams should make every attempt to trade down, with the end result being 4 selections in the top 64.
NFL 101: The basics of the 4-3 defensive front: Bleacher Report
NFL 101: Breaking down the basics of the route tree: Bleacher Report
BR's Matt Bowen - a former NFL defensive back - continues his informative and instructional "NFL 101" series.
John Hekker joins Tony Softli and Michael Young, to discuss the off-season - including his own training program - and the Rams' possible draft strategies.
Daniel Jeremiah and Charles Davis give their 2014 NFL Draft predictions on NFL Network’s "Path to the Draft." They have the Rams trading down with Tampa Bay, and selecting Jake Matthews.
Should The Rams Still Draft A Wide Receiver In Round One?: Ramblin' Fan
It's debatable as to whether the Rams should draft a WR in the first round of this years draft. The recent signing of Kenny Britt should have little impact on the decision-making process. If they do decide to select a WR in the first round, should it be Sammy Watkins or Mike Evans?
How far is too far for a trade down by the Rams?: ESPN NFC West
"According to ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., if the Rams want to walk out of the first night of the draft with an elite talent, they'll need to ensure that any move down still garners one of seven players. Those seven players are Clowney, Auburn offensive tackle Greg Robinson, Buffalo linebacker Khalil Mack, Clemson receiver Sammy Watkins, Texas A&M offensive tackle Jake Matthews, Texas A&M receiver Mike Evans and Michigan offensive tackle Taylor Lewan."
Rams GM Les Snead in talks with teams about trading #2 pick: CBS Sports
There will be intense pressure on Rams GM Les Snead on the first night of the draft. It's possible that serious wheeling and dealing with the #2 pick might only occur once the Rams are on the clock:
"We have had some conversations with multiple teams," Snead said. "They're more flirtatious calls than anything. We have numbers 2 and 13, but Houston has No. 1. Nobody can really seriously chat with us until they are happy with at least two players."
Safer bet for the Rams at #2: Wideout or Tackle?: CBS Sports
A very good question to ask...with no easy answer. Will Brinson takes an in-depth, fascinating look at WR's and OT's drafted in the first round, in the past ten years.
The Secrets In St. Louis: Sports Illustrated - MMQB
The upcoming draft is unique in many ways. What I find most fascinating is the mystery of how the draft will unfold, with only 4 weeks to go before round 1 commences. With the 2nd and 13th overall selections in the first round, the Rams may very well hold the key to how the entire first round transpires. A super article by the folks at S.I.
Blast From The Past: Classic Rock Tuesday: Jimi Hendrix - Hey Joe
Please have a great Tuesday and a Ram-tastic week!!
Poll
Which player should the Rams select, if they are unsuccessful at trading down the #2 pick in the draft?
Jake Matthews
Greg Robinson
One of the top three quarterbacks
Sammy Watkins
Jadeveon Clowney
Khalil Mack
Taylor Lewan
33 votes | Results