Power Rankings: Post-Draft Offenses (26-32)

Aug 24, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; St. Louis Rams tight end Jared Cook (89) is congratulated by his teammates for a touchdown catch during the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field . Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

St. Louis Rams
Last Season’s Rankings: #30 Overall Offense (304.8 total yards per game) #27 Passing Offense (195.3 passing yards per game) #19 Rushing Offense (109.5 rushing yards per game)

With rookie steals such as Vanderbilt’s Zac Stacy and Middle Tennessee State’s Benny Cunningham (Stacy a late-round pick and Cunningham an undrafted free-agent), the Rams rush offense averaged 105.2 yards per game in the last 10 games (81.3 from Stacy and 23.9 yards per game from Cunningham). Out of Vanderbilt, Zac Stacy came on week 5 and went off. In his 12 games started this season, Stacy averaged 3.9 yards per carry to go along with 7 rushing touchdowns and 141 receiving yards on 26 receptions.I believe that with the combination of Stacy’s bowling ball running style and Cunningham’s additional speed, this Rams running game has the potential to lead the NFC West in rushing (barring Marshawn “Mow Your Lawn” Lynch doesn’t absolutely go off next season).

As the Rams probable number three running back next to Benny Cunningham, rookie Tre Mason should be able to see some time this season. The problem I have with this pick is not in the player. In fact I think Tre Mason is a wonderful back and probably should have been selected a little bit earlier. He has the speed and size of a normal NFL RB to go along with national championship level experience. However, in the Rams’ circumstance, the need for another RB is just not there. The Rams’ Zac Stacy performed wonderfully last season given that he was only a rookie, bursting onto the scene with 973 yards and 7 rushing touchdowns to go with Cunningham’s 5.6 yards per carry average on 47 carries. With Mason in the mix with Stacy, Cunningham and Richardson, the Rams are going to have to make some tough decisions come training camp time. But while some people may look at that as a downside, I see it as an upside. Would you rather have no good backs or four good backs? Think about it.

On the flip side though, this Rams’ passing game struggled to get it’s feet off the gr0und so to speak. With Sam Bradford averaging a modest 227.1 yards per game before his injury, the Rams were caught unwillingly off guard when Bradford went down with an injury in week 5 and were forced to put in 30 year-old backup Kellen Clemens. Admittedly Clemens started to play well towards the end of the season when he averaged a 73.3% completion percentage and 1 touchdown per game in his last 3 games as the Rams went 2-1. Problem was though that Clemens good play was too little too late, as he only started to play well after completing only 53% of his passes and throwing 5 interceptions as the Rams managed a 2-4 record. Problem with the Rams was with their age riddled QB but also with their receiving corps. A lot of the Rams losses in 2013 were in part due to their talented division in the NFC West with Seattle, Arizona and San Francisco. Outside of the NFC West, the Rams went an adequate 6-4 on the season. Although a tough division is no excuse for losing, the Rams had to make do for nine games with the mediocre talent of former Oregon Duck Kellen Clemens in place of the injured Sam Bradford. In just 7 games Bradford was able to throw for more yards and more touchdowns than Clemens was able to do in 9 games. The reason that the Rams didn’t make the playoffs in 2013 was not all because of their defense (which happened to be ranked 15th in total yardage and 13th in points allowed per game in 2013), but rather their struggling and inconsistent offense.

Sam Bradford (the Rams’ first round and #1 overall draft choice in 2010) hasn’t been spectacular, but he hasn’t been horrible either. I think this season should be an indicator for him and the Rams as to whether keep him or ditch him. Basically what the “indication season” means is this: Bradford has averaged 225.8 yards per game (more yards per game than “elite” Joe Flacco) as well as a touchdown to interception ratio of 1.55:1, better than Eli Manning and Flacco. I think this season you give Bradford one last chance to earn his #1 overall pick status, if he doesn’t perform up to expectations (let’s say 4,000 yards and at least 22 touchdowns), then start preparing to draft another QB in the 2015 draft. For the time being though, surround Bradford with some A-Class talent and give him the best opportunity to succeed in this offense. The Rams do have a lot of underrated receiving talent in rookie Tavon Austin (#8 overall pick from 2013), reliable Chris Givens (569 receiving yards) and physical, 6’5″ TE Jared Cook (671 yards and 5 touchdowns).

As predicted, OT Greg Robinson out of Auburn University was selected #2 overall. Many may question his experience seeing as that he is only a sophomore, however his physical prowess and technical blocking abilities more than make up for it. At the combine Robinson was able to run a 4.94 40-yard dash, jump 28.5″, and do 32 225-pound bench presses. Robinson is strong, but he is also very quick with his hand placement and his footwork. His long arms and strong legs give him the ability to send just about any defender back into the middle of next week with relative ease. In terms of potential selections the Rams could have selected, the Rams selected the best that was available.  Many question whether or not they could have selected WR Sammy Watkins as the #2 overall pick. To those who think that the Rams need a WR, you are most definitely right. Last season the Rams passing game needed some help at the receiving position considering that TE Jared Cook was the Rams’ leading receiver. However, with the addition of former Titans’ receiver Kenny Britt, the Rams have decent deep threat who can help Sam Bradford deep down the field.