Stock Up, Stock Down for Key Rams Heading into Camp - Bleacher Report

Danny Amendola reeled in an impressive 85 catches in 2010, a shocking number for a guy who had previously been viewed by most as a marginal NFL talent. 

To put that year in perspective, only eight other players in the entire league caught more passes that season and three of those (Andre Johnson, Wes Welker and Brandon Marshall) caught just one more pass than the diminutive Rams wideout. 

In fact, only two players in the NFL caught more than nine extra passes than Amendola did two years ago: Roddy White and Reggie Wayne. 

Amendola, now 26, began his career with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent before landing on the practice squad of the Philadelphia Eagles.  

Amendola was eventually signed from the Eagles practice squad before catching 43 balls as a rookie in 2009.  

After losing virtually all of 2011 to injury, Amendola is eager to bounce back. 

When looking at the St. Louis receiving corps, he truly is the only sure thing.  

Danario Alexander has, to this point, been a consistent injury concern. When considering the state of his knees, that is very likely to be a repetitive theme, unfortunately.

A few positives for DX and his potential on remaining on the roster include his minimum salary, a full offseason to build up the legs around his knee due to being surgery-free, and his terrific combination of size, speed and playmaking ability.  As Nick Wagoner of stlouisrams.com put it, he brings a dimension to the team that nobody else does.  

Fourth round rookie Greg Salas looked good last season, especially before going to the injured reserve, and figures to be back and in the rotation. He led the Rams in yards after catch and showed some nice elusiveness. All that said, he is far from being proven. 

Austin Pettis was, for the most part, a major disappointment.  He came on a bit of late before landing a four game drug suspension.  Two of those games are still to be served in 2012.  In my estimation, he is far from a lock to land a roster spot. 

Brandon Gibson had a typical Gibson season.  He made a few plays but looks to be a rotation receiver, at best, if placed on a team with a good group of wideouts.  Considering this is the last year of his deal and a cut would do no harm to the cap and assist in creating space, he too looks to be on the bubble. 

Free agent acquisition Steve Smith, a 2009 Pro Bowl player for the New York Giants, looks to contribute after microfracture surgery in 2010 and a not-quite-healthy 2011 with the Eagles.  

If he can truly get back to 100 percent, the 26 year old could make a bigger impact than most expect. However, considering the severity of microfracture surgery, he is also far from a sure thing. 

Obviously, rookie wide receivers Brian Quick (round two) and Chris Givens (round four) are virtual locks to land on the roster. 

But, alas, they are rookies and rookie years are always unpredictable.  Both have the talent to eventually become terrific wide receivers in this league.  However, there is no guarantee that will happen, particularly in year one.  

That brings us back to Amendola. 

Amendola, according to the aforementioned Wagoner, has been the Rams best receiver during the offseason. 

In my estimation, he will be a major key as a security blanket for Sam Bradford and in moving the chains. 

With the likes of speedster Chris Givens running routes on the outside, Amendola should have more room to work underneath.  

It is amazing, considering how defenses smothered the box and line of scrimmage in 2010, that he was able to be so productive.  

The receiving corps and situation at tight end, although still uncertain, figures to at least be upgraded from that season. 

That should spell a big year for Amendola and an increase in his rather low yard per catch average of 8.1. 

In evaluating his stock, we must compare it to 2010, his last full season. 

Danny Amendola's Season Ending Stock Projection:

Amendola's stock should hold steady, as he projects to have a big year, but not one that will top the 85 catch total he posted two years ago.