St.Louis Rams 2013 NFL Draft Preview: Barret Jones and Jarvis Jones

September 22, 2012; Athens, GA, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Jordan Rodgers (11) is sacked by Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jarvis Jones (29) in the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia won 48-3. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE

The biggest sporting day in Australian sports has just ended. The Australian Rules Football “Grand Final”, or to put it into common American sporting language, “The Super bowl” of Australian sports. Similar to my beloved St.louis Rams, my Australian football team has been the laughing stock of the league for the last five years. What does any die-hard fan do when the once promising, hopeful and encouraging season flashes before their eyes? Start analyzing and breaking down College football players going into the up and coming draft. Now by all means, Rams season is far from over. This season has shown plenty of promise and believe the Rams finish the season at 7-9 to 8-8. But what makes the next two NFL drafts so intriguing, is the fact we have Washington Redskins first round draft picks for 2013 and 2014.

Super Bowls are essentially won in April. You only need to look at the teams that have won Super Bowls in the past, to back this obvious theory. I think it’s fair to say that the Rams have drafted woefully in the past. The last time the Rams drafted a player who made it to the Pro-bowl was Steven Jackson, and he was drafted in 2004.  Although I do think this will change, as Chris Long, James Laurinaitis and Greg Zuerlein should be elected within the next 3 years. I have decided to make this a weekly routine, to give Rams fans an awareness of what to hope for when April rolls around. Two players will be analyzed weekly (one from defense and one from offense) based on the current form in college football.

OFFENSE

Barret Jones (6 foot 5 , 311 pounds)
Offensive Linemen (University of Alabama)

Really? The Rams drafting another potentially failed offensive linemen? The truth is, the offensive line constantly hold the Rams back on drafting playmakers on both side of the ball and, until they fix this ongoing problem, the Rams will lack the aggressive players we all want to see, and remain a rather vanilla team.

Barret Jones can solve our problems. In 2009, as a redshirt freshman, Jones started 14 games at guard for the University of Alabama. He helped create holes for the former RB Mark Ingram go on to win the prestigious Heismen Trophy. As a sophomore, Jones stayed at guard and was a first-team All-SEC selection. Jones moved to left tackle last year. Many questioned his athletic capabilities for what was required as a left tackle, but he silenced the critics by having a stellar year.

Now Jones has now moved to center, Alabama saw this was the best way to get all of their best offensive linemen on the field at the same time. This guy happens to fit perfectly on the St. Louis line, as the Rams have a knack for getting their offensive linemen injured. Jones could fill that void as he is an obvious multi-talented lineman.

DEFENSE 

Jarvis Jones (6 foot 2, 242 pounds)
Outside Linebacker (University of Georgia Bulldogs)

When it comes to defense playmakers, they don’t come any more dangerous than Jarvis Jones. He is an elite pass rusher. Coming out of college he will always be compared to Von Miller, and rightly so, as their intangibles are strikingly similar. Both are able to get to the signal caller in a flash.

Jones made a name for himself last season by collecting a total of 70 tackles and 13.5 sacks, in 14 games. Many questioned if he would be able to back up this phenomenal  year. Now, with 4 games into his Junior season (missed a game due to injury), Jones has shown that he is more than capable of exceeding last years numbers. He has already gathered 35 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 interception and 2 pass deflections.

Jones’ speed and pass-rushing skills make him extremely disruptive. He is dynamite on the edge and he’s the sort of player that keeps quarterbacks and offensive coaches awake at night. Although all these qualities are great, his best attribute is yet to be mentioned. This guy has an amazing motor, he never takes a play off – he is relentless.