Pre Draft Position Overview: Wide Receiver

Leading up to the draft we are going to take a look at every position to see what the Rams have at the position, what the Rams need at the position, if they should draft somebody at the position, and lastly a position grade. Earlier this week we took a look at the running back position. Today we will look at the wide receiver position as we cover the rest of the offense throughout the week.

What The Rams Have

1. Chris Givens

2. Austin Pettis

3. Tavon Austin

4. Brian Quick

5. Stedman Bailey

6. Kenny Britt

The Rams have a lot of depth at the wide receiver position. Their only problem is that they don’t have that one guy that stands out from the group. They are missing that number one receiver. As of right now, that burden will lie with Chris Givens, and at this point, you can’t put much trust in him being that guy.

Austin Pettis has been Mr. Reliable. He doesn’t make plays consistently, but he does make plays when he is needed. You can argue that Pettis may be the guy that Bradford has the most faith in. The Rams do have 6 receivers on the roster right now, and with the possibility that the Rams could draft a receiver, Pettis may be on his way out of St. Louis.

Last year’s rookie receivers Tavon Austin and Stedman Bailey, both showed promise. The Rams will continue to look into using both players more consistently as both players can make plays. Austin is said to have had a disappointing rookie year, but it really wasn’t as bad as many think. As for Bailey, if Pettis is to leave and Givens continues to struggle, he could work his way into the starting lineup.

Brian Quick and Kenny Britt are really the unknowns in the receiving corps. Both players have all the potential in the world, but yet, both seem to struggle on the field. If both can step up and play like the players that they are, the Rams will have some dangerous match ups for opponents.

What The Rams Need

This one is pretty simple, but is easier said than done. The Rams need a number one receiver that can draw the attention of the defense. Whether that is with somebody already on the roster or somebody that they draft is unknown, but the Rams need a number one guy for Sam Bradford.

The Rams haven’t had a 1,000 yard receiver since Torry Holt, and have really struggled at the position since then. It’s time for somebody to step up and be that guy.

Should The Rams Address This Need In The Draft?

The Rams have 12 draft picks in a draft that is very deep at the wide receiver position. Not to mention they have two picks in the top 15 with the ability to draft one of the top two receivers in the draft. The Rams definitely should address this need in the draft, and they should consider addressing this need in the first round.

Sammy Watkins and Mike Evans are special players, and if the Rams were to pass on both of them, the entire fan base would probably go up in arms. Not to say there aren’t special players later in the draft, but the Rams need players that can come in and make a difference now.

Grade: B

The Rams have all the potential in the world at the wide receiver position. At this point it’s about players stepping up and making plays. The Rams should consider addressing this need in the first round, but they do have a good group of guys at the position as is, it’s just time for them to step up.