Jadeveon Clowney visiting St. Louis Rams today
South Carolina Gamecocks Jadeveon Clowney puts shoes on during the 2014 NFL Combine. Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The St. Louis Rams have an insanely talented defensive end duo already in Robert Quinn and Chris Long, and Quinn was the second-best defensive player in the league last year behind J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans. Quinn is a ridiculously good pass rusher who can bring it against the run, and Long also excels at putting pressure on the quarterback. The scary thing is that the Rams defensive ends could reach legendary territory after the 2014 NFL Draft, as there’s a strong possibility the Rams bypass need and go “best player available” by taking South Carolina Gamecocks DE Jadeveon Clowney with the second overall pick.
While the Rams are expected to trade down from No. 2 and should explore this option first, it’s possible that they simply won’t be able to do that. If that’s the case, then Clowney, Sammy Watkins, or a top offensive tackle prospect like Jake Matthews would make sense. I personally hope the Rams snag Watkins instead of stacking things up at OT and DE, but those are both valuable positions and contain incredibly gifted players in this year’s draft class.
The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that Clowney is working out with the Rams today, and he finishes his tweet with, “Imagine him in that defense…” I’m sure plenty of Rams fans are salivating at that, but I wonder if it would be too much of an embarrassment of riches at the position. Then again, the Seattle Seahawks did the same last offseason at DE. Then again, they also didn’t have big needs in the secondary and a need for a No. 1 receiver. Clowney is very much a possibility for the Rams this year, but I think they are better off trading down and getting Watkins or Mike Evans with Ha Ha Clinton-Dix the pick at 13. If they want to stack up their defensive line, then Aaron Donald might be an even better fit for them, even if he isn’t quite as gifted as Clowney.