Round 1 (#2) – Chris Long, DE, Virginia
Everyone loved this pick, and I don’t have anything against Chris Long, I just think the Rams made a big mistake.  Long has the potential to be a Patrick Kerney-like impact player in the NFL, although it will take a few years for him to get to that level.  What the Rams needed was an impact defensive player who would immediately change the culture of a historically awful defense.  Glenn Dorsey was that guy and the Rams passed on him.  I understand DE was a greater need, but Dorsey was clearly the better player and now St. Louis fans will have to live with watching the next Warren Sapp dominate in their own state.  For their sake, I hope Long can at least be a 10+ sack guy each year, but he’s simply not the difference maker Dorsey is.  If the Rams were picking at #6 and took Long, I’d like the pick a lot more, but I just can’t dismiss the fact that they passed on a guy who they could’ve built around for a guy who is probably more of a building block than a foundation.  Remember, there is a reason Bill Parcells went the safe route with Jake Long and passed on this kid, especially given his relationship with Al Groh.

 Grade: C

 Round 2 (#33) – Donnie Avery, WR, Houston
First of all, the most notable offseason acquisition prior to the draft for the Rams was a kicker.  With their atrocious defense, I don’t even know if ANY wideout would have been a good pick here.  Having said that, they STILL took the wrong guy.  I understand they wanted speed and I know Donnie Avery is a fast kid, but the fastest kid in the draft was still on the board along with any other WR they wanted.  Donnie Avery was NOT the best WR in the draft so if they wanted him that bad, why not explore trading down a bit before taking him.  I don’t like to proclaim a pick a reach, but if any pick was a reach, this was it.  DeSean Jackson not only would’ve been a much better pick, but he also would’ve given the Rams a Hester-like presence in the return game.  Bad, bad, pick.

 Grade: F

 Round 3 (#65) – John Greco, OT, Toledo
The Rams better hope that Alex Barron can take over at LT when Orlando Pace retires because if John Greco can play tackle in the NFL, it will probably have to be on the right side.  The more likely scenario is that he fits in as an OG, and I like his potential there.  Greco is experienced and talented, and plays with good technique.  He could work on his strength but I think will end up as a serviceable offensive lineman in the NFL.  Pretty good pick here, but again- you need help on defense!

 Grade: B-

 Round 4 (#101) – Justin King, CB, Penn State
In terms of speed and raw ability, Justin King is a first round pick.  However, he was exposed a lot in his junior season at Penn State, and his draft stock suffered because of it.  He can hang with any WR, but doesn’t make good decisions and is prone to giving up the big play.  A change of environment and some good coaching could help change his luck so to speak, especially in a good situation.  However, the Rams have an awful secondary and defense in general, so I don’t see this as a great confidence-building opportunity in St. Louis, especially against Larry Fitzgerald each year.  Good player with loads of potential, but it’s 50/50 on whether or not he’ll put it together.

 Grade: B-

 Round 5 (#128) – Keenan Burton, WR, Kentucky
Burton was a good value pick here in round five.  He’s got good speed and quickness, and really showed a lot at Kentucky.  One of Andre Woodson’s favorite targets, Burton has the tools to be a pro wideout and fits in well with the Rams.  Again, a good player here and a good value pick, but they already took a WR and still need loads of help on defense.

 Grade: B-

 Round 5 (#157) – Roy Schuening, OG, Oregon State
The Rams traded up for Schuening here and I have a sneaking suspicion that they wanted to leapfrog division rival Seattle, who most likely had the high-character Schuening on their radar.  Great value in the fifth round, as he could have easily been taken in the third or fourth.  As far as how he fits in with the Rams, I’m not sure he can play tackle in the NFL, although he did have some experience there with the Beavers.  Not the greatest pass blocker, Schuening could develop into a starting caliber OG, helping pave the way for Steven Jackson.

 Grade: B

 Round 7 (#228) – Chris Chamberlin, LB/SS, Tulsa
Nelson Coleman was the only LB on Tulsa with real NFL potential, but the Rams obviously felt Chamberlin could give them some help on special teams.  I can’t really bash a special teams pick but it’s hard for me to praise the rams for waiting until round 7 to address LB and then taking a guy who probably won’t ever play a down other than on specials.

 Grade: C+

 Round 7 (#252) – David Vobora, LB, Idaho
Mr. Irrelevant will give the Rams a project that has the tools but doesn’t play with the technique he’ll need to hang in the NFL.  Waiting until round seven to take a LB was a mistake in my opinion.

 Grade: B-

Needless to say, I was not a huge fan of the Rams draft at all.  For a team picking 2^nd overall, I thought the Rams did a terrible job.  Passing on Glenn Dorsey was a mistake, and grabbing Donnie Avery at #33 before DeSean Jackson was also a misfire in my opinion.  The beauty of the NFL Draft, however, is that if in three years Long and Avery are both quality contributors, no one will care who they passed on, even if Dorsey and Jackson are doing big things in Kansas City and Philly respectively.  Another big negative for me was the lack of concern for the defense.  The Rams did little in the offseason to improve defensively, and although I liked most of their offensive picks in the mid-rounds (Greco, Burton, Schuening), I still thought they should’ve addressed the defense instead.  Plus, both Greco and Schuening are probably OG’s in the NFL, and the Rams need was more at OT.  I thought this team was a few impact defenders away from transforming the culture in St. Louis and becoming a perennial playoff team.  I still think they have a lot of talent in the weak NFC West, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they made the playoffs this season.  However, I really didn’t like this draft at all.

 Grade: D