The St. Louis Rams have done a good job of amassing young talent in recent seasons. The team has a fearsome front seven and arguably the NFL's most dangerous defensive line. There is an enticing stable of running backs and some quality complimentary receivers. Nick Foles is expected to bring some long sought after stability to the quarterback position.
But the Rams still lack a true No. 1 receiver and have a few holes up front on their offensive line and in the secondary. Fortunately for them, the upcoming NFL Draft offers some solutions at those positions of need. ESPN NFL Draft Insider Mel Kiper Jr. projects the Rams to select Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker (No. 10), Pitt offensive tackle T.J. Clemmings (No. 41) and Florida Atlantic cornerback D'Joun Smith (No. 72) in his latest three round mock draft.
"I'm simply not content to go into a pivotal season with Kenny Britt and Tavon Austin as the top two options at wide receiver," Kiper wrote. "I've seen Parker dinged on production before, but Louisville really spread the ball around when Teddy Bridgewater was there, and he missed the first half of the season last year with a broken foot. He gives us a downfield threat who offers up a big catch radius and the ability to make plays with the ball in his hands. Clemmings is a high-upside play I'm surprised is still on the board at No. 41. I think he'll have growing pains as a pass protector, but given the need we still have, starting at right tackle, it doesn't seem wise to pass on his talent at this point. We hit a home run in last year's draft with E.J. Gaines, and I'm hoping Smith comes in, provides immediate depth and eventual starts the way Gaines did. This is going to be a great secondary for playmakers given the state of our defensive line. Quarterbacks will be under duress."
The Rams have long been linked to Parker throughout this pre-draft process. He would bring a playmaking element to this passing attack that has been missing since The Greatest Show on Turf. As Kiper noted, Clemmings may not be able to start right away but he's got enough upside that some draft experts even have him going in the first-round. Smith, meanwhile, has the ball skills that would fit right in with this defense.
St. Louis has not enjoyed a winning season in over a decade. But if Foles can play near the level he did in 2013 and the incoming crop of rookies can contribute, head coach Jeff Fisher may have this team over .500.
