St.Louis Rams 2013 NFL Draft Preview: Chance Warmack And Kenny Vaccaro

December 28, 2011; San Diego, CA, USA; Texas Longhorns safety Kenny Vaccaro (4) and teammates celebrate following a 21-10 win against the California Golden Bears in the Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE

The most exciting day of the off season is about to start in Australian rules football, the draft. Like in the NFL, the Australian football draft day is definitely the most exciting day for a fan that follows a struggling team. It may be hard to believe right now, but the Rams’ season has been a success. Ignore what the record suggests, because the Rams have played a lot better than a team that has only won three games. It’s funny because in the regular season, a fan is happy to see their team steal an unlikely win, but in the offseason you can’t help but think, ‘what if we had lost that game and had pick 5 instead of pick 10?’ At the end of the day, teams are in the NFL to win the Super Bowl, not to have a good record or just to make the playoffs. No one remembers a team with a 11-5 record who doesn’t win the Superbowl, most people will only remember the champions and drafting the best players creates a champion team.

Two players will be analyzed weekly (one from defense and one from offense) based on their current form in college football.

OFFENSE
Chance Warmack (6 foot 2 , 325 pounds)
Offensive Guard (University of Alabama)
The Rams’ offensive linemen have done an impressive job keeping Sam Bradford on his feet. With Scott Wells set to come back, the fans will see what Rams’ full strength offensive line will look like. Despite the success the Rams have had on the line, it’s safe to say there is room for improvement. Drafting Chance Warmack will turn the Rams offensive line into a formidable unit.

Titans and Rams fans all know how Jeff Fisher will almost refuse to draft an offensive linemen (especially interior) in the first round. Chance Warmack may be an exception, mainly because there hasn’t been a guard prospect of his calibre in over 15 years. Warmack possesses the strength, the mobility and size to be an eventual pro bowler for many years to come. Warmack is the best run blocking lineman to come out of college since Steve Hutchison (a future hall of famer). So far Warmack has been voted twice for SEC offensive linemen of the week. This is quite an achievement considering the talent that surrounds him in the SEC. Drafting Chance Warmack is a sure bet. Teams will realize what he can bring to the NFL, making him a sure first round draft pick. Expect Rams to be very interested.
Draft Range –  mid-first round

DEFENSE
Kenny Vaccaro (6 foot 1, 220 pounds)
Safety (University of Texas)
Ram fans have had enough of watching Craig Dahl running around the field like a headless chicken. He simply isn’t the answer for the future of the St.Louis Rams. Safety Quintin Mikell, has been the best Rams player on defense for the past couple of weeks. So if the Rams were able fix up their free safety issue in the off season, then the Rams safety position will be a weakness that is quickly turned into a strength.

Vaccaro has had an outstanding year for the Longhorns. Vaccaro is a balanced safety, he’s just as good against the run as he is against the pass. Vaccaro is a hard hitting safety, who can quickly change the momentum in a game. Although his hard hitting skills are exciting to watch, there are times when he can over pursue the ball carrier, leaving him looking a little silly. Overall Vaccaro plays with the physicality and toughness that will intrigue NFL teams early in the draft.
Draft Range – late first round-mid second round

Follow the links to previous Ramblin Fan Draft Previews:
Week 1      Week 4     Week 7
Week 2      Week 5
Week 3      Week 6

Follow @davebarber92 for more updates.