NFL Mock Draft 2013: St. Louis Rams' extra pick makes protecting Sam Bradford crucial

The St. Louis Rams' need for a wide receiver has been complicated of late by rookie Chris Givens's impressive play, but the offensive line--the Rams' other longtime Position Of Need--has done little to change the other half of the 2013 NFL Mock Draft received wisdom: The Rams need somebody who can protect Sam Bradford. Rokevious Watkins, the lineman they selected just after Givens, hasn't cracked an injury-prone rotation. With two picks in the first round in 2013, it's harder than ever to see them passing up the chance to upgrade something that's been a problem area basically since Orlando Pace lost a step.

WalterFootball.com's most recent mock draft takes a novel approach: The Rams, who won themselves out of the Luke Joeckel sweepstakes, avoid OTs entirely and take Alabama guard Chance Warmack with the No. 16 pick. (Rams fans who were hoping to see them grab David DeCastro last year will be pleased.)

With starting guard Harvey Dahl out for the season, this typically unglamorous position is on Rams fans and draft-watchers' minds even more than usual. And Sam Bradford will probably tell you that's a good thing.