St. Louis Rams: Redrafting the 2015 NFL Draft

Is it ever too early to partake in a bit of hindsight?

When it comes to the St. Louis Rams and the NFL draft, the answer is a resounding no.

By most accounts, the Rams had a very solid draft, and I tend to agree. However, as is the case at times, when a team feels like they start the draft with some momentum, the picks can trail off in the middle rounds.

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It is easy to second-guess the picks at this junction, but this is more about a hypothetical. We will all know if these players turn out to be quality NFL players or not. So it isn’t as if this is simple conjecture. I think for the most part the Rams addressed their needs with quality players. Nevertheless, there are some spots where they look to have missed the boat and reached for players, favoring them over better talent. Let’s see how the Rams draft could have gone.

First Round

The Pick: RB Todd Gurley (Georgia)

Our Pick: Gurley

I leave former Georgia running back Todd Gurley in this spot, but I do so begrudgingly. There’s no doubt Gurley is an incredible talent. However, it is a fair point that pick No. 10 was too early for a running back coming off of a knee injury. Considering how the rest of the draft unfolded, it wouldn’t have been unreasonable to see the Rams opt for a big offensive lineman here without batting an eye.

St. Louis Rams tackle Rob Havenstien (79) runs through a drill during rookie minicamp at Rams Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

Second Round

The Pick: T Rob Havenstein (Wisconsin)

Our Pick: Havenstein

It is hard to argue with a pick like Havenstein in the second round. If the goal of the Rams is to build a powerful offensive line, this pick was a step in the right direction. With Greg Robinson entrenched on the left side, Havenstein on the right side makes perfect sense. This pick was part of the reason for maintaining the status quo in the first round.

Third Round

The Pick: G Jamon Brown (Louisville)

Our Pick: Brown

Once again I am fully on board with the philosophy of the Rams front office. In three picks they have rebuilt the right side of the offensive line and added a powerful force in the rushing game. This was a great point to pull Brown in, as he likely wouldn’t have lasted much longer.

Oct 4, 2014; Boulder, CO, USA; Oregon State Beavers quarterback Sean Mannion (4) calls out an audible in the first quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Third Round

The Pick: QB Sean Mannion (Oregon State)

Our Pick: WR Ty Montgomery (Stanford)

Here’s where things went a bit off the rails for the Rams. To say the pick of quarterback Sean Mannion was puzzling is an understatement. Mannion is an average-armed player with underwhelming anticipation coming out of a novelty college offense.

So, this time around, I go with former Stanford wide receiver Ty Montgomery. At worst he adds a dynamic element to the return game, but best-case scenario he’s the No. 3 wide receiver, starting kick and punt returner and even adds some punch out of the backfield.

Fourth Round

The Pick: T Andrew Donnal (Iowa)

Our Pick: CB Doran Grant (Ohio State)

As the Rams went back on the clock in the fourth round, they originally opted for former Iowa offensive lineman Andrew Donnal. While he is a nice rotational player, the Rams were staring down a future NFL star. Cornerback Doran Grant was viewed by some as a second-round pick, but slid because of concerns over size. After how well things worked out with E.J. Gaines, I doubt St. Louis would care. With Janoris Jenkins something of a question, adding an experienced, productive cornerback like Grant makes a ton of sense.

Sixth Round

The Pick: WR Bud Sasser (Missouri)

Our Pick: FB Aaron Ripkowski (Oklahoma)

I have no qualms with the Rams drafting wide receiver Bud Sasser here, but if they are serious about creating a power-rushing game, why not get the most intense fullback in the draft. Aaron Ripkowski is a total throwback player who can pound it as a true fullback, but also impact the passing game as more of a tight end presence.

Sixth Round

The Pick: G Cody Wichmann (Fresno State)

Our Pick: Wichmann

In this scenario, keeping Wichmann with this pick makes perfect sense. Passing on Donnal earlier in the draft makes this pick is a great value as well as filling a need. There’s little difference between Donnal and Wichmann and so he’ll still be firmly in the mix for a backup spot at guard.

Jan 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Baylor Bears linebacker Bryce Hager (44) during the game against the Michigan State Spartans in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. The Spartans defeated the Bears 42-41. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Seventh Round

The Pick: LB Bryce Hager (Baylor)

Our Pick: WR Dezmin Lewis (Central Arkansas)

AfteOr passing on Sasser in the sixth round, the Rams come back around in the seventh and get a player who is arguably more talented, and still fits the mold of a big wide receiver. Lewis is likely to get lost on the Buffalo Bills depth chart, but would have a real shot at a roster spot in St. Louis.

Seventh Round

The Pick: DE Idefi Martin (Memphis)

Our Pick: CB Ifo-Ekpre Olomu (Oregon)

It’s hard to argue for or against any pick. The reality is that in many cases, a seventh-round pick is a longshot to make a roster at all. With that being the case, rather than draft a defensive end like Martin Ifedi, something of a Michael Sam clone, and instead get a boom or bust prospect in Ekpre-Olomu. Prior to his injury, the former Oregon star was a first-round prospect, so why not roll the dice here?

Next: Keep an eye on Todd Gurley

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