Injuries took its toll on the St. Louis Rams early and often last season and this too will be a high priority for the Rams who have the number two pick overall in the draft.
Many draft experts are saying the Rams also need help on the defensive line with an aging, but I think still productive Leonard Little, along with last year’s number one draft pick Adam Carriker, a defensive lineman could really turn that top need into one of the strong points of this team.
Vic Carucci of NFL.com picks Chris Long of Virginia going to the Rams, as does Pat Kirwan. After that, the thought is to pick a wide receiver to play on the other side of Torry Holt now that Isaac Bruce is no longer on the team.
While I don’t expect him to be that number two receiver, watch for Missouri Tiger Will Franklin to end up with St. Louis with their 4 th or 5 th round pick. Here is the Rams’ draft order.
Round 1, Pick 2
Round 2, Pick 33
Round 3, Pick 65
Round 4, Pick 101
Round 5, Pick 137
Round 6, Pick 168
Round 6, Pick 180 (from Denver)
Round 7, pick 217 (from Cincinnati)
Round 7, pick 252 (compensatory pick)
In 2007, DL Adam Carriker (13th overall) was the Rams’ first-round choice in the NFL Draft. Carriker became the 10th defensive lineman selected by the Rams in the first round and the first since 2003 when DT Jimmy
Kennedy was selected with the 12th overall pick. Below is position-by-position breakdown of Rams’ first-round choices since 1937.
First-Round Draft Choices By Position
Running Back 33
Offensive Linemen 19
Defensive Linemen 10
Linebackers 9
Wide Receivers 8
Defensive Backs 5
Quarterbacks 2
Tight Ends 1
Punters/Kickers 0
