St. Louis Rams 1st Round Options: 2013 NFL Draft

March 20, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; St. Louis Rams head coach

answers questions from reporters during a press conference at the annual NFL meetings at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

The Rams really improved last year, much of which should be attributed to Jeff Fisher. Fisher came in, changed the culture in St. Louis and got this team going. They traded for Cortland Finnegan and drafted Janoris Jenkins which really helped their secondary. They still have huge holes at the safety position and they have to address that this offseason. The Rams signed Jake Long this offseason, taking care of the LT position,as well as the RT position because they can move Rodger Saffold there. The signing of Jared Cook also gives them a legitimate threat at the TE position for Sam Bradford. Danny Amendola left St. Louis and signed with the Patriots this offseason, which made an average WR group even worse. Brian Quick could develop into that #1 WR but he is still quite raw. The Rams could also use an OG to better protect Bradford and open up holes for Isaiah Pead and Daryl Richardson.

Sep 8, 2012; Winston Salem, NC, USA North Carolina Tar Heels guard Jonathan Cooper (64) blocks during a pass play in the second quarter against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at BB

Jonathan Cooper – The Rams have to protect Sam Bradford better if they want to battle with Seattle and San Fran for the division title. They took a step in the right direction when they signed Jake Long this offseason. If they can keep Rodger Saffold on the team to play the RT position then they have a great set of bookends. Cooper is an athletic OG who can get outside and block upfield for his RB. If they make Pead their #1 RB, they will need someone to get out front of him. Cooper gets to the 2nd level as well as any OG who has came out recently. He can however, be pushed back by a bigger, stronger defensive tackle if he allows his pad level to rise.

September 29, 2012; Athens, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver CordarrellePatterson (84) runs after a catch in the second half against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium. The Bulldogs won 51-44. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports

Cordarrelle Patterson – The Rams have got to get some weapons for Sam Bradford. They signed Jared Cook this offseason and that gives Bradford a big weapon at the TE position. Chris Givens played much better than expected last season and was a good deep threat, but he isn’t that #1 WR that the Rams need. Brian Quick could potentially become that, but he was raw coming out of Appalachian State and may never develop like they want. Patterson is the best WR prospect in this class and should be a prototypical number 1. He is a big, strong, fast WR who is being compared to Julio Jones. He has the ability to shake defensive backs off and make the big play. He is still raw and isn’t really a very good route runner.