Apr 26, 2012; New York, NY, USA; Michael Brockers (LSU) is introduced as the number fourteen overall pick to the St. Louis Rams in the 2012 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE

Well, that didn’t go as planned. The Rams made a splash in Thursday’s first round of the NFL Draft by trading down from 6 to 14 and picking up Michael Brockers, a defensive tackle from LSU. The trade netted the team an additional second rounder, 45th overall from the Cowboys. The Rams will now have three of the first 13 picks on Friday.

First, let me say that I think Brockers is going to be a very good player and I think he’s a very nice fit for Jeff Fisher’s defense. He is still learning, but he’s already an excellent run-stopper, and his pass-rush skills should develop. He’s a nice player, and I really like getting another early pick.

With all that said, I’m really disappointed we didn’t end up with Justin Blackmon or Michael Floyd. My guess is that when Jacksonville swooped in and stole Blackmon at five, the team made the trade thinking they could get Floyd or Fletcher Cox at 14. It didn’t happen because the Eagles traded up to get Cox and the Cardinals inexplicably took Floyd instead of Riley Reiff. That pick still doesn’t make sense to me considering Reiff fits their bigger need, but it really screwed us.

The good news is that we have three early picks on Friday and there are plenty of good players left. Some names to watch out for include OLs Jonathan Martin, Peter Konz and Cordy Glenn, WRs Rueben Randle and Stephen Hill (who I love), RB Lamar Miller and CB Janoris Jenkins.

Honestly, it’s hard to predict what will happen over the next few days after the wild first round, but the second round should be quite interesting, especially for the Rams. Only one running back went in the opening round, so a guy like Mikel Leshoure is still there and could still be there for St. Louis. DT is another position that should be available, and although a guy like Stephen Paea is still available, I doubt he will be when the Rams pick. How about a guy like Marvin Austin, Quinn’s teammate from North Carolina? Austin is an impressive talent at DT, and I would have no problem going with Tar Heels in our first two picks.

As far as WR’s go, I was very disappointed when Jon Baldwin went off the board in the first, but there are still guys like Torrey Smith and Leonard Hankerson available. I know the Rams like Smith, and I really like the big-play ability of Hankerson. Those two will both be options, as will Washington OLB Mason Foster. I don’t know if Foster will be there in the third, so it might be time to pull the trigger. Also, no safeties went off the board, and I’m sure the Rams would be interested in Rahim Moore if he were still there, though I doubt he will be. Jaiquawn Jarrett is available as well, so watch out for him.

As you can see, the options for the Rams in rounds two and three are numerous, especially considering our needs and the players available at the positions. I am still excited about getting Quinn, and it is making me look forward to tomorrow even more. Stay tuned, because this thing is off to a good start and it only promises to get better.