Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Kony Ealy (47) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the first half of the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
The St. Louis Rams are bringing in a local product for a pre-draft visit today, as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Jim Thomas reports that Missouri Tigers product Kony Ealy is in town today. Ealy is expected to be off the board in the first round, and I can’t see the Rams taking him in the first with much bigger needs at other positions. They will likely trade down from the second overall pick and are eyeing defensive back or wide receiver help with their first-round choices, as they have one of the best defensive end duos in the NFL in Robert Quinn and Chris Long. That hasn’t stopped Jadeveon Clowney speculation, but Clowney is also a ridiculously good prospect, whereas Ealy is merely a “very good” prospect.
That said, Ealy could be an option for the Rams if he falls out of the first round, because he could be too good for them to pass up on. Evaluators aren’t sure where Ealy fits in this league, as some believe he can be an edge rusher, others think he can kick inside as a three-tech if needed, whereas others don’t see a future for him in the NFL outside of a traditional 4-3 DE role.
The Rams aren’t the only team with an elite DE duo taking a look at Ealy, as the Carolina Panthers also brought him in for a workout earlier this week. Since he’s a local product, the Rams have every reason to take advantage of a free look at a talented prospect, even if he most likely won’t land in St. Louis.