In 2012, the Rams could not have dreamed of a better situation. They traded the second overall pick that year to the Washington Redskins (who drafted Robert Griffin III) for a plethora of picks, including Washington’s 2014 first round pick. Now, in the 2014 NFL Draft, the Rams are sitting happily with the second overall selection and a wide variety of talent to choose from. It is time for the Rams to cash in and seize the moment. Selecting South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney would do just that.
With the NFC West arguably being the best division in the NFL, the Rams can’t afford to mess up this pick. There is one common theme that is true for every team in the NFC West: dominant defensive lines. You can never have enough pass rushers. Could you imagine the terror in the eyes of the offensive line that needed to block a pass rush of Robert Quinn, Chris Long, and Jadeveon Clowney? Clearly this would have an immediate impact in the division.
Arguably the best prospect in the draft, the Houston Texans have the first overall pick and they might just take Clowney themselves. If they pass on him, the Rams would have a huge decision to make. Unless a team offers a trade similar to the Redskins trade in 2012, taking Clowney is the best decision. A perfect fit in Jeff Fisher’s and new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ system, Clowney would terrorize the rest of the league. Athletic defensive ends are the perfect way to combat elusive quarterbacks in the NFC West such as Colin Kaepernick of the 49ers and Russell Wilson of the Seahawks. In the short term, Clowney could make the Rams already dominant defensive line the best in the NFL. That team would certainly be fun to watch.
However, in the long-term as well. Looking down the road, the Rams could let Chris Long leave in free agency and pay Robert Quinn with his money. Scheduled to make $13.2 million this season, Chris Long is one of the highest paid players on the Rams. Long is certainly a talented player, but Robert Quinn is unquestionably more talented. Keeping Clowney on a rookie contract allows the Rams to give Quinn a big contract in 2016 and let Long walk in 2017. If cap situations force the Rams to lose Long in 2017, which is very possible, who will replace him at one of the most important positions in the game? Drafting Clowney today will make that decision easy, as the young stud will be heading into his prime.
Clowney is not the only great prospect that would help the Rams, but he is clearly the best. Taking a wide receiver such as Sammy Watkins could revive Sam Bradford’s career. With a plethora of offensive line problems, offensive tackles Greg Robinson or Jake Matthews would certainly help. But defenses win championships. Year after year, teams with dominant defenses seem to prevail in the playoffs. The league’s #1 defense just destroyed the NFL’s #1 offense in the Super Bowl this year. A great pass rush would take pressure off of the relatively young secondary. An upgrade for Rodney McLeod in the secondary is very likely to be selected in the first or second round. That would leave Janoris Jenkins (25) as the oldest starter in the secondary. Getting a player like Alterraun Verner in free agency would complete one of the best defenses in the league.
If the Rams are lucky enough to obtain Clowney, expect a playoff appearance from St. Louis for the first time in ten years.
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