There's more hoopla now than ever for coverage of the NFL Draft. And if you are reading this, you are glad since the NFL hot stove is hot.The Rams appear to have had a pretty good draft. If so--after some horrible years--that would be two years in a row.
So, let's go pick-by-pick through the picks.
1. QB Sam Bradford. I was on the Suh wagon for a long time. My extensive research (YouTube highlights) was that this guy was a special. He's big, confident, a field general, can make throws, etc.
You say this is college, not the pros? Well, Oklahoma appeared to be a pro team with all their early picks. Maybe their coaches need to make better use of the talent.
The one drawback is injury history. How do you tell someone to "fall better?"
Let the Sam Ram era begin!
2. OT Roger Saffold. The Rams protect their investment by taking a high pick on an offensive tackle for the second straight year. Brilliant. Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger were shell-shocked due to poor drafting and not addressing the OL. Perhaps Bradford won't fall much with Saffold, Jason Brown and a better line in 2010.
3. CB Jerome Murphy. I've argued that corner back was the biggest weakness on this club in 2009. The Rams need good cover men who go get the ball. Pencil him in as a starter.
4. WR Mardy Gilyard. A great pick and great value in the fourth round. Some say he's no different than the other Ram WRs. I project Gilyard as a 2010 starter and a play-maker, something greatly needed.
5a. TE Michael Hoomanawanui. If the glass is half empty, you don't need a blocking TE. However, if your mug runneth full, he's a tackle with a number in the 80s who protects Sam Ram and opens holes for the offense's only known commodity: Steven Jackson.
5b. DE Hall Davis. Need to address DE, especially if Leonard Little is not back. A better scenario? Sign Little and let Davis learn under him.
6a. TE Fendi Onobun. He's a name game pro bowler already. He can also be the go-to-guy on the Rams summer hoops team since he played at Arizona. I'm not holding my breath and would rather see a proven pass catcher for Sam Ram. With his athleticism, it's OK to take a flier in the sixth round.
6b. DE Eugene Sims. See Hall Davis above.
7a. DB Marquis Johnson. Not many Ram DBs should have job security, so he has a chance.
7b. DE George Selvie. A former All America taken in the 7th round? Nice job, Devaney.
7c. LB Josh Hull. Penn State LBs are beloved. Remember Shane Conlan? Ran like he had a stick in his pants but could make the tackle.
Summary: Not sure the Hershell Waker trade bounty of the Cowboys could've addressed all this team's needs. However, give the Rams credit for addressing just about every one.
CJ Spiller, this year's RBs were not special. If the Rams sign Bryan Westbrook I will bump up the B grad to an A-.
They need to address TE, and especially WR, is still there.
1 | 1 | Sam Bradford | QB | Oklahoma |
| 2 | 33 | Rodger Saffold | OT | Indiana |
| 3 | 65 | Jerome Murphy | CB | South Florida |
| 4 | 99 | Mardy Gilyard | WR | Cincinnati |
| 5 | 132 | Michael Hoomanawanui | TE | Illinois |
| 5 | 149 | Hall Davis | DE | La.-Lafayette |
| 6 | 170 | Fendi Onobun | TE | Arizona |
| 6 | 189 | Eugene Sims | DE | West Texas A&M |
| 7 | 211 | Marquis Johnson | DB | Alabama |
| 7 | 226 | George Selvie | DE | South Florida |
| 7 | 254 | Josh Hull | LB | Penn State |
