2014 Draft An Important One For Rams

Mar 26, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher speaks during a press conference at the NFL Annual Meetings. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports

After two consecutive seven win season, Rams fans are expecting the team to take the next step in 2014 and hopefully make a push for the playoffs. With the return of quarterback Sam Bradford as well as the signing of new defensive coordinator Gregg Willliams, there should be a lot of hope around Rams Park.

The Rams, however, didn’t do a whole lot in free agency other than re-sign Rodger Saffold, sign a troubled cornerback, as well as add some depth on the defensive line. The Rams are, however, the favorites in the Kenny Britt sweepstakes.

Due to the fact that the Rams didn’t do a whole lot in free agency, it makes the 2014 NFL Draft all that much more important, and puts a lot of pressure on Les Snead’s drafting skills. With 12 picks in the upcoming draft, of which four are in the top 75, a successful draft is likely, especially considering that this is considered to be one of the deepest drafts in a long time.

With the possibility if trading down, the Rams could also acquire more picks, but with every spot you trade down, the chances of drafting impact players such as Sammy Watkins, Greg Robinson, or Jake Matthews, goes down.

The Rams also have two picks in the top 15, and with players such as Watkins, Evans,  Robinson, and Jake, all possibilities in those frames of picks, the Rams will get some talented players in the first round, but the Rams don’t just need talented players, they need impact players.

And It’s not the first round that fans should be worried about however, it’s the rounds after. Other than maybe Tavon Austin, Snead and Fisher have hit the nail on the head in the first round drafting players such as Michael Brockers and Alec Ogletree as well as pulling of the Robert Griffin III trade.

The Rams have however missed on some picks after the first round such as Isaiah Pead and Brian Quick. This draft can’t consist of any Pead’s or Quick’s if the Rams want to take the next step. This draft needs to be near perfect, there really is no room for error. With another 7-9 season, the seat of Jeff Fisher and Les Snead will begin to get warm, if it isn’t already.

Yes, the Rams were a mess before the arrival of Jeff Fisher and Les Snead, and it would be safe to say that they have turned the franchise around in two short seasons. Their third season will be a big one however.

The bottom line is, fans aren’t going to settle for yet another seven win season, although it is still better than the six wins combined from ’07-’09. Rams fans are done being average, and just getting by. They are dying to go to the playoffs as the team hasn’t been in nine years, the fourth longest drought in the NFL.