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2009 NFL Mock Draft: St. Louis Rams

Written by Jimmy Boyd on April 21, 2009

rams-draft-42109 2008 was another season to forget for the St. Louis Rams which finished the year 2-14. It’s now been quite some time since “the greatest show on turf” was making Super Bowl appearances. The team is ready to start from scratch with new head coach Steve Spagnuolo and general manager Billy Devaney calling the shots. Jimmy Boyd takes a look at where these two will be looking first on draft day in this 2009 NFL Draft preview.

Biggest Draft Needs – Any 2-14 team has more than a couple needs, but landing an offensive tackle to fill Orlando Pace’s shoes seems to be the most glaring. The days of Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt dominating secondaries are done as well so it’s high time this team landed some new blood at the wide receiver position. The Rams have major needs at linebacker, defensive tackle, and cornerback as well.

Likely Day 1 Targets – The Rams are officially rebuilding, which means that they need to stockpile talent. In a perfect world, a team would offer them several picks for their No. 2 overall selection, but that’s not a very likely scenario. Most experts expect the Rams to go with an offensive tackle with their first pick. With the Detroit Lions expected to take Georgia QB Matthew Stafford, the Rams will have their pick of Baylor’s Jason Smith or Virginia’s Eugene Monroe. Most think the Rams will go with the 6′5”, 305-pound Smith. As a converted tight end, Smith is one of the most athletic tackles we have seen coming into the draft in quite some time. He has the type of athleticism to fend off the game’s best speed rushers. He has also been described as having the necessary mean streak needed to star in the NFL for a long time. His biggest draw back is that he hasn’t played the position for a long time, but that also means that his upside is tremendous.

It’s no secret that Steve Spagnuolo is a defensive guy and the Rams are in desperate need of help up the middle, particularly at linebacker. The Rams could potentially get Wake Forest’s Aaron Curry with their second overall pick. The linebacker spot is usually not one filled so early in the draft, but Curry is being billed as the best defensive prospect in this draft, and will likely be gobbled up by Kansas City with the No. 3 overall pick if the Rams pass. Put him in the mix with recent first round selections Chris Long and Adam Carriker and the Rams will be well on their way to rebuilding the defense.

In the second round, look for the Rams to go after a wide receiver like North Carolina’s Hakeem Nicks.

Recent Draft Track Record – The Rams have struggled to find many stars through the draft under their former administration the past five years or so outside of running back Steven Jackson. There is still some hope for last year’s class as defensive end Chris Long could end up being a good one as the talent around him improves. Wide receiver Donny Avery isn’t a No. 1 receiver but he has the potential to become a respected deep threat.

Jimmy Boyd’s NFL picks will help you cash in big with your NFL betting this season. Jimmy Boyd consistently beats the NFL odds and it’s high time you found out for yourself.

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