Rams News

St. Louis Rams
Team Report posted April 6, 1998
by tsn correspondent
JIM THOMAS St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The pre-draft phase of free agency came and went without the Rams addressing any of their three major needs: defensive end, running back and offensive guard. Sitting at No. 6 overall in the first round, they are in a no man's land when it comes to the top defensive end, Andre Wadsworth of Florida State, and perhaps even the top running back, Curtis Enis of Penn State.

Wadsworth will likely go to Arizona at No. 3 unless the Cardinals get a blockbuster offer to trade out of that spot. It looks like Enis will go in the No. 5 spot currently held by Chicago, with the Bears trading out to Jacksonville or New England. The Rams appear unwilling to give up a lot of draft picks for anyone.

As much as they like Wadsworth, they're not going to mortgage the draft for a non-quarterback. Dick Vermeil wants to hang onto all of his draft picks, if possible, and build the team through the draft. . . .

The Rams are several players away from being any kind of contender, so Vermeil needs quantity as well as quality. With the late-season release of Lawrence Phillips, Jerald Moore is the only back on the roster who rushed for more than 104 yards last season. If Enis is off the board at No. 6, the Rams have other options such as Georgia's Robert Edwards, Illinois' Robert Holcombe, and Florida's Fred Taylor. But none in that group merits a No. 6 pick.

If they have no chance at Wadsworth, the next two defensive ends are Greg Ellis of North Carolina and Grant Wistrom of Nebraska. Again, the question would be: Does either merit the No. 6 pick? The Rams need something to spark their pass rush. Only five teams had fewer sacks than St. Louis' 38 last season, and 1997 sack leader Leslie O'Neal (10) has been released.

So despite their high spot in the first round, the Rams have no clear-cut choice, although Vermeil likes Enis and the ball-control dimension he could add to a still-young offensive unit. But the Rams have so many needs, Vermeil is not just spouting an old football cliche when he says the team will take the "best player available.". . .

Georgia Tech's Keith Brooking, for example, could upgrade a linebacker corps that has next to no depth and will start a middle linebacker (Eric Hill) who turns 32 next fall. . . .

With starting right guard Zach Wiegert and starting right tackle Wayne Gandy entering contract years, the Rams couldn't go wrong by adding Florida State tackle Tra Thomas or San Diego State tackle/guard Kyle Turley to their offensive line.

But after taking Orlando Pace at No. 1 overall last year, it's unlikely the Rams will go in that direction again this draft. An offensive guard is more likely to be taken in the second or third rounds.

Even if the Rams don't take Brooking, they still need depth at linebacker. They want to upgrade their backup tight end position, and will look for a wide receiver prospect and perhaps a developmental quarterback in the mid to late rounds.

Vermeil has stated emphatically that he is not interested in Marshall wide receiver Randy Moss because of Moss' off-the-field problems.

OFFENSE

WR -- Isaac Bruce (low need)

LT -- Orlando Pace (low need) LG -- John Gerak/Ryan Tucker (high need)

C -- Mike Gruttaduaria (moderate need)

RG -- Zach Wiegert (moderate need)

RT -- Wayne Gandy (low need)

TE -- Ernie Conwell (moderate need)

WR -- Eddie Kennison (moderate need)

RB -- Jerald Moore (high need)

FB -- Craig "Ironhead" Heyward (moderate need)

QB -- Tony Banks (moderate need)

DEFENSE

RE -- Jay Williams (high need)

DT -- D'Marco Farr (moderate need)

DT -- Ray Agnew (moderate need)

LE -- Kevin Carter (low need)

ROLB -- Roman Phifer (low need)

MLB -- Eric Hill (moderate need)

LOLB -- Mike Jones (low need)

RC -- Ryan McNeil (moderate need)

SS -- Toby Wright/Billy Jenkins Jr. (low need)

FS -- Keith Lyle (low need)

LC -- Todd Lyght (low need)

SPECIALISTS

PK -- Jeff Wilkins (low need)

P -- Rick Tuten (low need)

Draft picks (8 total) Round 1 -- No. 6 overall. Round 2 -- No. 36 overall. Round 3 -- No. 66 overall. Round 4 -- No. 93 overall. (from San Diego) Round 4 -- No. 96 overall. Round 5 -- No. 126 overall. Round 6 -- No. 156 overall. Round 7 -- No. 186 overall. (Overall numbers are before compensatory picks are announced)

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