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.

Feb 28, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; North Alabama defensive back Janoris Jenkins participates in pass interception drills during the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

We discussed pre-draft visits a little yesterday, but the visits officially got started today as the Rams welcomed four players to town. Today’s group featured a nice variety of positions, and all of the players are intriguing prospects. The players involved were Oklahoma St. WR Justin Blackmon, Ohio St. OL Mike Adams, Mississippi St. DT Fletcher Cox and North Alabama CB Janoris Jenkins.

I think we’ve already spent plenty of time talking about Blackmon, so let’s move on to the others. Adams is a guy who has had some issues and a guy who I really wasn’t impressed with at the combine. However, he is talented and numerous scouts believe his size and athleticism are quality NFL attributes. I have seen a couple of mock drafts that have Adams going to the Rams in the second round, and I think he would be a decent value there.

Speaking of mock drafts, I have seen a couple that have Cox going to St. Louis at sixth. I don’t think that’s realistic, but he is a real option if we move back. Cox would be a great fit.

Jenkins is one of the most interesting prospects in the draft. He is supremely talented, but his list of off-field issues is a mile long. He has numerous drug arrests, a failed drug test, an arrest from a bar fight, and he’s got four children from three different women. Still, he seems to be climbing up draft boards. I think he will go the the late first round if he stays clean before the draft, but if he would fall to the second he might be too good to pass up.