Feb 22, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; St. Louis Rams general manager Les Snead speaks at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Besides the loud and boisterous cheers from the NBA playoffs, it’s a subdued and eerie feeling before the NFL draft. A lot like the calm before the storm. General managers and head coaches are preparing war room campsites and subliminal messages are seeping through wires and phone lines.

A mock draft here, a mock draft there, it’s all about to come to end. Rams’ fans across the nation have their preferences of what players they wish to see in blue and gold. You would think the ongoing debate between the ultra athletic Cordarrelle Patterson and the swiss army knife Tavon Austin was a presidential election. What about the gifted, but troublesome Alec Ogletree? Some have said he’s Rolando Mcclain 2.0. This regime has proven that they take a hard look at talent and weigh the good with the bad. Perhaps they take a flyer on the roaming outside linebacker.

The most glaring need is safety. Kenny Vaccaro? Matt Elam? Jonathan Cyprien? They all could be at play with the Rams second first round selection(22). However, what about offensive line help? Everyone is quick to point out the need at left guard, but the organization never got the chance to see what Rokevious Watkins could actually do because of an early season ending injury. Quite frankly, I’m more worried about center and right guard. Scott Wells never played at full strength and his missed a large portion of the season. Not to mention he’s 32 years old in a division where he has to face the brutal D-line of the rival Seahawks and 49ers. The same goes for Harvey Dahl as he’s rehabbing from a torn bicep. Maybe Chance Warmack or Jonathan Cooper will entice the Rams.

Sure, along with dream scenarios, nightmare scenarios also come into the fold. Two offensive lineman in round one? No Austin or WR selected at 16 or 22? What about the bruising, but fleet-footed Eddie Lacy? I haven’t heard much support if the St. Louis decide to go this route. Even after only one year under the helm, has the trifecta of Kevin Demoff, Les Snead and Jeff Fisher let down a spirited group of Rams’ fan thus far?

Looks like they’ve struck gold in last year’s draft pending Brian Quick and Isaiah Pead. Michael Brockers and Janoris Jenkins have the makings of perennial Pro Bowl players. Chris Givens is the best WR on the roster as of now, and who would’ve thought a 7th round scatback from Abilene Christian College would rush for 475 yards? This is not the same regime who selected countless future bust, boneheaded players and flat out duds.

Out of the eight picks in the 2011 NFL draft, only three remain on the Rams’ roster (Robert Quinn, Lance Kendricks, Austin Pettis). Out of 11 selections from the 2010 NFL draft, three remain as well, Sam Bradford, Roger Saffold and Josh Hull. From the seven picks in the 2009 NFL draft, only one remain on the roster, James Laurinaitis. And the 2008 NFL draft? Only the all-pro Chris Long is left standing out of eight picks. This organization is no longer ran by the likes of flamed out coordinators such as Scott Linehan or Steve Spagnuolo.

Regardless of which directions the Rams go tonight, a draft class can only truly be measured three to four years down the line. Trust that Snead and Fisher have a plan, trust that they are molding the Rams into a formidable franchise for years to come and know that this heralded group of leaders are here to stay.

#StayCalmAndSneadOn

Sep 15, 2012; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson (84) drops a pass while being pursued by Florida Gators defensive back Jaylen Watkins (14) during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Florida won by a score of 37 to 20. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Every year the NFL draft is filled with boom-or-bust, hit-or-miss or even can’t miss prospects, but with the crap shoot of the draft, every player is a risk.

Or reward.

Standing at a chiseled 6’2″ and 216lbs, the gazelle-like Cordarrelle Patterson is one of the most widely debated prospect in this year’s draft. His rare blend of size, explosiveness and his uncanny ability to make cuts on a dime is down right scary. You couldn’t run out of adjectives to describe Patterson: dynamic, a playmaker, elusive, shows toughness going over the middle of the field, a triple threat. He is the epitome of a Swiss Army knife. Besides the WR position where he played inside and out, he had 25 carries coming out the backfield at Tennessee, and was a phenomenal return man for the Vols. He has all the qualities you look for in a wide receiver.

But what causes team to shy away from the gifted pass-catcher is the consistent label that is slapped on his name.

Raw.

He only played one year at the FBS level. His athleticism allowed him to dominate mismatches on the college level, but everyone has the skills to matchup in the NFL. Patterson constantly catches the ball with his body, even when he doesn’t have to. He bails on routes, drops routine passes, his ad-libbing after the catch may cause preventable fumbles, and as strong as he is, he doesn’t overpower anyone at the line of scrimmage. This is a bit of a head-scratcher considering his size. He relies on his quickness too much to beat press coverage. NFL corners will expose him if he doesn’t fix this problem soon. A recent report has been released saying Patterson could fall out the first round, but with so many receiver-needy teams, I don’t see him falling beyond 20.

As of right now, Patterson is best suited on a team where he doesn’t have to fill the number one roll immediately. Scouts have compared him to either Julio Jones or Demaryius Thomas. I feel he falls more into comparisons to Randall Cobb of the Packers in the sense of how Green Bay utilizes his skills. The words potential and high ceiling frightens me when placed on any prospect. Those words bring more questions than answers.

But again, the NFL draft is a gamble.

When you have the upside that Patterson possesses, a Rams’ representative should sprint to the podium if he’s still on the board at 16.

December 2, 2012; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams tackle Rodger Saffold (76) talks with fans after defeating the San Francisco 49ers in overtime at the Edward Jones Dome. St. Louis defeated San Francisco 16-13 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

With the signing of all-pro left tackle Jake Long set to anchor the Rams offensive line for the next four years, it is a foregone conclusion that Roger Saffold will slide to the right side.

As we all know, Saffold’s agent said he would be unhappy with a switch to right tackle when St. Louis began to cater to the 4-time Pro-Bowler in the midst of free agency.

Saffold and his agent have not requested a trade, but the disgruntled tackle has made it very clear that he does not approve of the move by taking a vow of silence. Since the Rams have inked their prized free agent, officials from the Rams organization have been unable to contact the incumbent starter.

In an article by Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, here is a quote from Jeff Fisher:

“We’ve been trying to reach Rodger, and he’s not returning calls right now,” Fisher said. “But we’ll get things settled, and Rodger’s a big part of our future and a big part of our plans on offense.”

I understand why Saffold is upset. Left tackles are widely considered a premier position in the NFL. Entering the final year of his rookie contract, he could almost reach out and grab free agency. He wants the money that a top-end LT could earn, especially at the young age of 24. Saffold has proven he is more than capable of protecting Sam Bradford’s blind side when healthy.

Long went through a lengthy physical in St. Louis because of his recent run-ins with injuries, but like Long, Saffold too has experienced quite a few injuries.

During his three year tender in a Rams uniform, Saffold has only played one full season:

It would be easy to call Saffold selfish, not a team player and spoiled as he secludes himself on another planet. If Saffold does ask for a trade or release, it would equal more draft picks or grabbing a more talented player in a deep and versatile offensive tackle class.

Perhaps a mauler like Alabama RT D.J. Fluker. The Rams have already had pre-draft visits from guard/tackle Kyle Long (Oregon) and OT Terron Armstead (Arkansas-Pine Bluf

Hopefully, the sulky left tackle does return, if not, trust Jeff Fisher and Les Snead to make the right move.