No. 2

Pick by Turf Show Times Vernon Gholston Defensive End Ohio State

In our first minor upset pick of the year, the St. Louis Rams at #2 overall select... Vernon Gholston, DE, Ohio State University.  VanRam, head blogger at SB Nation's Rams blog, Turf Show Times, made the brave pick and provided this analysis:

  Everyone assumes that after a season marred by injuries on the line the Rams will take this year's top tackle prospect, Jake Long. It's just a matter of conventional wisdom.

Well, conventional wisdom is wrong. By grabbing Gholston with the second pick, the Rams get a stand out DE that instantly makes their defensive line an impressive unit, one of the better d-lines in the division in this blogger's humble opinion. Gholston gives the Rams a playmaker and a pass rushing threat. This is a team that has several needs on defense, but upgrading the d-line to this level will help them overcome holes elsewhere. See: Giants, New York, Super Bowl.

Jake Long would most likely wind up as the right guard with the Rams, for at least a couple seasons until either Pace is hurt or Alex Barron finally frustrates to the point of no redeeming himself. Handing out a 6 year/$60 million contract to a guard when a playmaker like Gholston is available and figures to have a real impact in his first season just isn't going to get this team over the 3 win bottom out season that was 2007. Gholston's something special. There'll be an offensive lineman in the next round.

Matt Miller, host of this site as well as owner of New Era Scouting, provides his analysis below:

  What a great pick for the Rams. Gholston is an amazing athlete who will give them something their defense hasn't had since the days of Deacon Jones, a fierce pass rusher. The Rams have wisely added to their defensive line in the past few drafts, and now we should start to see the rewards from it.

The only beef I have with this pick is that Orlando Pace is on his last legs. Alex Barron has been solid, but he's also a candidate to jump off-sides every play. Barron is a good player, but not an elite left tackle. The jury is out some on Jake Long's potential to play the left side, so I understand passing on him here. I'd like to see the Rams add a left tackle in the next few rounds.

Grade: B+ ::  Vernon Gholston Scouting Report - New Era Scouting :: Matt Miller's Top Five Remaining Prospects - OT Jake Long, RB Darren McFadden, DT Glenn Dorsey, QB Matt Ryan, DT Sedrick Ellis

Along we roll!  That's it for today, but we'll be right back tomorrow morning (around 10AM ET) with our next pick.  Speaking of that pick, the Atlanta Falcons, represented by The Falcoholic, are now on the clock!