The back of the St. Louis Rams' 2012 NFL Draft has graded out remarkably well, on the whole; people love the Janoris Jenkins risk, and most draft analysts are fans of at least one of Brian Quick and Chris Givens. Isaiah Pead has even earned some heat as Steven Jackson's eventual replacement. When they get knocked out of the high-B range in the average set of draft grades, it's usually for Michael Brockers, their first-round DT. What could he do to quiet the doubters?
Well, nobody's doubting he'll improve the Rams' godawful rush defense, which allowed 4.8 yards per carry last season, so that won't do it unless he's immediately outstanding at it. What it's going to take is some signs that he'll at least develop into the active pass rusher some scouts didn't see in him coming out of college.
If the Rams get the rush defense part I don't think they'll be too worried no matter what the scouts say. But if they manage to find another sterling pass-rusher on a line that already features Chris Long and Robert Quinn—well, that's the kind of thing that sells "Three Horsemen" t-shirts at the Edward Jones Dome.
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