Round 1, Pick 2 (2) Chris Long DE 6'4" 275 Virginia
For the second straight year, the Rams go with a defensive lineman in the first
round. Long played as a true freshman in 2004 and started 37 games over the past
three years at Virginia. His best traits are strength and a quick first step.
Round 2, Pick 2 (33) Donnie Avery WR 5'11" 186 Houston
Few had Avery as their No. 1 wide receiver, but Scott Linehan loves speed. Avery
ran really fast at his pro day (4.34) He should be a good fit for the system in
St. Louis.
Round 3, Pick 2 (65) John Greco OT 6'5" 320 Toledo
The Rams are looking to get more physical up front, and in Greco they get a guy
with a lot of potential.
Round 4, Pick 2 (101) Justin King CB 5'11" 192 Penn State
King is one of the fastest corners remaining and is a good value at this point
in the draft. He'll probably play as a nickelback at in St. Louis.
Round 4, Pick 29 (128) (From Packers) Keenan Burton WR 6'1" 200 Kentucky
Burton is a fast player and has good size. His measurables are strong and he was
productive at Kentucky.
Round 5, Pick 22 (157)
(From Titans through Redskins) Roy Schuening OG 6'4" 308 Oregon St.
Schuening made 50 college starts, but played most of this year with pneumonia
and couldn't shake it. He did not play particularly well against Sedrick Ellis,
but had a good career at Oregon State and is a very solid player.
Round 7, Pick 21 (228) (From Redskins) Chris Chamberlain DB 6'2" 226 Tulsa
Tulsa had a large crowd at its pro day because of quarterback Paul Smith.
However, Chamberlin was the guy who ended up wowing scouts with his incredible
workout.
Round 7, Pick 45 (252)
(Compensatory selection) David Vobora OLB 6'1" 236 Idaho
Vobora projects as a linebacker. He had a great workout and fits at the will
position.
St. Louis Rams 2008 NFL Preview
The Rams can make some noise on
offense if they can protect Bulger, Isaac Bruce is off to San Fran,
but Torry Holt is still around and if you can get him you had best
make him your number one fantasy receiver. The defense will need
Chris Long to step right in and play at a high level. If everything
goes perfectly the Rams could be as good as 9-7, but most likely it
will take a year for Saunders to get his offense popping sp we are
going to go with 6-10.
Offense:
Can Marc Bulger survive another season like the last couple? With Al
Saunders in as offensive coordinator and consummate pro in the offense
Trent Green to tutor him, he could have a big bounceback year. It's all
going to depend on how well that line can protect him. Torry Holt and
Drew Bennett will be the main targets, and Steven Jackson will continue
to be the featured back, and in a Saunders offense he should have
monster numbers.
Defense: If Leonard Little can return to form, the defense will be mich
better. Last year, Will Witherspoon had to move up and rush the passer
to compensate for Little, this year he will be free to roam sideline to
sideline. Still defense is not where the Rams are going to excel, its
all going to be on the shoulders of Saunders and Bulger to return the
"Greatest Show on Turf" defense is just an afterthought in St. Louis.
Rookie CB Justin King suffered a torn ligament in his against the Titans
and is out for the season.
