14. DT Michael Brockers B+
Somewhere Sam Bradford just retired. In all seriousness, I have no problem with the Rams trading down again. They turned the 2nd overall pick into the 14th overall pick, 2 1sts and 2 2nds. That’s not a bad haul. I probably would have just gone ahead and taken Claiborne because of the fact that there were generally 6 consensus blue chip prospects in this draft class, but you can’t fault a bad team with a lot of needs for trading down. At 14, an offensive player like Riley Reiff or David DeCastro would have made more sense, but defensive tackle was definitely a need and Brockers is a solid value at 14.
33. WR Brian Quick C+
Brian Quick? With Stephen Hill, Rueben Randle, Ryan Broyles, and Mohamed Sanu all still on the board? At least it was a need, but Quick never stood out to me on tape at Appalachian State. He’s athletic, but really raw and I don’t think he helps Bradford a whole lot right away. At least they got the position right.
39. CB Janoris Jenkins B+
Janoris Jenkins is the classic boom or bust pick. Normally I give those picks a C (an average between an A and an F), but the 2nd round is a fine spot for a pick like that. Jenkins also fills a need at cornerback.
50. RB Isaiah Pead C
Pead will be a good compliment to Steven Jackson and will help take some of the load off of him right away. However, he won’t carry a load. He’s just a pass catcher/blocker, change of pass back, with return ability. I had him as a 4th round prospect for this reason. He fills somewhat of a need for the Rams, but they’ll probably still be looking for a lead back of the future to pair with Pead next season because Jackson probably doesn’t have a lot left in the tank.
65. S Trumaine Johnson B-
Another defensive back? Well they do need a safety and Johnson can play safety and cornerback. This was a little early for him in my book and I’d like to see them focus more on protecting Sam Bradford and getting him receivers. This is a C+ if they keep him at cornerback because that’s less of a need after the Jenkins pick, but a B if he was drafted as a safety because he could end up being the long term starter there. I’ll just average those two grades out and get a B-.
96. WR Chris Givens A
I actually like Givens more than Quick. I had him higher on my board. He might just be a slot receiver at the next level, but he’s got excellent speed to burn and he’s a great route runner. He’s a very similar player to AJ Jenkins, who the 49ers got at 30 and he’ll help Bradford right away. I had a 2nd/3rd round grade on him so this is an excellent value.
150. G Rokevious Watkins B-
At least the Rams finally addressed their offensive line. I had a 7th round grade on Watkins though so this is a little early. I don’t think he can emerge as a starter at the position, which is something they need. Offensive line will probably be their biggest need in 2013, probably a tackle unless both Smith and Saffold bounce back. Either of those two players can play guard.
171. K Greg Zuerlien B-
I didn’t have Zuerlien as a draftable prospect and I don’t think Josh Brown, who was cut after this pick, was that bad of a kicker.
209. OLB Aaron Brown B
I didn’t have Brown in my top 250, but this is a 7th round pick so I can’t hate on it. At least it was a need.
252. RB Daryl Richardson B
Another back? Well they did need depth I guess, but I didn’t have Richardson in my top 250. Again, it’s just a 7th round pick.
The Rams know they’re in a 3 year rebuilding process so it was really smart getting all of those future picks for the 2nd overall pick. I even sort of liked that they traded down again and grabbed another 2nd round pick given all of their needs. However, I thought there were better options than Brockers and Quick, who they took with their first 2 picks. I also thought Isaiah Pead was a reach in the 2nd and I didn’t like that they waited until the 5th to address the offensive line. I think the Jenkins gamble was worth it and Trumaine Johnson could emerge as a starter at safety. Their best pick was Chris Givens in the 4th. Their picks were a mixed bag, which should be a C/C+, but they set themselves up nicely for the future getting 2 1sts from Washington so I’m giving them a B.
Grade: B
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