I know this may come as a bit of a shock to some of you, but the St. Louis Rams aren't too far off from being a pretty good team. Yes, the same Rams that hasn't enjoyed a winning season in over a decade could actually be pretty solid in the near future.
Sure, the team still has major questions at quarterback. Will Sam Bradford be the starter next season? If so, can he be effective? But, the team's fearsome front seven and overall improving defense will keep them competitive. The Rams did score wins over the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos in 2014, after all.
One way to help whoever is playing quarterback for them in 2015 is to add a difference-making wide receiver. With the NFL draft coming up, the Rams may do just that. ESPN NFL Draft Insider Todd McShay projects St. Louis to select Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper with the tenth overall pick in his Mock Draft 3.0.
"The Rams' biggest need is at quarterback, but in this scenario they aren't getting one," McShay wrote. "We don't project trades in these mocks, and it's hard to see St. Louis being able to draft Winston or Mariota on April 30 without trading up to do so...I have them filling their need at wide receiver with a great value pick in Cooper, our No. 3 overall player. He is NFL-ready with great savvy as a route runner, separation skills, ball skills and run-after-catch ability. His 4.42 40-yard dash at the combine confirmed he has good speed."
Cooper set SEC records last season when he caught 115 passes for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns. He is generally considered to be the top wide receiver in this year's class. Cooper could develop into a true No. 1 wide receiver, allowing St. Louis' current pass catchers in Stedman Bailey and Brian Quick to perform in complimentary roles. Throw in the emergence of Tre Mason and the Rams' offense is starting to look up.
St. Louis will just have to hope that Cooper falls to them at ten.
