2015 NFL Draft Grades For The St. Louis Rams

The NFC West is prime for transition as the San Francisco 49ers may be trending down, the Seattle Seahawks could be leveling off (even with Jimmy Graham) and the St. Louis Rams may have no better opportunity to transcend such a tough division. The rise begins with the 2015 NFL Draft, but will these incoming prospects guide the Rams in turning the corner?

2015 NFL Draft Grades For The St. Louis Rams

The NFC West is prime for transition as the San Francisco 49ers may be trending down, the Seattle Seahawks could be leveling off (even with Jimmy Graham) and the St. Louis Rams may have no better opportunity to transcend such a tough division. The rise begins with the 2015 NFL Draft, but will these incoming prospects guide the Rams in turning the corner?

Round 1 (No. 10): Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia

We don’t know yet if Todd Gurley fell to the Rams or if the Rams rose at the opportunity to acquire the former Georgia Bulldogs RB, but either way the Rams should be happy to have the explosive back. Now the onus is on Gurley to stay upright and healthy.

Grade: A-

Round 1 (No. 10): Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia

We don’t know yet if Todd Gurley fell to the Rams or if the Rams rose at the opportunity to acquire the former Georgia Bulldogs RB, but either way the Rams should be happy to have the explosive back. Now the onus is on Gurley to stay upright and healthy.

Grade: A-

Round 2 (No. 57): Rob Havenstein, OT, Wisconsin

I have a soft spot for lineman, especially when you can grab a proven pass protector and run blocker in the second round. Being 6-foot-7 and 321 pounds isn’t a bad sign either.

Grade: B+

Round 2 (No. 57): Rob Havenstein, OT, Wisconsin

I have a soft spot for lineman, especially when you can grab a proven pass protector and run blocker in the second round. Being 6-foot-7 and 321 pounds isn’t a bad sign either.

Grade: B+

Round 3 (No. 72): Jamon Brown, OT, Louisville

By hell or “heavy” water, the Rams are beefing up the offensive line. The best thing about Brown in my opinion, is that Brown’s played at both left and right tackle during his time at Louisville. Injuries happen in the NFL and Brown’s versatility is a benefit.

Grade: B+

Round 3 (No. 72): Jamon Brown, OT, Louisville

By hell or “heavy” water, the Rams are beefing up the offensive line. The best thing about Brown in my opinion, is that Brown’s played at both left and right tackle during his time at Louisville. Injuries happen in the NFL and Brown’s versatility is a benefit.

Grade: B+

Round 3 (No. 89): Sean Mannion, QB, Oregon St.

I’m all for intelligent quarterbacks, but in this instance you take the best available. The best available and the most NFL-ready was Bryce Petty. Jeff Fisher and the Rams “Powers that Be” may have whiffed on this one.

Grade: C-

Round 3 (No. 89): Sean Mannion, QB, Oregon St.

I’m all for intelligent quarterbacks, but in this instance you take the best available. The best available and the most NFL-ready was Bryce Petty. Jeff Fisher and the Rams “Powers that Be” may have whiffed on this one.

Grade: C-

Round 4 (No. 119): Andrew Donnal, OT, Iowa

The Rams are again banking on upside with Andrew Donnal. A lineman willing to work hard, but still lacking crisp control of defenders, Donnal will be a project for the Rams to work on.

Grade: C

Round 4 (No. 119): Andrew Donnal, OT, Iowa

The Rams are again banking on upside with Andrew Donnal. A lineman willing to work hard, but still lacking crisp control of defenders, Donnal will be a project for the Rams to work on.

Grade: C

Round 6 (No. 201): Bud Sasser, WR, Missouri

Bud Sasser put up great numbers in the stead of Dorial Green-Beckham, hauling 77 catches for 1,003 yards at Missouri in 2014. At 6-foot-2, 210 pounds Sasser definitely has NFL size, but it’ll all come down to whether or not Sasser can make the NFL adjustments.

Grade: A-

Round 6 (No. 201): Bud Sasser, WR, Missouri

Bud Sasser put up great numbers in the stead of Dorial Green-Beckham, hauling 77 catches for 1,003 yards at Missouri in 2014. At 6-foot-2, 210 pounds Sasser definitely has NFL size, but it’ll all come down to whether or not Sasser can make the NFL adjustments.

Grade: A-

Round 6 (No. 215): Cody Wichmann, G, Fresno St.

Deep into the sixth round, all you can count on is upside. Cody Wichmann goes 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, so the size is definitely NFL caliber and is an attribute that says Wichmann is worth developing.

Grade: C

Round 6 (No. 215): Cody Wichmann, G, Fresno St.

Deep into the sixth round, all you can count on is upside. Cody Wichmann goes 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, so the size is definitely NFL caliber and is an attribute that says Wichmann is worth developing.

Grade: C

Round 7 (No. 224): Bryce Hager, ILB, Baylor

What jumps out the most is Bryce Hager’s above-average combination of size and speed. Hager is able to move 234 pounds through a 4.6/40 and will have to continue to parlay speed with power to impress upon an already forceful Rams defense.

Grade: A-

Round 7 (No. 224): Bryce Hager, ILB, Baylor

What jumps out the most is Bryce Hager’s above-average combination of size and speed. Hager is able to move 234 pounds through a 4.6/40 and will have to continue to parlay speed with power to impress upon an already forceful Rams defense.

Grade: A-

Round 7 (No. 227): Martin Ifedi, DE, Memphis

Most photos of Martin Ifedi show the former Memphis Tigers defensive end bearing down on the ball carrier, meaning there are rare idle moments attached to Ifedi’s game. This is the kind of intensity you have to get from a seventh-rounder, and it’s the kind of intensity Ifedi will have to bring every down and through every whistle with the Rams.

Grade: A

Round 7 (No. 227): Martin Ifedi, DE, Memphis

Most photos of Martin Ifedi show the former Memphis Tigers defensive end bearing down on the ball carrier, meaning there are rare idle moments attached to Ifedi’s game. This is the kind of intensity you have to get from a seventh-rounder, and it’s the kind of intensity Ifedi will have to bring every down and through every whistle with the Rams.

Grade: A