With the highly-anticipated 2012 NFL Draft just hours away, the GridironGrit.com staff is firing up a 32-part collaborative series on the full first round with pick-by-pick analysis on each team (with trades included). Part six features the St. Louis Rams.
How well would Sam Bradford operate from the pocket if he had more adequate protection?
Well, let’s think all the way back to, oh, 2010. Back then, Jason Smith wasn’t regarded as a draft bust and Rodger Saffold had formed a significant, immediate impact. Both lineman were evidently part of the problem last season.
That doesn’t mean the team doesn’t have bigger fish to fry or better options at the sixth spot.
Photo via STLRamsFootball.com
In the middle of a presumable smokescreen which suggests St. Louis is shopping Steven Jackson for a trade, 6-2, 240-pound workhorse said he agreed with the consensus assessment that the team’s most pressing need is wide receiver earlier this week.
Last season, Brandon Lloyd led the team with 51 receptions for 683 yards and five touchdowns in 11 games. Steven Jackson caught the second-highest number of passes with 42 for 333 yards and a score. Brandon Gibson and Danario Alexander both accumulated 431 yards through the air—Gibson on 36 catches and a score; Alexander for 26 catches with a pair of touchdowns.
Rookie tight end Lance Kendricks hauled in 28 receptions for 352 yards. And lastly, rookie receivers Greg Salas and Austin Pettis both caught caught 27 passes—Salas for 264 yards; Pettis for 256 yards.
Albeit Trent Richardson, Matt Kalil, Fletcher Cox, Morris Claiborne and Michael Floyd are all possible pickups for the Rams, St. Louis will most likely snatch star receiver Justin Blackmon with the No. 6 pick.
The 6-1, 215-pound wide out chalked up a whopping 121 receptions for 1,522 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior.
While many draw comparisons to T.O., Blackmon reminds me more of Calvin Johnson. He may not have the same blazing speed, tight end-like size and striking strength as Megatron, but when you’ve seen Blackmon’s Sports Science segment, it’s easy to see the clear connection. I also suggest checking out Megatron’s feature on Sports Science.
Blackmon looks to become the top target for Bradford for years to come.
Verse of This Piece: “Those who make fun of wisdom don’t like to be corrected; they will not ask the wise for advice.” —Proverbs 15:12
Follow @MichaelGartman and @GridironGrit on Twitter!
Follow the complete pick-by-pick collaborative series here!
- With No. 1 Pick, Indianapolis Colts Select QB Andrew Luck – Gartman
- RGIII Headed For D.C.: Washington Will Take Robert Griffin III With No. 2 Pick – Barnes
- Minnesota Vikings First Round Prediction For Third Pick in 2012 Draft – Thoms
- With The Fourth Pick, Cleveland Browns Select Trent Richardson – Shiri
- Surprise of The Draft: Buccaneers Select CB Stephon Gilmore At No. 5 – Mathis
Pingback: Michael Gartman’s Final 2012 NFL Mock Draft With Trades | GridironGrit.com
Pingback: 2013 NFL Mock Draft: Complete First Round (Combine Edition) | GridironGrit.com