Pancake Blocks Mock Draft: Pick No. 2
My sources tell me that the Rams hoped Chris Long would fall to them with the second pick, but that doesn't mean they will give up on improving their pass rush. Rotoworld news maven Evan Silva will do the honors for the Rams.
The St. Louis Rams (should) select Glenn Dorsey, from Louisiana State University.
Best Player Available. The Rams can kick 2007 first-round choice Adam Carriker out to left defensive end to shore up their woes against the run. Undersized Leonard Little has long played out of position on that side. He can now use his quick first step and up-field speed versus taller, less mobile left tackles in the division like Walter Jones and Levi Brown. Little should be able to beat inexperienced Niners LT Joe Staley as well. Vernon Gholston and Jake Long both received consideration here, but the Rams can get a tackle later on in a draft loaded at the position. With Big O back, it's simply not near as needy a position. And Gholston isn't as proven a player as Dorsey. Dorsey has potential to be the next Warren Sapp.
2008 Pancake Blocks Mock Draft.
1. Miami Dolphins (Scott L.) - Chris Long
2. St. Louis Rams (Evan Silva) - Glenn Dorsey
Comments
Little scary drafting a guy with chronic injury concerns so early...as a fan I hope the rams do gholston or long over Dorsey...plus we have a ton of young dt's if we keep carriker inside
Posted by: J | April 2, 2008 11:09 AM
J - I feel that Dorsey's injury concerns have been overblown. He never missed a game in college. Many big tackles like that have those stress fracture issues. It doesn't necessarily cost them playing time or effectiveness. Carriker is a defensive end and should be playing there. The Rams would considerably upgrade their front line size and strength by drafting Dorsey and moving Carriker outside. Dorsey starts with Cliff Ryan and La'Roi Glover comes in on passing downs. James Hall could help there too if needed. The Rams need big bodies in front of their undersized (and in the case of Quinton Culberson, unproven) linebackers. Drafting Dorsey I believe could help vault St. Louis back towards the middle of the league rankings in run defense. If you're going to fall behind early in games - which the Rams have done consistently under Linehan - you're out of it if you pose no challenge vs. the run. And it can be argued that Dorsey is near as good a natural pass rusher as Gholston. He just does it from the interior.
Posted by: evan | April 2, 2008 11:31 AM
I agree with the sentiment of the pick. Health may be a concern down the line, but Dorsey does bring a monster to the line that STL really needs.
Posted by: Matt | April 2, 2008 11:47 AM
I think the Dorsey injury concern has been put to rest as it was obvious there was a bit of sabotage going on from teams not picking in the top 5 in hopes that he would slide.
Nice pick.
Posted by: endzoneview | April 2, 2008 02:19 PM
Add some linebackers, some healthy offensive players and a little Seattle slippage and you now have a 3 way race for the NFC West Division title.
Posted by: b roo | April 2, 2008 03:30 PM