2008 St. Louis Rams NFL Draft Needs

Check out our 2008 St. Louis Rams NFL predictions & preview!

After a terrible 3-13 season, one that ended up far worse than anyone in the Rams organization could have predicted, the Rams will get the second overall pick in the draft to see if they can land an impact player to start the rebuilding process. Defensive end, wide receiver, and offensive tackle are three of their most glaring needs. Find out how they likely spend their first round pick in this 2008 St. Louis Rams NFL Draft needs preview.

#1 Defensive End

In my mock draft, I have the Rams going with LSU's Glenn Dorsey, largely considered the best defensive tackle in the draft, but I'm starting to lean toward the Rams going with Virginia's Chris Long with the second overall pick. Leonard Little turns 34 in the first part of the season and is coming off a lackluster injury-plagued season. The other starter, James Hall, is in the final year of his contract and didn't make nearly enough big plays last season. An every down end, who can rush the passer with ferocity would be ideal. So Long, who recorded 14 sacks last season in college just might be called by the Rams here.

#2 Wide Receiver

The Rams needs to get younger at this spot. Torry Holt is still effective, but a chronic knee injury has kept him from returning to the absolute juggernaut he once was. Isaac Bruce will turn 36 during the season, and he has all but lost his explosiveness. This year's wide receiver class is not as highly touted as the last several have been, but if St. Louis can get a guy like Oklahoma's Malcolm Kelly in round two, they should be patting themselves on the back.

#3 Offensive Tackle

Seven-time Pro Bowler Orlando Pace may be starting to wear down. He has started only nine games the past two seasons, enduring season-ending shoulder and triceps injuries. If the Rams feel Pace can return to health, they can look to bolster this spot with a later round prospect, but if they have any serious concerns about Pace, they better pounce on Michigan's Jake Long.

#4 Center

Age and injury has forced the Rams to look for immediate help on the interior of the offensive line. The Rams will most likely look to address this need via free agency, but if they decide to fill it in the draft Arizona State's Mike Pollak would be a solid second or third round option.

#5 Cornerback

With Fakhir Brown experiencing off the field issues and Ron Bartell scheduled for free agency after this season, the Rams could stand to add some more depth here. Tye Hill and Jonathan Wade, 2006 and 2007 draft picks respectively, are still developing, but you can never have enough help on the corners.

Make sure you check out all of Jimmy Boyd's 2008 NFL Draft previews to see what direction your favorite NFL team might be headed in. Also check out our 2008 NFL Mock Draft to see how Jimmy sees the first round shaping up.

April 8th, 2008