St. Louis Rams Team Needs

By: Greg Davis

Defensive Line
The Rams found little production from the defensive end position last season. Leonard Little played in just seven games, but he was only able to tally one sack in that time and he was then placed on injured reserve because of a serious toe injury. He’ll turn 34 this upcoming season, and even with the re-signing of James Hall, the position has to have more talent and more depth. If the Rams can find an end early in the draft that they feel can start and that they’re high on, they’ll move on the chance to add that player. Vernon Gholston is high on several team’s boards, and he could be the pick for St. Louis depending on how it plays out.

Wide Receiver
The wide receiver position has long been consider a great strength of the Rams, but it has come to a point at which the team must find new help due to departures in recent seasons. With Isaac Bruce having signed with San Francisco, the Rams have Drew Bennett to start opposite Torry Holt. While Bennett did not have a successful season last year, making the situation worse is the fact that Holt is going to be 32 when the season starts and his age may be catching up with him on the injury front. Holt has played so well for so many seasons, that it has to be draining to put in the effort he has. There isn’t much dependability after the top two, so the team will need to find a quality receiver in the draft.

Safety
Strong safety may be a position that stays the same this season, but if the Rams are looking long-term, they could make a move now in the hopes it pays off in 2009. Corey Chavous did not have a good season at the position last year, and once his contract is up, there’s a fair chance that he won’t be asked back unless his play changes considerably. His future replacement will need to be found this off-season or next, and the team will be in a better position if they prepare for it early.

Offensive Line
At left tackle, the Rams have one of the best in Orlando Pace. The problem is that Pace has missed a good deal of time over the past two seasons because of injuries. Alex Barron has filled in for him when he has had to, but Barron hasn’t exactly impressed. If Barron can turn a corner and gain more trust from the team, he may be able to stick around, but the team may be best served in finding another tackle who can act as insurance for Pace and who may be able to play at right tackle until that time. St. Louis could use this draft’s depth at the position to pick up a tackle in the later rounds.

Linebacker
There are also questions at the linebacker position. Is Quinton Culberson or Chris Draft a good enough player to get the job done? There’s a strong likelihood that neither is a long-term answer at the position, and St. Louis will have to find depth for the position, and possibly players that can be molded into starting talent within a season or ever sooner, if possible. This position may receive more attention next season at the draft, but the team could still take a chance on a linebacker in the middle or later rounds.