2007 DRAFT NEEDS:

ST. LOUIS RAMS

presented by

by PFT Editor Mike Florio, with Matt Miller of NewEraScouting.com

Selecting at No. 13 in a draft that is top heavy with wideouts, the Rams might want to consider replenishing what once was the team's strongest position on the roster.

Sure, Drew Bennett was signed as a free agent, but Shaun McDonald and Kevin Curtis are long gone, Isaac Bruce is running on the fumes of fumes, and Torry Holt is starting to show signs of wear and tear.  They'll likely have their choice of all of the available wideouts in round one, with the exception of Calvin Johnson.

Another real area of need is at defensive tackle.  Jimmy Kennedy was/is/always will be a bust, and La'Roi Glover can't be a three-down guy anymore.  Claude Wroten fell into their laps in the 2006 draft due to some past troubles with loco weed; he needs to go another year or two without incident before he can be regarded as reliable over the long term.  If Amobi Okoye is still on the board at No. 13, the Rams should jump on him.  However, we don't think he'll still be around.

The defensive line also could use some help at the end position.  Victor Adeyanju (gesundheit) was a pleasant surprise as a rookie, but the Rams could use another guy to eventually take the place of Leonard Little, who turns 33 this year.  They picked up James Hall from the Lions, but could be intrigued by a guy like Jarvis Moss in round one.

With the release of Dexter Coakley and the so-so performance of Brandon Chillar, a strongside linebacker would be a wise addition in the draft.  But it's not an area to address until day two of the draft.

On the offensive line, depth is necessary at every position.  It also might be a good idea to start grooming a new right tackle, in the event that Alex Barron becomes the heir to Orlando Pace, who is entering his eleventh NFL season.

One area where the Rams clearly don't have needs is at tight end.  They drafted two last year, and signed Randy McMichael after he was cut by the Dolphins.  Though Dominique Tyrd might be regarded by some teams as radioactive, it might be a good idea for the Rams to dangle Tyrd and Joe Klopfenstein in an effort to snare another pick or two.