St. Louis Rams: Drafting Kevin White fills immediate needs

By Luis Tirado Jr. | Feb 24, 2015

The St. Louis Rams are a relatively young football team with potential to make some noise within the next few years. They have some issues to fix this offseason with their offensive line but one area they truly need to upgrade is at wide receiver. Consistency in their passing game is what is hindering their progression in really racking up wins since they are a playmaker or two away from closing the gap in becoming a competitive team in the tough division of the NFC West.

Nov 1, 2014; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Kevin White (11) runs past TCU Horned Frogs cornerback Ranthony Texada (11) during the first quarter at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

This is why drafting University of West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White makes sense for the Rams.

With the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, the Rams are in a good position to land White. Since all eyes are on Amari Cooper and Devante Parker, he could make it to when the Rams are on the clock. White would give the Rams a much needed boost to their passing game since they were lacking in that area last season in which they ultimately ranked 23rd in the league with 212.5 passing yards per game.

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At the 2015 NFL Combine, White proved he will be a force to reckon with thanks to his speed, aggression and the ability to make plays once the football is in his hands.

This is something the Rams are lacking in since their receiving corps doesn’t exactly intimidate opposing defenses. Adding what White would bring to the table would give the Rams a nice dimension on offense while giving hopeful-starting quarterback Sam Bradford a solid option to rely on.

The Rams are a team on the rise since last season they proved they could hang with the big boys. Last year, they were the only team to beat the Seattle Seahawks, Denver Broncos and the San Francisco 49ers. But due to their inconsistency on offense, they ended up posting a 6-10 overall record while being at the bottom of the division. If Bradford returns healthy and plays like he use to before his second knee injury, adding White to his arsenal would work wonders in his bounce-back year.

White ended up with a 4.35 second 40-yard dash which was faster than what Cooper posted at 4.42. He also had a higher vertical jump than Cooper at 36.5 inches which means when it comes to scoring touchdowns in the red zone, White would ideally be the better receiver to haul up and come down with it for the score. Another great attribute White has is how physical he can be when trying to create separation and the big plays he makes when he runs after the catch.

Sep 7, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin (11) is tackled by Minnesota Vikings defensive back Robert Blanton (36) during the first half at the Edward Jones Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

With a new offensive coordinator in Frank Cignetti, it’s important to build through the draft and give him more weapons to succeed in 2015. Wide receiver is an immediate need since former first-round pick Tavon Austin hasn’t live up to his potential yet.

Kenny Britt is also a set to be free agent so if he bolts via free agency, they would have to fill the void he leaves behind. While the Rams are expected to make some noise in free agency to bolster their offensive line, it’s best they add a top notch receiver like White via the draft to add more depth and talent to the position.

Overall, the Rams only have five picks in this year’s draft as they must make every single one count to make it successful. Considering that they haven’t had a single wide receiver compile more than 800 yards in a season since 2007 (Torry Holt, 1,189), it’s about time they joined the party in having a true No. 1 wide receiver like every other team. White can break the mold and be an instant X-Factor once he makes his NFL debut.

Next: St. Louis Rams: 5 Questions Worth Asking

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