This is the biggest question—and maybe the most ridiculous part—of the incredibly early 2013 NFL Mock Draft speculation going on all over the internet: Who will actually pick first? WalterFootball.com, the epicenter of all this pre-prognosticating, more or less admits it's guessing in its latest draft, when it suggests the Minnesota Vikings just because they might be interested in trading up to get Matt Barkley if Christian Ponder scuffles.
The question you're really asking, with something like this, is: Which team near the top of the 2012 NFL Draft picked badly enough to end up near the top of the 2013 NFL Draft? It's a tough one to answer, and one you hope the Rams won't be significant contenders in. Of course—they traded down and picked a defensive tackle, so they won't have the chance at redemption you expect from, say, Andrew Luck or Robert Griffin III. If the Rams are going to stay out of the Top 5 or—could it be? Top 10 in 2013, it's going to be from the sheer quantity of picks they compiled, and not their No. 1, with all apologies to Michael Brockers.
More NFL Draft coverage from SB Nation St. Louis:
- Jason Smith, coming off a massive pay-cut, has the power to keep the St. Louis Rams from going offensive line in the 2013 NFL Draft.
- Meanwhile, here's a look at the 2012 NFL Draft results that have us judging the Rams on quantity, and not quality.