Sam Bradford needs help.
Brandon Lloyd fled via free agency. Last year's draft crop that yielded pass-catchers Lance Kendricks, Austin Pettis, Greg Salas has shown discouraging returns. The St. Louis Rams' left tackle spot also desperately calls for help.
2012 NFL Draft: Latest mock draft | Team-by-team picks | SN's Top 40 prospects
Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon has emerged as the overwhelming favorite for the Rams here at pick No. 6. Offensive tackles Riley Reiff and Matt Kalil are also in the mix. Kalil is widely expected to leave the board by this point, but would provide great value if he does fall this far.
After moving from second overall to sixth following the Redskins trade, St. Louis now possesses two early second-round picks. If the Rams select receiver at No. 6, they may consider using one of their next two picks to find a left tackle, as Harvey Dahl held down the right edge admirably to close out the year.
The Rams would also do well to address the interior defensive line and outside linebackers spots in Rounds 2-4.
Studs: DE | DT | S | CB | ILB | OLB | Five-year review
It's unlikely that any one of defensive tackles Dontari Poe, Michael Brockers or Fletcher Cox will fall out of Round 1. The next best hope would be if DTs Devon Still, Kendall Reyes or Jerel Worthy drops into Round 2. If all are off the board, hitting need a bit over value might be the right call early in the second round, with Zach Brown, Lavonte David and Mychal Kendricks as good options at outside linebacker.
Though the Rams signed Cortland Finnegan to a deal, it would not be surprising if they dipped into a decent cornerback pool in the early rounds. This is a 2-14 team; upgrades could be made in many places.
Top 4 Team Needs: WR, LT, DT, OLB
2012 Draft Picks (Round-Pick): 1-6 from Washington, 2-1, 2-7 from Washington, 3-2, 4-1, 6-1, 7-2, 7-45 (compensatory)
Draft profiles in Top 40: Dontari Poe | Mychal Kendricks | Jonathan Martin | Jerel Worthy
Best options, including round and factoring value for draft position:
WR: Justin Blackmon (1), Michael Floyd (1), Alshon Jeffery (2), Rueben Randle (2), Mohamed Sanu (2), Nick Toon (2), Juron Criner (3), Brian Quick (3), Greg Childs (3), Marvin Jones (3), T.Y. Hilton (3), Chris Givens (3), Marvin McNutt (4), A.J. Jenkins (4), Joe Adams (4), Chris Owusu (4), Devon Wylie (4), Jarius Wright (4).
LT: Matt Kalil (1), Riley Reiff (1), Mike Adams (2), Kelechi Osemele (2), Mitchell Schwartz (3), Zebrie Sanders (3), Bobby Massie (3).
DT: Dontari Poe (2), Michael Brockers (2), Fletcher Cox (2), Devon Still (2), Kendall Reyes (2), Jerel Worthy (2), Brandon Thompson (3), Alameda Ta'amu (3), Josh Chapman (3), Kheeston Randall (4), Marcus Forston (4).
4-3 OLB: Zach Brown (2), Lavonte David (2), Mychal Kendricks (2-3), Billy Winn (3), Bobby Wagner (3), Bruce Irvin (4), Sean Spence (4), Keenan Robinson (4), Nigel Bradham (4), Emmanuel Acho (4), Demario Davis (4), Kyle Wilber (4), Terrell Manning (4).
Ugly cycle: These four teams can't miss on first-round picks
2011 draft picks (round-pick): DE Robert Quinn (1-14), TE Lance Kendricks (2-15), WR Austin Pettis (3-14), WR Greg Salas (4-15), DB Jermale Hines (5-27), DB Mikail Baker (7-13), LB Jabara Williams (7-25), DB Jonathan Nelson (7-26)
First-round picks of past 10 years: DE Robert Quinn (2011), QB Sam Bradford (2010), OT Jason Smith (2009), DE Chris Long (2008), DE Adam Carriker (2007), DB Tye Hill (2006), OT Alex Barron (2005), RB Steven Jackson (2004), DT Jimmy Kennedy (2003), LB Robert Thomas (2002).
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