timmeno: The rams schould look to trade down for 2-1rd and 2nd or 3rd pk? We need to rebuild this team,and their are still a few players that need to be cleared of cap space. Draft-Johnson. They also need to resign OJ-and Barron. Remenber he was drafted to play OLT when Pace was gone and now is the time. Bell played well at ORT when he was with the Titians and will remind many of a young Tucker who played at our superbowl run. What we now need are young backup lineman. One we had before, C.Terrell and another if we trade down for 2-1rd'ers? Britton from az. As for qb? Yes wee need to look down the road. I think that a Boller,not playing under Balt and under the watchfull eye of Ray Ray! The so called fans will find out that Kyle will turn into something special. The only way we schould use the #2 pk is in drafting Mark out of USC! The STL cant remember the cards when the played with Jim Hart and co? The LA Rams won 10nfc west crowns,but lost 9 playoff games,and one superbowl! My heart fell through all of them. Marc will be fine,he just needs to become a leader,they will follow him if he does!
#21 Jim Laurinaitis MLB Ohio ST
#28 Eben Britton OT Arizona
#35 Brian Robisiki WR Ohio ST
#53 Ron Brace DT BC
#67 Jarron Gilbert DE SJ ST
4th rd Javon Ringer RB Mich ST
5th rd Tom Brandstater Qb Fresno St
#67

Jim Thomas: You've obviously put a lot of thought into this, but it doesn't look like a trade-down will happen at No. 2 overall.

dominic: Hey Jim:
1)Im convinced we wont trade out number 1 and will select Jason Smith or Monroe,which one is rated higher by the Rams?
2)However,I expect us to trade our 2nd pick for moe picks because we need players.Is that something you would consider because after tackle,Id like a dt,lb and running back and we can get greater value after trading our 2,thoughts?
3)And do you know your draft day schedule with espn101.1 that saturday and sunday on draft weekend? Guaranteed Ill be listening all day....yes!
Thanx Jim......

Jim Thomas: 1.) Don't know. But the Rams have yet to determine their final grades.
2.) An interesting thought, because obviously it will be easier to trade a high second than a high first.
3.) The general plan, at least for Day 1 is that I will be on shortly before and shortly after each Rams pick.

Oliver: Hey Jim,
I have a few questions regarding the OT situation at the Rams.

1. How good are J.Smith and E.Monroe compared to Jake Long last year in your opinion?
2. How much better are J.Smith and E.Monroe than possible 2nd and 3rd round OT prospectives such as William Beatty?
3. Why is J.Smith considered better than E.Monroe? It seems like more bench presses doesn't directly translate into production. I remember J.Smith was considered the 3rd best a while ago....
4. What are the upsides of William Beatty?

thanks

Jim Thomas: 1.) I think the general consensus is that J. Long was a better prospect coming out.
2.) Some view Beatty as an underachiever; some view him as having a big upside. Some scouts I talk to say the Rams would be better off taking Curry at No. 2 overall, and hoping that Britton (not likely), Beatty or Loadholt is available in Round 2.
3.) Good question. The only area in terms of workout and measurables where Smith was clearly ahead of Monroe is the bench press. But tackles with long arms often don't bench all that great. Smith is considered a better run blocker and a more aggressive run blocker than Monroe. Smith also comes across as much more glib and confident as compared to Monroe, who comes across as more passive than Smith. But this buzz could be little more than a media creation out of the combine because Smith was a much better interview. But Orlando Pace seemed almost shy in interviews, and we all see what a player he turned out to be. One other possibility: Monroe had a kneecap problem early in his college career, but it doesn't seem to be viewed as anything that's a big problem.

Dave In St. Peters: Jim,
I know its hard with the money involved for the rams to move out of the number 2 spot. Lets say that we find it possible to move into the 7-10 range...do you think we would still be looking to move down further for premium picks (first two rounds) in this years or next years draft? I think its easier to move down the 2nd time than the first time....if possible just how far would we be willing to move?

Jim Thomas: The problem isn't the Rams' willingness to move down; it's finding a trading partner willing to move up to No. 2. I don't think the Rams have decided yet how far they're willing to trade down.

OT RamFan: I suspect the Rams closed their practice to the media so negative articles could not be written concerning player performance, thus diminishing that players trade value. Being a fan, I don't like that deal, if I own the team, it makes sense...only this time! After all, that was the staffs first opportunity to assess players in real time. Carriker is the player who comes immediately to mind in this scenario, seems like they would be evaluating he and Ryan intensely. For such a high draft choice and such a critical position, is surprises me I can't find anyone, anywhere on any site who is passionate about keeping him...or for that matter trading him. Do you think the observation about practice is correct and what's up with Carriker? Seems like he might be a valuable player in a 3-4. What would his trade value be?

Jim Thomas: Unless a player was grossly out of shape, I think it would be hard to write anything negative out of an April minicamp, where the players are running around in shorts, T-shirts, and helmets. I think the minicamp was closed because Spagnuolo simply knew he could close it. By league rules, the so-called "mandatory" minicamp must be open to the media. But this was a "voluntary" minicamp. Spagnuolo is a micro-manager and this is the way Coughlin did it in New York and Reid did it in Philly _ his two previous NFL stops.
As for Carriker, I don't know what his trade value is. But I don't think the Rams are in any hurry to trade him, particularly with only one other DT on the roster in Ryan.