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The St. Louis Rams traded the sixth pick of the 2012 NFL Draft to the Dallas Cowboys for the 14th and 45th overall picks, on Thursday, April 26. The Rams then selected LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers.
The first round was hard to swallow as a Rams fan. When the Jacksonville Jaguars traded up to get Justin Blackmon, I figured St. Louis would select Fletcher Cox or trade down in hopes of getting Michael Floyd. I just never thought they would accept a trade that would leave them picking after the Arizona Cardinals. I knew the Cardinals were interested in Floyd, and I didn’t like the Rams risking their shot at one of the best receivers in the draft.
Don’t get me wrong. I hoped the Rams would trade down. I just didn’t want them to drop below the 12th pick. I felt that Floyd was the best fit for the Rams, and when the Cardinals took him, I was left fuming.
However, when the Rams selected Brockers, it all made sense. I remember reading about how he’d impressed the team a few weeks ago, and I thought he might be on their radar. However, that was before Brockers started falling on draft boards. I soon became obsessed with the Rams getting either Floyd or Blackmon and didn’t pay any more attention to Brockers. I may have forgotten about him, but the Rams were obviously keeping tabs on the LSU tackle.
The team needed a run stuffer, and that’s exactly what Brockers is. He’s a big, athletic tackle, who is unpolished, yet full of potential. When you consider that the Rams were 31st in the NFL in 2011 against the rush, drafting Brockers upgrades their entire defense. He’s an immediate starter who fills a huge hole in the trenches.
It still hurts to lose Blackmon and Floyd, but I understand what the Rams are doing. Georgia Tech receiver Stephen Hill is still available. If the Rams take him with the first pick of the second round, I think everything will turn out fine. The team needs speed on the outside, and that’s Hill’s greatest asset. His presence on the offense will help the Rams stretch the field and keep defenses honest.
I hope the Rams take Hill and fill that void at wide receiver. Meanwhile, I’m excited about Michael Brockers and what he brings to the defense. Training camp can’t get here soon enough.
Derek Ciapala has been a Rams fan since he was a child and the team was in Los Angeles. His favorite Rams moments include Flipper Anderson’s 336-yard receiving night against the Saints in 1989, and their miracle 1999 run to their first Super Bowl victory. You can follow him on Twitter @dciapala.
(Originally published on Yahoo! Sports)
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The St. Louis Rams traded the sixth pick of the 2012 NFL Draft to the Dallas Cowboys for the 14th and 45th overall picks, on Thursday, April 26. The Rams then selected LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers.
The first round was hard to swallow as a Rams fan. When the Jacksonville Jaguars traded up to get Justin Blackmon, I figured St. Louis would select Fletcher Cox or trade down in hopes of getting Michael Floyd. I just never thought they would accept a trade that would leave them picking after the Arizona Cardinals. I knew the Cardinals were interested in Floyd, and I didn’t like the Rams risking their shot at one of the best receivers in the draft.
Don’t get me wrong. I hoped the Rams would trade down. I just didn’t want them to drop below the 12th pick. I felt that Floyd was the best fit for the Rams, and when the Cardinals took him, I was left fuming.
However, when the Rams selected Brockers, it all made sense. I remember reading about how he’d impressed the team a few weeks ago, and I thought he might be on their radar. However, that was before Brockers started falling on draft boards. I soon became obsessed with the Rams getting either Floyd or Blackmon and didn’t pay any more attention to Brockers. I may have forgotten about him, but the Rams were obviously keeping tabs on the LSU tackle.
The team needed a run stuffer, and that’s exactly what Brockers is. He’s a big, athletic tackle, who is unpolished, yet full of potential. When you consider that the Rams were 31st in the NFL in 2011 against the rush, drafting Brockers upgrades their entire defense. He’s an immediate starter who fills a huge hole in the trenches.
It still hurts to lose Blackmon and Floyd, but I understand what the Rams are doing. Georgia Tech receiver Stephen Hill is still available. If the Rams take him with the first pick of the second round, I think everything will turn out fine. The team needs speed on the outside, and that’s Hill’s greatest asset. His presence on the offense will help the Rams stretch the field and keep defenses honest.
I hope the Rams take Hill and fill that void at wide receiver. Meanwhile, I’m excited about Michael Brockers and what he brings to the defense. Training camp can’t get here soon enough.
Derek Ciapala has been a Rams fan since he was a child and the team was in Los Angeles. His favorite Rams moments include Flipper Anderson’s 336-yard receiving night against the Saints in 1989, and their miracle 1999 run to their first Super Bowl victory. You can follow him on Twitter @dciapala.
(Originally published on Yahoo! Sports)
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