Mel Kiper Jr. Releases Mock Draft 3.0

Apr 26, 2013; New York, NY, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks before the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

As the draft quickly approaches, mock drafts will become more and more prominent around the web. Two mock drafts that we will pay close attention to are those of ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr and Todd McShay. Earlier this week Kiper released his third mock draft.

With the second overall pick In the 2014 NFL Draft, the St. Louis Rams select….

OT Greg Robinson, Auburn

"Even with the strange change of direction on Rodger Saffold, given the concerns about Jake Long‘s ability to stay healthy, starter ability at tackle is still a major question, and the Rams can’t afford to be thin up front in 2014. I think this is an obvious spot where a trade could happen, but if you have the chance to draft a potential star at tackle in the same year you need to find out if the QB you’ve paid a lot of money is worth it, you may not want to overthink it. Robinson can be a special player, and the Rams would improve up front with him around, starting in Week 1."

I completely agree with Kiper to a degree. The Rams offensive line is extremely thin and we really don’t know how Jake Long is going to come off of his ACL injury. Robinson is a solid tackle, and at the very least, he starts over on the right side in place of Barksdale.

Barksdale has been solid, but if your goal is to upgrade at each position, Robinson could just be that upgrade, and in the small chance that Robinson doesn’t come out well, you always have insurance and depth in Barksdale.

On the other hand however, the Rams don’t have a glaring need at tackle like they do at the wide receiver position. The Rams could use an offensive weapon, and Clemson’s Sammy Watkins would make a lot of sense here for St. Louis.

With the 13th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the St. Louis Rams select…..

S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Alabama

"The Rams need another wide receiver, but if Evans isn’t on the board here, they could also address another big need and grab Clinton-Dix to come in and start at free safety. Clinton-Dix has great range after playing center field in Nick Saban’s Cover 1, and will come in ready to make an impact in coverage. Obviously, depending on the grade, St. Louis could also go with a player like Odell Beckham Jr. or Marqise Lee at this spot."

I completely agree on this pick with Kiper. Other than the Philadelphia Eagles, the Rams may be the other team with a glaring need at the safety position. The Rams are missing that center fielder in their secondary and Clinton-Dix brings just that. Not to mention he is exactly the type of safety that newly hired defensive coordinator Gregg Williams likes.

If the Rams don’t go with Clinton-Dix, I could also see them taking a cornerback here such as Oklahoma State’s Justin Gilber or Michigan State’s Darqueze Dennard. Drafting a corner would give the Rams some depth at the position as well as hopefully a future shut down, Richard Sherman-like cornerback of their own.