Sep 10, 2011; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks running back LaMichael James (21) breaks free for a touchdown in the 3rd quarter against the Nevada Wolfpack at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Z. Rider-US PRESSWIRE.

The Rams have already selected three highly talented players thus far in our mock draft, and they’re on the clock again in the third round. We have addressed three different positions of need so far with Justin Blackmon (WR), Devon Still (DT) and Janoris Jenkins (CB), so now let’s get ourselves a running back.

With the 65th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the St. Louis Rams select LaMichael James, RB Oregon.

The Rams are eventually going to need an heir to Steven Jackson, and although James probably isn’t that guy, he is a great change-of-pace back who brings a major gamebreaking ability to the field. He might be small, but he’s super talented and he has the ability to break it every time he touches the ball. We’ve been saying for years that the skill level needs to increase with this team, and James would help in that capacity.

The Rams need a speed guy to complement SJ39, and James could be a great value in the third round. He’s an accomplished college player, and he knows how to win. I love him as a player and he seems like a great, hard-working kid, and he would be a perfect fit with this offense.

Jan 2, 2012; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks running back LaMichael James (21) carries the ball in the 2012 Rose Bowl game against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Rose Bowl. Oregon defeated Wisconsin 45-38. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

The time for pre-draft visits is almost up, but the Rams saw some big names come to town on Monday. Alabama RB Trent Richardson, LSU CB Morris Claiborne, Oregon RB LaMichael James and Midwestern State OL Amini Silatolu were all in the house visiting the Rams and all four players are possibilities for the Rams in the upcoming draft.

Richardson and Claiborne are still likely high on the team’s board and either player could be the pick at six depending on what happens with the first five picks. I still want Justin Blackmon, but if he’s gone I would love either one of these players. I don’t know much about Silatolu, but I do know he’s pretty highly regarded as a smaller-school guy and there are plenty of scouts who think he has the potential to be a good NFL player.

James is the player here who really intrigues me for the Rams. I’ll admit up front that I’m biased as a big Oregon fan, but I’ve seen the skill-set he brings to the table. He’s probably never going to be an every-down guy in the pros, but he would be a perfect complement to Steven Jackson. We’ve been saying forever that the Rams need playmakers, and that’s exactly what James is. I’d say the 33rd and the 39th are probably too early to take him, but if he’s there when the Rams pick in the third round then he should be the pick. I’ve seen numerous mocks that have James going to the Rams in the third, so let’s hope they are right.

The main point of the article is that if Fisher doesn’t end up here, the Rams need to bring in someone with an offensive background. I think his best support for this idea is that an offensive coach will provide some system stability for Sam Bradford and the rest of the offense. Whoever it is will put in his system, and that system will stay here as long as the coach does. We won’t have to worry about offensive coordinators coming in and out with different philosophies, and Bradford will be able to learn a system and progress through that system. This is absolutely what we need, or we risk Bradford falling into the same rut as Alex Smith did when he had a different offense seemingly every season.

Mklasz also comments that the defense is far more advanced at this point than the offense, meaning their transition will be easier. I don’t think there’s any doubt about that. There is plenty of talent on that side of the ball, and guys like James Laurinaitis and Chris Long look capable of adjusting to a new scheme. I’m confident this defense is going to be the strength of this team for the next several years, so getting the offense caught up should be the top priority. More on next page…