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Thanks to the decision to part with the second overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Rams and grandmasteroz step back up to the podium for the second time in the 2014 Battle Red Blog Mock Draft. Here's how it went.
With the 13th pick of the 2014 BRB Mock Draft, the St. Louis Rams select Jake Matthews (OT--Texas A&M).
So, that worked out good. After taking Jadeveon Clowney with the second pick of the draft, I was in wait-and-see mode with this pick, hoping either Greg Robinson or Jake Matthews would drop. Many expect Matthews to go in the top 10, and I agree. But his fall ends here as the Rams get their left tackle of the future. Not a bad first round for the Rama.
The Rams need help at WR, but Mike Evans is gone and the depth is good enough in the second round to take one there. I could go with Calvin Pryor at safety, another spot of need, but again, the Rams could get a safety in the second should they close to not go WR.
That leaves OT, which is why Matthews gets the nod. He's a top 10 talent and a master technician. With Rodger Saffold staying in St. Louis, Matthews can either slot in at LT right away or play on the right side for a year or two. Matthews will greatly improve the pass blocking and run blocking and, if their current and future receivers turn into what the team hopes, Sam Bradford could be in for a good season. Bradford needs better OL play to keep him upright and give him time to throw.
If Bradford still can't succeed, look for the Rams to go QB next year. If I was Bradford, I'd be jumping for joy at this pick.
Not a bad little draft for the Rams. Jadeveon Clowney and Jake Matthews? Yowza. Leave your thoughts in the Comments below.
JayTrain53 and Da Bears are on the clock. That pick is due to me by 12 p.m. CDT today.
Recapping the draft thus far...
1. Houston Texans--Sammy Watkins (WR--Clemson)
2. St. Louis Rams (from Washington)--Jadeveon Clowney (DE--South Carolina)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars--Johnny Manziel (QB--Texas A&M)
4. Cleveland Browns--Teddy Bridgewater (QB--Louisville)
5. Oakland Raiders--Khalil Mack (LB--Buffalo)
6. Atlanta Falcons--Anthony Barr (LB--UCLA)
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers--Eric Ebron (TE--UNC)
8. Minnesota Vikings--Greg Robinson (OT--Auburn)
9. Buffalo Bills--Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (S--Alabama)
10. Detroit Lions--Mike Evans (WR--Texas A&M)
11. Tennessee Titans--Justin Gilbert (CB--Oklahoma State)
12. New York Giants--Aaron Donald (DT--Pittsburgh)
13. St. Louis Rams--Jake Matthews (OT--Texas A&M)
14. Chicago Bears--JayTrain52
15. Denver Broncos (TRADE WITH STEELERS) --Capt. Ron
16. Dallas Cowboys--TonyOverTroy
17. Baltimore Ravens--TexanSam
18. New York Jets--Sugel Mendoza
19. Miami Dolphins--bt20
20. Arizona Cardinals--Lukayyy
21. Green Bay Packers--gyeager
22. Philadelphia Eagles--gm.in.waiting
23. Kansas City Chiefs--MrCatPants
24. Cincinnati Bengals--hlc1221
25. San Diego Chargers--f22a4bandit
26. Cleveland Browns--FreedomRide
27. New Orleans Saints--H&Hguy
28. Carolina Panthers--Nashmeister
29. New England Patriots--37bp
30. San Francisco 49ers--TexansDC
31. Pittsburgh Steelers (TRADE WITH BRONCOS) --Steel Blue Crew
32. Seattle Seahawks--UprootedTexan
33. Houston Texans--bhsman