Day two of NFL Draft 2012-watch is here, and the St. Louis Rams begin the day on the clock—the first of their three second-round picks is also the first one in the second round. With Justin Blackmon and Michael Floyd both slipping through their fingers Thursday, Rams fans are ready to see a wide receiver go early in the draft's second round—but who might it be? The major options right now look to be Stephen Hill, Rueben Randle, and Brian Quick.
Stephen Hill is this year's Jonathan Baldwin: A major physical talent with raw football skills. At six-four, and with a 4.36 40 time, Hill has as much natural ability—and upside—as anybody in the 2012 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, the junior played for Georgia Tech, which means he caught all of 28 balls last season. 28 balls for 820 yards and five touchdowns. He might not be ready to save the Rams' beleaguered receivers on Day 1, which is bad news for Sam Bradford, but he definitely looks like a No. 1 receiver. At some point.
Rueben Randle goes to the Rams in SB Nation's second-round NFL Mock Draft, kicking off Round 2. He's Hill's opposite number—not especially fast, not quite as big, but considerably more tested in college action.
Brian Quick has lit up the rumor mill today—some say the Rams are looking very closely at the Appalachian State product. Quick is another big receiver with major college production. He's not as risky as Hill, and the reward is likely to be more immediate—and that could be all it takes for the Rams to pull the trigger.
Related instant-gratification news: Insiders doubt the Rams will trade their first second-round pick.