SB Nation St. Louis - 2012 NFL Mock Draft: St. Louis Rams Deal With A New Set Of Pickshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49009/stl-fave.png2012-04-16T10:35:59-05:00http://stlouis.sbnation.com/rss/stream/23853642012-04-16T10:35:59-05:002012-04-16T10:35:59-05:002012 NFL Mock Draft: Could Trent Richardson Fall To The Rams?
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<p><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">We know that </span><a style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37738/andrew-luck">Andrew Luck</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> and </span><a style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/35519/robert-griffin-iii">Robert Griffin III</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> are going to be the first two picks in the 2012 NFL Draft, and there seems to be a pretty good chance that offensive tackle </span><a style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38278/matt-kalil">Matt Kalil</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> is going to go to the </span><a style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dailynorseman.com/">Minnesota Vikings</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"> at No. 3. But after that, the entire draft hinges on the draft pick of the </span><a style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">, including the </span><a style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">' pick at No. 6.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">The Browns may take quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/8646/ryan-tannehill">Ryan Tannehill</a>, or they may trade out of the spot, or they may just select someone like wide receiver <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37330/justin-blackmon">Justin Blackmon</a>. In his most recent <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2012-nfl-draft/2012/4/16/2950609/2012-nfl-mock-draft-trade-ryan-tannehill">2012 NFL Mock Draft</a>, SB Nation's Ryan Van Bibber has the Browns taking Tannehill, which would leave three of the best prospects in the draft— Blackmon, corner <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78699/morris-claiborne">Morris Claiborne</a> and Trent Richardson— within the Rams' grasp. </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Van Bibber has the Bucs taking Claiborne, which would leave Richardson to the Rams, if they so pleased. St. Louis, of course, has <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/14202/steven-jackson">Steven Jackson</a>, but he's getting up there in age, and there's nothing wrong with having two great running backs.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Here's Van Bibber on the projection:</p>
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<p><b>6. St. Louis Rams (from Washington), <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #c52126; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78256/trent-richardson">Trent Richardson</a>, RB, Alabama</b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Jeff Fisher loves Trent Richardson. He even went so far as to troll draft analysts and stat heads with comments last week proclaiming that the position was not at all devalued in his eyes.</p>
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<p style="margin-bottom: 12px; border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><i style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">For updates, stay tuned to <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #703600; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/">SB Nation St. Louis</a>. For more in-depth Rams coverage, head over to <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #703600; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://turfshowtimes.com/">Turf Show Times</a>. For more on the <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #703600; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://www.sbnation.com/section/2012-nfl-draft">2012 NFL Draft</a>, check out SB Nation's dedicated section and <a style="border-image: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; color: #703600; font-weight: bold; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" href="http://mockingthedraft.com/">Mocking the Draft</a>.</i></p>
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https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2012/4/16/2952180/2012-nfl-mock-draft-ramsJordan Sargent2012-04-14T11:36:29-05:002012-04-14T11:36:29-05:002012 NFL Draft Rumors: Rams And Eagles Linked To Browns In Possible Trade For No. 4 Overall Pick
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> currently hold the <a target="_blank" href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2012/3/27/2905880/nfl-draft-order-2012-st-louis-rams-picks">five picks in the top 100</a> of the 2012 NFL Draft after a trade with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/washington-redskins">Washington Redskins</a>, including No. 6 overall (from Washington), No. 33 overall and No. 39 overall (from Washington), but now they are being mentioned in trade rumors with the Cleveland Browns. Head coach <a href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2012/4/14/2947973/nfl-mock-draft-2012-trade-rumors" target="_blank">Jeff Fisher told Mike and Mike in the Morning that the Rams would consider all trade offers</a>, and specifically mentioned the <a href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a> (who hold the No. 4 overall pick) as a possible trade partner. </p>
<p>On Saturday, Mary Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that <a target="_blank" href="http://cleveland.sbnation.com/cleveland-browns/2012/4/13/2947430/2012-nfl-draft-trade-rumors-cleveland-browns-rams-eagles/in/2419103">the Rams and Eagles are among at least four NFL teams interested</a> in trading up for the Browns' No. 4 pick. As for why those teams would be looking to move up and what they each have to offer,<a href="http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/04/rams_and_eagles_among_about_fo.html" target="_blank"> Cabot made several observations</a>:</p>
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<p>It's not just Texas A&M quarterback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/8646/ryan-tannehill">Ryan Tannehill</a> that teams are after. There's been considerable interest in USC offensive tackle <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/38278/matt-kalil">Matt Kalil</a>, LSU cornerback <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78699/morris-claiborne">Morris Claiborne</a> and Oklahoma State receiver <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37330/justin-blackmon">Justin Blackmon</a>.</p>
<p> The Rams and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Eagles</a> are attractive trade partners because both have two picks in the second round. The Rams have the 33rd overall pick and the 39th pick from their recent trade with Washington. The Eagles have the No. 46 pick in the second round and the No. 51st pick from their trade with Arizona last year for quarterback <span>Kevin Kolb</span>.</p>
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<p>One prospect Cabot neglected to mention is Alabama running back <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78256/trent-richardson">Trent Richardson</a>, who is known to be high on the Rams' list and could be the reason for making a move up in the first round. Russ Lande of the Sporting News, a former scout for the Rams, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2012/4/10/2938987/2012-nfl-draft-trent-richardson-is-st-louis-rams-top-choice-for-sixth">reported that Richardson was the team's "first choice</a>" earlier in the week.</p>
<p><i>For updates, stay tuned to <a href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/">SB Nation St. Louis</a>. For more in-depth Rams coverage, head over to <a href="http://turfshowtimes.com/">Turf Show Times</a>. For more on the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/section/2012-nfl-draft">2012 NFL Draft</a>, check out SB Nation's dedicated section and <a href="http://mockingthedraft.com/">Mocking the Draft</a>.</i></p>
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https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2012/4/14/2948279/2012-nfl-draft-rumors-rams-browns-eagles-trade-no-4-pickSteve von Horn2012-04-14T08:15:45-05:002012-04-14T08:15:45-05:00NFL Mock Draft 2012: St. Louis Rams' Coach Talks Trade With Cleveland Browns
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<p>I'm not sure I appreciate <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> head coach Jeff Fisher horning in on my territory, here; making up 2012 NFL Mock Draft rumors is <i>the internet</i>'<i>s </i>job, not some multi-millionaire head coach who actually has a say in personnel decisions. <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2012/4/13/2946109/2012-nfl-draft-rams-cleveland-browns-trade-rumors#storyjump" target="_blank">He told Mike and Mike in the Morning</a> that the Rams would consider all trade offers, which is one thing—he <i>also</i> specifically mentioned the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dawgsbynature.com/">Cleveland Browns</a>, which is another thing.</p>
<p>So far all that thing is is weird; I'm not sure what the Browns would do with the sixth pick that they won't do with the fourth, and I'm not sure the Rams have any need to trade up unless—and god knows I hope I'm wrong—they're interested in Trent Richardson and afraid they can't get him. </p>
<p>So thanks, Jeff Fisher—first you take my gig, then you ruin my appetite. I appreciate it.</p>
<p>That was <i>sarcasm</i>, Jeff, just in case you didn't catch it; that's the <i>other</i> thing we overproduce on the internet.</p>
<p>More NFL Mock Draft coverage and analysis from SB Nation St. Louis: </p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;">Here's <a href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2012/4/12/2943667/steven-jackson-st-louis-rams-draft-rumors">why the Rams shouldn't draft Trent Richardson as a Steven Jackson replacement</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;">Meanwhile, if the Rams' potential trades have you worried they aren't in on Justin Blackmon, <a href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2012/4/13/2944423/nfl-mock-draft-2012-rams-receiver-rumors">here are the odds on the other wide receivers they could chase</a>. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;">We're also updating our own <a href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2012/4/1/2916994/nfl-mock-draft-2012-first-round-complete">2012 NFL Mock Draft</a> every day with picks and talk. </span></li>
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https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2012/4/14/2947973/nfl-mock-draft-2012-trade-rumorsDan Moore2012-04-13T10:10:04-05:002012-04-13T10:10:04-05:00NFL Mock Draft 2012: Michael Floyd Could Overtake Justin Blackmon As Draft Day Approaches
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<p>If you learn one thing from this especially protracted 2012 NFL Mock Draft cycle, let it be this: No amount of good or bad momentum can overpower a <i>later</i> trust of good or bad momentum. Michael Floyd is this week's primary beneficiary; after falling back toward the bottom of the first round in February and March, Floyd has come so far as to threaten Justin Blackmon's wide receiver primacy in certain mocks; he's even gone to our own <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> once or twice at No. 6. </p>
<p>Of course, this is the news cycle at work. Michael Floyd hasn't done anything good <i>or</i> bad to justify this move; it's just that he's Blackmon's big, athletic opposite number in the exact moment that Blackmon has been attacked by some, or at least pigeon-holed, as "strictly a possession receiver." </p>
<p>I remain convinced that this switch is a fluke, more about that protracted news cycle than anything else. But I <i>also</i> wouldn't feel especially bad if the Rams ended up with either one of these receivers.</p>
<p>More handpicked NFL Mock Draft coverage and analysis from SB Nation St. Louis:</p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;">Aaron Hooks <a href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2012/4/13/2944423/nfl-mock-draft-2012-rams-receiver-rumors">has the draft odds for all the Rams' wide receiver options</a>.</span></li>
<li>
<span style="font-size: 12px;">Meanwhile, my main concern is that </span><span style="font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2012/4/12/2943667/steven-jackson-st-louis-rams-draft-rumors">the Rams don't draft Trent Richardson and make a huge mistake</a></span><span style="font-size: 12px;">.</span>
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<li><span style="font-size: 12px;">Floyd and Blackmon are both off the board in SB Nation St. Louis's <a href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2012/4/1/2916994/nfl-mock-draft-2012-first-round-complete">2012 NFL Mock Draft</a>.</span></li>
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https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2012/4/13/2945671/nfl-mock-draft-2012-michael-floyd-justin-blackmonDan Moore2012-04-12T15:59:04-05:002012-04-12T15:59:04-05:002012 NFL Mock Draft: Rams Select RB Trent Richardson In Latest Mock Draft
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<p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> may look to upgrade their running according to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2012-nfl-draft/2012/4/12/2943297/2012-nfl-mock-draft-first-round">latest mock draft</a> conducted by the SB Nation team blogs. In the mock draft, each of the individual team blogs in the SB Nation network made selections for their corresponding teams.</p>
<p>The Rams blog <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com/">Turf Show Times</a> selected RB <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78256/trent-richardson">Trent Richardson</a> of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/alabama-crimson-tide">Alabama Crimson Tide</a>:</p>
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<p><b>6. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> - Alabama RB Trent Richardson</b> (via <a href="http://www.turfshowtimes.com" target="_blank">Turf Show Times</a>):</p>
<p>The Rams desperately need skill players on offense. Blackmon is a better fit given the need at receiver, but Richardson is a superior talent. He compares well with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/14202/steven-jackson">Steven Jackson</a>, who has since lost his speed and explosiveness as a result of being leaned on so heavily in the last five years. Richardson can be a feature back or a one-two punch with <span>Steven Jackson</span>. The offense can use the pairing to create mismatches and draw the attention of defenses, which would ideally free up some space on the field for their receivers.</p>
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<p>The 2012 NFL Draft starts on April 26 and ends the following Saturday, April 28.</p>
<p><i>For updates, stay tuned to <a href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/">SB Nation St. Louis</a>. For more in-depth Rams coverage, head over to <a href="http://turfshowtimes.com/">Turf Show Times</a>. For more on the </i><i><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2012-nfl-draft">2012 NFL Draft</a></i><i>, check out SB Nation's dedicated section and <a href="http://mockingthedraft.com/">Mocking the Draft</a>.</i></p>
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https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2012/4/12/2944477/2012-nfl-mock-draft-rams-select-rb-trent-richardson-in-latest-mockBradley Woodrum2012-04-12T13:32:22-05:002012-04-12T13:32:22-05:00NFL Mock Draft 2012: Has Justin Blackmon's Star Fallen?
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<p>In recent months' 2012 NFL Mock Drafts <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37330/justin-blackmon">Justin Blackmon</a>, the consensus No. 1 wide receiver, has gone as high as third overall, but recent trends suggest his momentum <a href="http://www.mockingthedraft.com/2012/4/3/2923175/justin-blackmons-draft-stock-appears-to-be-on-the-downturn">could be on the wane</a>. Mocking the Draft does a fine job at the link of showing just how broad-based his fall has been; he's fallen back in general, against other wide receivers—<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/49598/michael-floyd">Michael Floyd</a> has occasionally been mocked ahead of him—and even in scouting reports working with the same information they've always had. </p>
<p>That, of course, is the most peculiar part; the player who was sure-handed and dynamic, a nearly complete No. 1, in February has now, in some circles, been downgraded to "just" a possession receiver. Blackmon was never <span>A.J. Green</span> or <span>Julio Jones</span>, but it's been surprising to see how quickly his star has fallen. The good news is that this makes it more likely still that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> will be able to nab him at No. 6...</p>
<p>More NFL Mock Draft news and analysis, handpicked from SB Nation St. Louis: </p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;">Todd McShay <a href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2012/4/12/2943453/nfl-mock-draft-2012-todd-mcshay-rams">has multiple scenarios lined up for the Rams at No. 6</a>. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;">None of them is drafting <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78256/trent-richardson">Trent Richardson</a>, <a href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2012/4/12/2943339/nfl-mock-draft-2012-trent-richardson-rams-rumors">and yet that scenario continues to pick up steam</a>.</span></li>
<li>
<span style="font-size: 12px;">Our ongoing </span><a href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2012/4/1/2916994/nfl-mock-draft-2012-first-round-complete">2012 NFL Mock Draft</a> continues to make its way through the first round. Justin Blackmon is already off the board. </li>
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https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2012/4/12/2944089/nfl-mock-draft-2012-justin-blackmon-rumorsDan Moore2012-04-12T09:23:20-05:002012-04-12T09:23:20-05:002012 NFL Mock Draft: Todd McShay Sets Up Rams' Draft Board
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<p>The 2012 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching, and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> have plenty of flexibility with multiple picks to fill immediate needs at wide receiver, offensive tackle, defensive tackle and cornerback, so mock draft scenarios are always interesting to consider. <a target="_blank" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2012/story?id=7795172&_slug_=2012-nfl-mock-draft-breaking-first-round-scenarios&action=upsell&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnfl%2fdraft2012%2fstory%3fid%3d7795172%26_slug_%3d2012-nfl-mock-draft-breaking-first-round-scenarios">Todd McShay of ESPN released his 2012 NFL Mock Draft</a> recently, and he addressed five different permutations of the early first-round that would change how the Rams approach their No. 6 pick. </p>
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<p><b>Scenario 1:</b> If Kalil should somehow slip out of the top five, he's the pick. The same could be said of Richardson, as the heir-apparent to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/14202/steven-jackson">Steven Jackson</a>.<br><b></b></p>
<p><b>Scenario 2:</b> With Kalil gone, Blackmon's size, hands and playmaking ability would give Rams QB <span>Sam Bradford</span> a top playmaker on the outside. <br><b></b></p>
<p><b>Scenario 3:</b> There is some buzz about the Rams being open to trading down yet again and acquiring even more picks, because as our draft tiers breakdown shows, if the right player is not available there is a drop-off in talent at this point. <br><b></b></p>
<p><b>Scenario 4:</b> If Claiborne should fall, he would be a consideration for a team that struggled to defend the pass last season. <br><b></b></p>
<p><b>Scenario 5:</b> The Rams could opt for the top defensive tackle on the board to fill a big need. In this case that would be Mississippi State's <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/79001/fletcher-cox">Fletcher Cox</a>, who would bring solid versatility and production to the defensive line. </p>
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<p>In other words, there is a very real possibility that the Rams could use that pick on a wide receiver, offensive tackle, defensive tackle or cornerback, which is part of what makes draft night so much fun.</p>
<p><i>For updates, stay tuned to <a href="http://stlouis.sbnation.com/">SB Nation St. Louis</a>. For more in-depth Rams coverage, head over to <a href="http://turfshowtimes.com/">Turf Show Times</a>. For more on the </i><i><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2012-nfl-draft">2012 NFL Draft</a></i><i>, check out SB Nation's dedicated section and <a href="http://mockingthedraft.com/">Mocking the Draft</a>.</i></p>
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https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2012/4/12/2943453/nfl-mock-draft-2012-todd-mcshay-ramsSteve von Horn2012-04-12T08:32:56-05:002012-04-12T08:32:56-05:00NFL Mock Draft 2012: Trent Richardson, St. Louis Rams Continue Dangerous Flirtation
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<p>It looks like those of us who both enjoy the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams">St. Louis Rams</a> and believe Trent Richardson—and running back as a position—is overrated are now completely out of luck for the remainder of 2012 NFL Mock Draft season: The No. 6 pick and the back that launched a million Adrian Peterson comparisons are inseparable as of late, with Mike Mayock the latest convert. </p>
<p>Trent Richardson might be the next Adrian Peterson, but it's worth noting that Adrian Peterson has only been The Adrian Peterson—who takes 300 carries and can carry an offense on his back, or even who had 238 incredible carries as a rookie—three times in five years. Last year he took 208 carries in 12 games; he's 27 and he's almost definitely played his best football already. </p>
<p>Either a running back makes your team great <i>now</i>, because now is when he's playing his best football, or why draft him? The Rams had a pretty good running back last year, and they sucked. Trent Richardson won't make them great, but he will start the odometer already. </p>
https://stlouis.sbnation.com/st-louis-rams/2012/4/12/2943339/nfl-mock-draft-2012-trent-richardson-rams-rumorsDan Moore