Are DeAndre Hopkins or Keenan Allen The Answer For The St. Louis Rams At Wide Receiver

It’s quite obvious that the Rams need to address the wide receiver position once again in this year’s draft. Chris Givens and Brian Quick showed promise last season, but with the losses of Brandon Gibson and Danny Amendola in free agency, the Rams have been left with almost nothing at the psotion. As of right now the Rams have Chris Givens, Brian Quick,Austin Pettis, Nick Johnson, Raymond Radway, and Steve Smith on their roster. This is definitely not the greatest show on turf, but with another receiver or two added in this year’s draft that has a lot of depth at wide receiver, this could be a promising group.

There has been much speculation that the Rams will draft Tavon Austin or Cordarrelle Patterson if either of them were to drop to the Rams at 16. However, Austin’s size is very concerning. With the Rams playing in a physical hard hitting NFC West the Rams could be getting themselves into another Danny Amendola injury situation by drafting Austin.  Austin would also be limited to the slot which is where the Rams are likely to put newly acquired TE Jared Cook. Austin does present good speed and does have the ability to return punts. However, the Rams would do better by drafting another position of need at 16 rather than use it on Austin or Patterson.

Cordarrelle Patterson also sounds like a nice option for the Rams at 16. Patterson has amazing physical attributes, but catches the ball with his body way too often. Patterson would also take a few years to develop like Brian Quick, and let’s face it, Sam Bradford doesn’t have a few years to sit around and wait for yet another receiver to develop. Patterson also isnt a great route runner and only played one year at Tennessee against higher level competition.

A receiver that the Rams should consider taking however, is Keenan Allen. Allen would be a great option at 22 for the Rams. He has the versatility to play in the slot or on the outside unlike Austin. During his college career, Allen lit it up with weak quarterback play. He has great hands and attacks the ball. He is also physical which is what the Rams need at the position. Allen also has the ability to step right in and be the number 1 receiver Bradford has so desperately asked for and needed since his rookie year.

Finally DeAndre Hopkins is another receiver the Rams should seriously consider taking at 22. Hopkins is an explosive receiver that can be dominant on the outside. Rams receivers struggled much of last year creating seperation for Sam Bradford which is something that Patterson excells at by using his speed and physicality.  Unlike Patterson, Hopkins is a solid route runner and would definitley be able to come in right away and produce. Hopkins doesnt have much downside, just some consistency in the blocking game and Hopkins would be a solid addition.

Allen and Hopkins seem to be the best options for the Rams. With the losses of Amendola and Gibson, Hopkins or Allen would be a nice replacement. Being in the NFC West, Hopkins and Allen are both physical and would finally give Bradford that receiver that he can just throw the ball in the general area and let his receiver make a play.