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My sincere apologies for the delays in getting this pick up. The individual tasked with acting as decision-maker for the Rams, gm.in.waiting, failed to get a pick to me (and I even checked my junk folder this time), so we had to make the pick after an internal discussion. Brett Kollmann suggested the following player and was kind enough to provide the write-up.
The Rams have a young, ferocious, and talented roster that is one or two players away from being a big fish in this league. Jake Long addressed the perennial need at left tackle in free agency, and Jared Cook should give Sam Bradford another toy to play with. That leaves the safety position as the primary hole in the lineup, as both starters from 2012 are no longer on the team. Jonathan Cyprien (S--Florida International) is a versatile, instinctive defensive back that can man up on receivers in the slot or patrol in deep zones. Together with their intimidating corner duo of Cortland Finnegan and Janoris Jenkins and their even more intimidating front four, Cyprien could make the Rams' defense ridiculously good in 2013.
Cyprien has been a big riser in recent weeks, so it's entirely possible he vaults up to the middle of the first round, finding a home with a team in need of secondary help. Thanks to Brett for taking the time to provide the analysis for this pick. The Night Owl and the Minnesota Vikings are now on the clock. That pick is due to me via e-mail by noon CDT.
Recapping...
1. Kansas City Chiefs--Luke Joeckel (OT--Texas A&M)
2. Jacksonville Jaguars--Eric Fisher (OT--Central Michigan)
3. Oakland Raiders--Sharrif Floyd (DT--Florida)
4. Philadelphia Eagles--Dee Milliner (CB--Alabama)
5. Detroit Lions--Jarvis Jones (LB--Georgia)
6. Cleveland Browns--Keenan Allen (WR--Cal)
7. Arizona Cardinals--Chance Warmack (OG--Alabama)
8. Buffalo Bills--Geno Smith (QB--West Virginia)
9. New York Jets--Dion Jordan (DE/OLB--Oregon)
10. Tennessee Titans--Ezekial Ansah (DE--BYU)
11. San Diego Chargers--Lane Johnson (OT--Oklahoma)
12. Miami Dolphins--Barkevious Mingo (DE/OLB--LSU)
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers--Tavon Austin (WR--West Virginia)
14. Carolina Panthers--Star Lotulelei (DT--Utah)
15. New Orleans Saints--Sheldon Richardson (DT--Missouri)
16. St. Louis Rams--DeAndre Hopkins (WR--Clemson)
17. Pittsburgh Steelers--Cordarrelle Patterson (WR--Tennessee)
18. Dallas Cowboys--Jonathan Cooper (G--North Carolina)
19. New York Giants--Bjoern Wagner (DE--Florida State)
20. Chicago Bears--Tyler Eifert (TE--Notre Dame)
21. Cincinnati Bengals--Kenny Vaccaro (S--Texas)
22. St. Louis Rams--Jonathan Cyprien (S--Florida International)
23. Minnesota Vikings--The Night Owl
24. Indianapolis Colts--ckone
25. Minnesota Vikings--The Night Owl
26. Green Bay Packers--krkenney
27. Houston Texans--BRB Staff
28. Denver Broncos--Capt Ron
29. New England Patriots--MaloneyPony
30. Atlanta Falcons--riversmccown
31. San Francisco 49ers--TexansDC
32. Baltimore Ravens--Cougfan