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2012 NFL Draft Grades: Why I'm Vaguely Excited About The St. Louis Rams' Draft

There are no shortage of 2012 NFL Draft grades posts already up on the internet, and we've probably written about most of them. With that in mind, here's why I'm vaguely excited about the St. Louis Rams' 2012 draft performance, with some letter grades tacked on at the end of each important pick.

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1. Michael Brockers wasn't my first choice, or even my fifth choice, for the Rams' next first-rounder. But if he completes the defensive line, there's something nice about finally finishing off one of the Rams' rebuilding projects. Plus, if he can help the Rams in their quest to not allow five yards per carry again in 2012, I'm willing to overlook his supposed rawness as a pass-rusher. Robert Quinn and Chris Long should take care of that, anyway. B

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2. Brian Quick, Janoris Jenkins, and Isaiah Pead are a reasonable haul out of the second round, though I was hoping to see Stephen Hill and Jonathan Martin's draft-stock declines stop at one of the Rams' three spots. Jenkins is the kind of risk they can afford to take with three second-rounders, Quick is a big wide receiver prospect who'll see playing time immediately, and Pead is a non-threatening change-of-pace running back who could replace Steven Jackson eventually. B

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3-7. Trumaine Johnson means the Rams should have enough cornerback depth to weather a more typical flurry of injuries than the perfect storm they had last year; Chris Givens has gotten a lot of play as a draft bargain, but Rokevious Watkins seems like too little offensive line attention too late and Greg Zuerlein is a kicker, so I don't get it. Aaron Brown and Daryl Richardson, well, why not? B

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That's what the Rams' draft offers: A lot of B-grade excitement. I'm disappointed they didn't get Justin Blackmon or a top offensive lineman, but I'm looking forward to watching the players they did get. This is Jeff Fisher and Les Snead's big chance, and I want to see what they did with it.