2014 NFL Draft: 5 Players the St. Louis Rams Must Avoid

By Anthony Blake

5 Players the St. Louis Rams Must Avoid in 2014 NFL Draft

St. Louis Rams — As deep as the 2014 NFL Draft promises to be at the wide receiver position, linking the St. Louis Rams to any and every projected first-rounder just doesn’t seem to make sense. Plenty of mock drafts have the Rams taking a wideout at either No. 2 or No. 13 overall, but such a pick would be foolish given the boom or bust propensity. Consider that the theme for this list of five players the Rams absolutely must avoid selecting in May’s draft.

5. Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State

Kelvin Benjamin 2014 NFL Draft

5. Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State

Kelvin Benjamin 2014 NFL Draft — The reason for placing Kelvin Benjamin at the lowest spot on the list is because he at least would provide a bit of variety to what is a one-dimensional receiving corps. Although Austin Pettis is a bigger bodied wideout, Benjamin could provide some value as a potential red zone target. Regardless of that potential, the Rams don’t need to spend an early pick on a receiver.

4. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix 2014 NFL Draft

4. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama

Ha Ha Clinton-Dix 2014 NFL Draft — Just for a little variety on this list, it would also be foolish for the Rams to spend a first-round pick on a safety at this point. T.J. McDonald is a work in progress, but he has the potential to develop into a solid starter. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is a very aggressive safety who could easily get torched at the next level. Neither he nor fellow first-round prospect Calvin Pryor should be a member of the Rams on draft day.

3. Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn

Greg Robinson 2014 NFL Draft

3. Greg Robinson, OT, Auburn

Greg Robinson 2014 NFL Draft — The talent and upside of Greg Robinson is obvious, but the reasoning behind the Rams taking him just isn’t there. Joe Barksdale was solid at right tackle with Rodger Saffold working inside, and if Jake Long can get healthy the line will be just fine. Jeff Fisher has never been head coach of a team that took a lineman in Round 1, and that won’t change this offseason in St. Louis with Robinson or even Jake Matthews.

2. Tre Mason, RB, Auburn

Tre Mason 2014 NFL Draft

2. Tre Mason, RB, Auburn

Tre Mason 2014 NFL Draft — Some believe the Rams may look for a complementary back to their bowling ball with legs in Zac Stacy, but that shouldn’t happen. Tre Mason is the polar opposite of Stacy with explosiveness and top end speed, but the Rams already have a capable secondary option in Daryl Richardson. The front office wants him to remain a part of the plans, so taking another back would be unnecessarily redundant.

1. Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

Sammy Watkins 2014 NFL Draft

1. Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson

Sammy Watkins 2014 NFL Draft — Is Sammy Watkins going to be a dynamic wideout at the next level? I have absolutely no idea. The real sticking point here with the Rams needing to avoid the former Clemson Tiger is not his talent level but their perceived need at the receiver position. Tavon Austin is entering year two along with Stedman Bailey while both Chris Givens and Brian Quick will be in their third years. Those guys need a chance to develop without competing for reps.

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Los Angeles Rams

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