St. Louis Rams 2012 NFL Draft Review

Michael Brockers

The Rams parlayed six draft picks into ten while adding first round selections in 2013 and 2014. Head Coach Jeff Fisher started his influx of personnel during free agency when he brought in the likes of corner Cortland Finnegan and center Scott Wells to get leadership on both sides of the ball. First round pick Michael Brockers is a hand-in-glove fit for the wide nine defensive scheme. Janoris Jenkins is a big time corner who is getting a big time born-again chance to play in the Not For Long league. Brian Quick and Chris Givens have the talent to work into the receiver rotation. Michael Brockers played just two seasons in college before renouncing his final two years of eligibility. He’s versatile enough to play a 3-4 end or a 4-3 defensive tackle. Stout against the run, he is a powerful two gap player who needs to develop his pass rush skills. Brian Quick is a big man with a small man’s foot quickness. He is sudden in and out of his breaks. Athletic and smooth in his movements, he is a natural receiver who must learn the nuances of NFL receiver play coming from a small college. Janoris Jenkins is a very smooth athlete and would easily have been a first round draft choice if he didn’t have so many red flags and well publicized transgressions. Similar to Asante Samuel, he can play off coverage, is a fluid athlete, and can catch the ball in his hands. In three years at Florida he had eight interceptions. Isaiah Pead will complement Steven Jackson’s power running with his speed and quickness. He is good in space as well as having good vision and contact balance as a back or kick returner. He has good cutting ability along with a strong lower body. He runs low with his pads over his toes. In 2011 he caught 39 passes. Pead will need to elevate his ability as a blocker in the run game and get stronger on blitz pickups. Trumaine Johnson is big and physical with excellent eye/hand coordination. He will start out competing at corner but may make the move to safety with Jenkins and Finnegan on board. Chris Givens has demonstrated his impressive deep speed and good route running in OTAs. He may be used as the utility receiver that could line up at any of the receiving positions. An above average athlete, he has good balance and body control. He is a hand catcher that is fundamentally sound running his routes. He plays best outside the hash or on move type routes. Rokevious Watkins is a junior college transfer that was drafted as a developmental guard. A physical player, he gives a good effort but plays high. He is a wide-bodied, long armed projection with physical attributes. Greg Zuerlein is the first kicker that Jeff Fisher drafted in his 30-year NFL career. He was 9 for 9 on field goal attempts from beyond 50-yards last season. In addition he made 21 straight field goals and led the nation with 2.3 field goals per game. Special teams’ coach John Fassel was impressed with his 23 of 24 field goals and his nine over 50 yards. His distance on kickoffs was extraordinary. Aaron Brown must make the team as a special teams’ core player. He was productive with 103 tackles including 13 for loss, 4.5 sacks, and 3 interceptions. His pro day numbers were 6000, 237, 4.81/40, 31/BP, 34/VJ, 9-6/BJ. Daryl Richardson is a small college running back who has developmental possibilities. Pro day numbers were 5103, 192, 4.49/40, 16/BP, 11-3/BJ, 40.5/VJ, 4.36/SS. He is the younger brother of Bernard Scott, the running back for the Bengals. Richardson averaged 5.9 yards per carry and scored 13 touchdowns in 2011. GRADE: ABOVE AVERAGE.

This entry was posted in 2012 NFL Draft Team Reviews, St. Louis Rams and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Comments are closed.