For the St. Louis Rams, the team with the #1 overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, this year marks a chance for them to build on a solid foundation that they’ve already laid the ground work for. They got their franchise quarterback in Sam Bradford last year, now they need a legit wideout to pair with him- or maybe some additional protection up front.
Of course, this team is coached by Steve Spagnuolo, the new boy defensive genius of the NFL, so you know they’ll load on that side of the ball too. Here’s what I have mocked to them in the first three rounds.
14. St. Louis Rams Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
Everyone raves about JJ’s potential and measurables. Not so much about all his drops, but he redeems himself with his durability. And he impressed the NFL world with combine and pro days; putting up the numbers he did through the pain. Rams got Sam Bradford last year, now they can get a wideout weapon to go with him.
Stl. draft possibilities: WR, 4-3 DL, DB, TE
For the whole first round mock draft go here
15. St. Louis Lance Kendricks, TE, Wisconsin
Here’s our Kendricks Q &A:
Do you have any TE role models in the NFL? Or maybe a favorite player you had as a kid?
“ I watch Dallas Clark and Tony Gonzalez a lot.”
What do you think is the biggest strength of your game?
“I would say blocking and having the ability to get there and run.”
Conversely, what are you working on to improve?
“Running my routes. Garrett helped me a lot with that last year. That is my focus this year.”
And the second round! go here to check that out.
14. St. Louis, Tandon Doss, WR, Indiana
During the 2010 regular season, Doss led the Big Ten and finished fourth nationally with 175.8 all-purpose yards per game. He closed out the year with 63 receptions, 706 receiving yards, seven touchdowns, 1,016 kick return yards, 163 rushing yards and 49 punt return yards. The Indianapolis native’s 1,641 all-purpose yards rank seventh on IU’s single-season list. Doss also ranks sixth in single-season receptions and he became the sixth player in Big Ten history with 1,000 or more kick return yards in a single season, finishing the year with the fourth-best total in Big Ten history and the top total in Hoosier lore.
Round three here
For our 2012 Mock Draft go here
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net , a Midwest webzine. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Walter Football.com, Yardbarker, and Fox Sports
He does a regular guest spot each week for Chicagoland Sports Radio.com You can follow him on Twitter @thesportsbank and Facebook