While trading down and accumulating draft picks is always a popular resolution amongst fans, the fact is, the top 5 or so picks in the NFL draft have become poison due to the amount of money it requires to sign unproven NFL talent. The Rams need to address left tackle in the first round - and with 3 or 4 potential franchise left tackles in this year’s draft, trading downis optimal. However, I would still be surprised if a team is willing to come up to number 2 and all the dollar commitments that come with it to make a trade with the Rams. Trust the Rams staff to evaluate the best of the LT’s and solidify the position for a decade or so.

Curry

Why draft an OL when there is an abundance of them this year and one could still be picked up in the second round. Go for the sure thing, Curry.

In all likelihood; the only taker I see, is Denver. Right now, they have the 12th pick. They might not be able to get that ‘franchise’ QB that far down. What other teams are even in the market for a QB right now. For htat matter, what teams - if any, have a need that imperative?

Rams need Curry in the worst way! Get that stud middle linebacker. If Lions get him, then take Eugene Monroe. We have some good players already, we just needed a coach that the players will respect, with a system that they will understand. I think we now have both, so pick the best available player at #2 and lets get rolling.

As has been stated by most of the sports media above….the simple easy thing to do is grab curry and give this revamp of the defense another brick in the wall there building. The offense is going to be “work in progress” and it’s going to be awhile (i.e. shell shocked Q.B. barron not knowing his job, offense guru’s doing the “plug & play” game and pray it works.)

If I am the GM and I know now what the Broncos got for the trade of Cutler, I would be on the phone to the GM in denver to see if they are interested in the #2 pick for their first #1 and their #3 they got from the Bears. If the deal is made I look to drafting Jeremy Maclin or Ray Maualuga. I could still get my wide receiver in round 2 and my OL in 3.

Keep #2 pick for Curry. If Detroit takes him at #1 and we have some body interested in trading up THEN accept the trade and move down and get additional picks. But don’t trade away the chance to get Curry.

For the first time in years I’m glad we have a “Football Guy” like Devaney making the calls here! I was impressed with last years draft and am sure he will make the right moves!

Roger’s logic is right on… CURRY, its a dank meal and it can play middle linebacker

I also like Curry, but for crying out loud! Everybody talks about OTs and how they can be hit or miss. Isn’t that true for every position? Like a MLB never failed to produce? And a MLB with the #2 overall? Let alone one who isn’t a MLB to begin with. If we do draft him, put him at the SLB spot and draft a MLB later.

Denver needs a QB, They want Mark Sanchez and he wont be there at #12, plus they got extra picks. Swap picks with them, and get an extra 2nd round pick from them, Maclin will fall into the Rams lap at #12.

Roger got it right. Curry is that special player in the draft, he has all the physical tools and graduated this spring!.

I can’t get a feel for what Devaney and the Rams are going to do. i just hope Shaw is “really” out of the picture. Two words–Offensive Tackle.

Okay(sigh), I’m convinced.., draft Curry - get a LT in the second round - and then flesh out the depth chart for defense and the WR corp.

Somewhere along the line - try to find a not TOO old veteran WR or somebody to take the heat off of Avery. Like…, Boldin, maybe?

what about cris draft,as i recall he played the middlr quite well for carolina.the past regime seemed to overlook him.we have players that are coachable despite what brainiacs @ the post think. tinoisomoa is always out of sync.

Curry. Let’s try ‘Greatest D on Turf’ for a change.

For goodness sake everybody stop asking for Aaron Curry, its not gonna happen. The Rams need a WR or LT ten times more than they need a decent ILB. We will be fine at that position in the end but taking Curry will not help us as much as someone who can protect Bulger/Jackson or take some pressure off of Donnie Avery.

Gordo couldn’t agree more with you about Curry.

I would love to see us take Aaron Curry with our 1st round - 2nd pick of the draft, then take a OT with our 2nd round pick. What if we pick up Plaxico Burress to help out our WRs crop. Was he really that bad of a player/person, or did the NY Media just hung him out to dry. What are your thoughts?

The expense of top 5 picks, combined with historical references to many that have either washed out or underperformed, makes pick especially sensative for the Rams. While we all have high hopes for Chris Long (#2 overall) and Adam Carriker (#13), neither have yet achieved the performance level expected of their positions in the draft. If we are honest, we all expect #1’s, and especially high #1’s to reach Pro Bowl performance level, even if it’s 3rd Team honorable mention. At least with Carriker and Tye Hill (#15) their contracts are not so weighty as top 5 pick contacts now. The Rams simply have so many needs, and unfortunately not enough money to chase unproven players. Money is the bottom line to why we lost Pace and Holt. Money for a top 5 pick will bind the Rams into a 5+ year contract for talent that could turn out to be another Alex Barron, Jimmy Kennedy, Trung Canidate, Damion Lewis, or Ryan Picket- BUT this time it will cost more money.
I say save the cash for proven talent, drop out of the top 5 if they can, try to stay in to 6-15 range, and try to get more picks that fill needs. Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson used this approach back in the day to rebuild the Cowboys. Lets not fool ourselves, the Rams are NOT contenders and ARE rebuilding. Go for more players and hopefully more keepers will shake out.

Yes I agree 100 percent in building a dominant defense first.However I believe you do that with the defensive tackle position first.I would take defensive tackle B.J. Raji with the first round pick assuming of course he is in fact truly drug free as he and his agent claims.B.J. Raji is a big body who can penetrate,stuff the run, and occupy blockers.Billy Devaney himself said there will be good offensive tackles after the 1st round.Is B.J. a reach at no:2 overall?Probably;but so is everyone else at that spot.

This year is no different than any other year, except that the only defensive player you hear about is Curry. That puts him near the top of the draft boards but it doesn’t make him Jesus. By far the biggest need is OT. Draft the best possible and have him work with Brown, Barron and Incognito. Maybe he can gain his alignment knowledge from Brown, his determination not to miss games from Barron and a bit of a nasty streak from Incognito. I’d sure rather have an OT with a year’s experience under his belt than have to draft a rookie AND shell out major $$ for a vet next year when Barron probably leaves.

Okay… Assume Chris Draft does turn out to be a quality MLB and Somoa is out of sync. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a sure-fire LB like Aaron Curry to plug in and rotate with these guys if something happens? The LB core has not been a strength of the Rams since they let Fletcher go (mistake). Curry’s the real deal. Some have said hes the second coming of Ray Lewis. How does Spags turn down a talent like that? If they pass on draft day on Aaron Curry then everything they have done in the offseason so far is pointless. Get that D first!!!

OT is a need but its not the BIGGEST NEED that they need to take one at #2 overall. Its hard to tell whos even the best OT in the draft. How do you pay someone that much money that you aren’t even sure they are the best person in the draft at that position? Curry is the best defensive player available… no debate. AND with the ? marks about Crabs, in my opinion, the SLAM DUNK of the draft!!! GET HIM!!!! Hell if Detroit makes their choice before draft day, don’t even wait til draft day to start working on his contract. GET CURRY THERE THE FIRST DAY OF CAMP!!!

What a pointless debate. Despite no players being worth the #2 pick, no team wants to pay a $56 million contract for a player with no NFL experience. The same value in talent is available at 15-20 for about half the cost in contract. This pick, like last year, is a burden for finishing 2nd last in the NFL, not a reward to even the talent levels.

Why are we wasting time talking about trading down? It WILL NOT happen. There is NO TEAM (including Denver) that will offer enough for the Rams to trade down. KC is shopping the #3 pick as well so there is competition. (Anyone remember Pioli with the Pats, he does well stockpiling picks). So stop the nonsense and worry about signing the #2 pick in the draft so he can compete on the field. Hopefully, Aaron Curry is wearing Blue and Gold in 2009.

Curry if stay. Trade w/ Denver ONLY if get BOTH their #1’s at Least!
If want to go to 2 for Sanchez, they are desperate and believe he’s their franchise QB that do not want to miss out on.
Any less than 2 one’s—we get robbed.

Well if we trade down there are players like Chad Johnson that may be on the trade block and pick up like a 3rd round pick next year

keep the pick and draft OT from Baylor (That will solidify that position for years to come)….keep Barron at RT and hope Jacob Bell can put on some pounds and be effective at Left Gaurd. 2nd pick, draft best Receiver or ILB available (whomever has higher grade)…

Sorry people, Curry is not the answer for this team. If he was a True ILB, “no brainer”…but even Witherspoon couldn’t make the adjustment to ILB and he is much better than Curry…Putting Spoon back at OLB will probably pan out as the smartest move by spags and the new regime…I look for him to make the Pro Bowl and be a standout…We need a true 4-3 ILB and Curry isn’t it…Draft the sure thing OT with 1st pick!!!

Did you just say that Will Witherspoon is better than Aaron Curry? Are you on CRACK?!? Anyone ever remember Will Witherspoon being a big prospect out of college let alone head and shoulders above anyone else in college on the defensive side of the ball?

Aaron Curry and many other experts said that he wouldn’t have a problem moving to the inside. I think he said he’d be “licking his chops” to get in the middle.

As far as LT, leave Barron there. He proved himself there last year and hes in his contract year. Nothing says motivation to a player like Barron than big money and a contract year.

Just ask Albert Haynesworth!!!

Of course Curry’s going to say he wouldn’t have a problem moving inside. He’s applying for a job, he’d say he wouldn’t have a problem singing Chip’s songs if that what it took. And according to which experts you listen to, not all say he is a fit for the middle of a 4/3 and is much better suited for a 3/4.
It was debateble that the Rams and Seahawks didn’t know who the best OT was when Pace and Walter Jones were drafted, but I’d say both teams came away pretty happy with the results.

Sure Curry could turn out to be like Ray Lewis, but history doesn’t support that drafting a LB with that high of a pick pays dividends.

Thank you JK…well put…and Ready STL, Im talking about RIGHT NOW…Witherspoon is a better LB RIGHT NOW!!!…not when Witherspoon was coming out of college…who cares what a guy did coming out of college…Witherspoon was a proven NFL outside LB with Carolina that moved to the Middle and didn’t cut it…so you are expecting an NFL rookie with no NFL experience to Bang Heads in the Middle of a 4-3 Defense that is a true OLB???…I now defer your question back to you…”Are you on CRACK?…LMAO!!!

and no way do I put a non motivated, under-achieving, hard of hearing the snap count Barron at the most important position on the OL…I don’t give a damn if it is his contract year!!! Bulger wouldn’t last 4 games with that guy at LT…PU-LEASE…..

trade down! winning teams stockpile picks, pick well, and coach those players up. #2 gets paid a lot, and any player, no matter the position could be a bust…no way of predicting that. if you have a lot of picks, you have a better chance of picks panning out. i don’t like the curry pick, only b/c i think it’s nuts to draft a #2 and then change his position.

little dash of Curry would spice things up for the Rams

aaron curry is what the rams need. chris draft is to old

NO WAY!!!! There is an impact difference maker out there and he goes by the name of Adam Curry. Rams keep the pick and improve defense

The Rams may be willing to trade down, but if Denver does make a trade, I see it being with either Jacksonville (8) or Green Bay (9). Matt Stafford will be chosen be either Detroit or Seattle, but Denver prefers Mark Sanchez. Sanchez wouldn’t be picked until San Francisco picks at 10. Denver could move up in front of Frisco, get their QB, and The Jags or Packers could still get their man at 12, plus a third-round pick.

To me, it makes sense that teams would want to move up this year. Typically, there are several top tier OT’s loading the top 15 picks. However, this is a down year for the coveted O-Line men. However, there are 2 players who are among the best in years. Curry & Crabtree. Those can justify a costly move-up from needy buyers. Fingers crossed!

The most important statement anyone has made is “I really hope Shaw and the accountant that got fired are really out of the picture”

Draft the best OT available. Remember how good our offense was when OP was a young OT. From Baylor or Virginia would solidify our O line. Protect Bulger and open up holes for SJack. Take a WR with second pick. There haven’t been many MLBs drafted as high as #2. It’s probably going to take two years to fix the team. Concentrate on defense next year.

….this is what we need to do….
….if you find somebody to trade down, do it, if the LIONS take ANYTHING else than QB that will help us to raise the value of the #2 pick due to have the choice of the 2 best QB in the draft (STAFFORD and SANCHEZ), that will be good for DENVER’s case, where we can get their two first round picks for the RAMS 2nd overall pick, that will be a DREAM scenario…in that case we can get somebody like MAUALUGA with the first pick (12th), and maybe OHER or BEATY with the 18th pick….
…if we don’t find anybody to trade down we just pick Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe in the first round, and do anything to trade up to get James LAURENAITIS, you give up your 2nd round pick and a third or something like that an you get 2 starters in your team….WATH DO YOU THING ABOUT THIS GUYS….

The NFL must work out a rookie salary cap with the players union. Until that happens any top 10 picks are pure hype and speculation. We all know there are too many 1st round busts every year. No owner in his right mind wants to gamble $50 million plus on one un-proven player. It’s time to make these high draft picks work hard for 4 years and prove themselves and earn a fat contract. The Rams would be better off letting the clock run out on their pick and falling back a few spots if they can’t find a team to trade down with. That way they save a few million and still get a decent pick.

LT.Barron.LG.Bell.Center.Brown.RG.Incognito.RT.(ROOKIE), this is the lineup you will see on opening day…this is the direction the Rams are going in…..Curry will be the first pick and then the RT position…Barron is a Lt and did will for the injured Pace in ‘07…If anyone paid attention…..The new coaching staff did not put Barron there just to have a looksee….They have a well established center now and what about the mild mannered Incognito…I say that the offensive line is just about put together and they have the depth with OT Goldberg, OG Greco(4THrd pick last year), OG Setterstrom, OT Scheuning(5th rd pick last year), and 3 of those guys play center too!! We need Curry and plug him in @ MLB 6′2″ 255, 4.5 speed in the 40, Witherspoon, Curry, Draft Starting LB’s next season!!! GO RAMS

Trade down if possible. If not then your probably stuck over paying for good talent, not great. Curry makes a lot of sense. We haven’t had a good linebacker corp since Fletcher departed, but Crabtree could be a superstar. He could be a player that makes pro bowls and turns into a game changing receiver. He has the biggest upside. Taking Crabtree would immediately make the Rams more exciting.

CURRY, CURRY, CURRY!!!! We have not had a middle linebacker since London and it shows!

Okay, dream scenario;

Detroit, doesn’t take Stafford, San Francisco, trades up to get him and we get Bruce back. Then we’d have THE veteran WR, to ’school’ the youngsters and Ike, would retire - wearing the ‘Horns’.

In reality though - for some reason; I have to prefer Curry as opposed to Crabtree. Just too many lingering - unanswered questions.