St Louis Rams Regular Season Preview: Why Bradford Should Blossom in 2012 - Bleacher Report

Not only did Bradford struggle last season, but his wide receiver corpsâ€"which was regarded as sub-par to begin withâ€"struggled with slippery hands right out of the gate. 

In addition, Bradford lost his top target, Danny Amendola, in week No. 1 and eventually lost Danario Alexander, Michael Hoomanawanui and rookies Greg Salas and Austin Pettis for all or parts of the year. 

Even those who stayed healthy often disappointed, as was the case with second-round rookie Lance Kendricks, who struggled in various ways for the better part of his first NFL season. 

Looking to this year, Amendola is back and the Rams have added 2009 Pro Bowl wide receiver Steve Smith, who caught 107 passes in 2009.  

If the 26-year-old Smith can bounce back to Pro Bowl form following his late 2010 microfracture surgery, he and Amendola could make a huge impact for Bradford and the offense. 

The Rams also talked with free-agent wide receivers Jerome Simpson (26) and Jerricho Cotchery (29) last week.

If St. Louis adds one of the two, either could also contribute this year.  Simpson is extremely athletic, as evidenced here, and hauled in 50 catches for 725 yards and four touchdowns last year. 

After receiving just 15 days in jail and three years probation for drug charges, after visiting Rams Park, it would seem reasonable that St. Louis could offer him a contract at some point. 

Cotchery knows new Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's offense well, after sharing several mutual years with the New York Jets, and could aid both with production and in helping other wideouts to grasp the offense a little quicker. 

Even more help could, and most likely will, come by way of the 2012 NFL Draft. 

Most expect that St. Louis will use at least one of its early-round picks on a wide receiver.

The Rams possess three of the first 39 picks, so the opportunity to grab one or more elite prospects at wideout (Justin Blackmon, Michael Floyd, Kendall Wright, Stephen Hill, Alshon Jeffery, Mohamed Sanu or Reuben Randle) is ample.

It looks conceivable that St. Louis may enter the coming season with at least three, and possibly four, new receivers on the opening day roster. 

After fielding an atrocious offense in 2011 that averaged just 12.1 points per game, that would be considered a good thing by most observers. 

The Rams have needed enhanced passing game weaponry since the conclusion of the Torry Holt-Isaac Bruce era, and it looks as if St. Louis will have added significant upgrades there by the culmination of the 2012 NFL Draft.