The Perfect Draft: St. Louis Rams

With the draft approaching, we ignore projections and identify the dream scenario for each team in a series we call The Perfect Draft.

Entering the offseason, the Rams had -- to understate things a bit -- an uphill battle in order to compete in 2009. We listed six, with possibly a seventh, definite needs to be addressed. Despite releasing roster mainstays Orlando Pace and Torry Holt, the Rams have addressed several of these needs. They shored up the middle of the offensive line, helped the running game with a blocking fullback addition, added depth to receiver, and signed a solid safety. They'll try to complete a productive offseason with a solid draft.

The Ideal Pick

Jason Smith. Last time the Rams mounted a successful building project, they began with a future All-Pro left tackle, the beast that was Pace. They need to repeat this blueprint with the Steve Spagnuolo era, and the 6'5" 309-pound Smith is the best pass blocker in the draft -- one stacked with talented tackles. He's a solid bet to morph into a perennial pro-bowler, despite having enrolled at Baylor as a tight end. With Jason Brown anchoring the middle and Smith watching Marc Bulger's backside, the Rams will have a good foundation to rebuilding their offensive line. It needs to be done, because that unit was simply pathetic last year, and you run the risk of wasting quality skill personnel if the line sucks.

Once that foundation is in place, the running lanes for Steven Jackson get a little bigger, while Bulger will have more time to get the ball downfield. By no means does this pick fulfill every need the Rams have, but unfortunately they only get one first round pick, not four. Smith is the smartest bet.

Other Needs

A team who could have easily gone 0-16 obviously has myriad needs. Despite the addition of Laurent Robinson, they definitely need to add at least one receiver to the fray. Really, with seven draft picks they should probably take two wideouts. The other really pressing need is in the linebacking corps. You could actually justify the Rams taking Aaron Curry in the first round, but I'm of the belief they really need that offensive line cornerstone. They still could use an able-bodied backup to Jackson in the backfield, and pretty much every position they have lacks true depth.

Depending on how things fall, the Rams could realistically land James Laurinaitis with the third pick in the second round. If he plummets that far, it would be an absolute coup for the first two rounds of St. Louis' draft. If Laurinaitis doesn't fall, which is the most likely scenario, the Rams can focus on grabbing a quality receiver like Kenny Britt or Brian Robiskie -- maybe Hakeem Nicks or Darrius Heyward-Bey fall? -- and focus on linebacker in the third round. Larry English is also an option, should the Rams go after a pass rushing outside linebacker with the second round pick.

For me, the Rams utopian draft would be to land Smith, Laurinaitis, two solid receivers, another linebacker, a "best defensive player on the board," and a "best offensive player on the board."