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.

Mar 22, 2012; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU defensive tackle Michael Brockers goes through drills during the pro day at the LSU Tigers indoor practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Crystal Logiudice-US PRESSWIRE

The draft is fast approaching, and that means the Rams will be bringing in potential picks in the coming weeks. There will be numerous players coming to town, and we know a few of those names who are scheduled to be in St. Louis in the near future.

Two LSU prospects – DT Michael Brockers and WR Rueben Randle – are scheduled for this week. Brockers is a guy who probably won’t be a realistic target for the Rams in the first round unless they move back from the sixth pick. We have a need at DT, so he could certainly be in play in the Rams do decide to make another trade. Randle is kind of intriguing. He caught over 50 passes and eight touchdowns last season with the Tigers, and he did it without consistent QB play to help him out. He would be worth a look in the second round assuming Justin Blackmon isn’t the team’s first pick.

Speaking of Blackmon, he is on the list of players that have been confirmed as coming to town for a visit. Also on that list is Trent Richardson and Morris Claiborne. Obviously these three guys are all targets at six, so hopefully they all impress.