With The 14th Pick In The 2011 Stampede Blue Community Mock Draft, The St. Louis Rams Select...

Cameron Jordan - DE, California

Pick made by VolsnCards5:

When TouchdownColts chose Julio Jones for the Redskins with the 10th pick, my no-brainer draft selection became somewhat difficult. Truth be told, if the draft were to play out like this in April, I could see the Rams cashing in on the Cam Newton love and trading down for more picks. The Rams have multiple needs, both on offense and defense, so adding picks by trading down would be a welcome addition. The Rams biggest need is a play-making WR for young QB Sam Bradford to throw to while the two grow old together. Unfortunately, as alluded to earlier, the two WR who would not be reaches at 14 are off the board in this draft.

So, I look at the Rams other needs (OLB, DE, DT, help in the secondary, interior O-lineman, TE?) and meld that together with my best player available (BPA) principles to choose Cameron Jordan, DE from the University of California. This was actually a pretty difficult decision, as there are other players for whom a case can be made as being the BPA. One of the numerous 1st round OTs? Well the Rams are set at OT for years with young studs Jason Smith and Rodger Saffold (sheds tear). Aldon Smith? Not sold on him as an every down DE. JJ Watt? Sure, but I think Jordan is....better.

Depending on where you look, Jordan is anywhere from a top-8 value to a top-20 value. I will split the difference and take him at 14 due to his potential versatility. Some may see him as a 3-4 end (which was his position in college), but most believe his variety of rush moves and ability to play the run will allow him to play the 5-tech in a 4-3. He has NFL strength and can be a devestating tackler, which will serve him well in the run and pass game. He's not great with lateral pursuit, but he is adequate, and should be a stud every-down DE sooner rather than later. Coach Steve Spagnuolo loves to generate a strong pass rush in throwing situations. When he was with the Giants, he would line up 4 DE along the line. I see Jordan as being a guy who can move over to DT on passing downs, like Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka did under the tutelage of Spagnuolo in New York. The Rams might be a great situation for Jordan since they have two established DEs, James Hall and Chris Long, on their roster. This will give him time to learn the 4-3 system without the pressure of being a starter, taking over for the aging Hall when he is ready. Plus Spagnuolo's defense churns out quality DE like Country Crock churns out butter (I know, thats terrible).

I feel that in 2011, Jordan will be in the rotation at DE, coming in as a DT on obvious passing downs to give the Rams a technically gifted pash rush. Good value pick at a position of semi-need for the Rams.

If Jordan is taken 14th overall, it'll be the third time in the past 5 years the Rams have taken a DL in the first round (Adam Carriker, Chris Long). Also, it'll be the second straight year a DL from California is taken in the top half of the first round, as Tyson Alualu was selected 10th overall by the Jaguars last year.

Cameron Jordan Scouting Report from Mocking the Draft

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