Draft buzz: OT/Jake Long

So, as it's developed since the last time I blogged, the Rams, instead of having an inside track at the NFC West title or a playoff spot, instead have an inside track at the #1 overall pick in the 2008 Draft thanks to a horrid, injury-filled, poorly-coached 0-6 "run". So now we're seriously entertaining what the Rams should do with that very #1 pick, or a top 5 pick, at worst.

The perils of the Ram offensive line this year make it logical to consider it as a need area, especially the tackle position, which is breaking down with age and injuries. Orlando Pace has missed significant time in two straight seasons and is hardly a lock to bounce back and play like a Pro Bowler in 2008. He didn't look that strong this preseason, to tell the truth, and his Hall-of-Fame career may be on the wane. Todd Steussie is closing in on 40 and he'd be very within reason to call it a wrap after '07. Alex Barron's showing he can play either tackle position, and has shown excellent durability as the Ram offensive line's Last Man Standing, but he's too inconsistent to be considered a star player. Adam Goldberg and Milford Brown are guards who sometimes run around dressed as tackles and have no business there. Brandon Gorin hasn't been around long enough to know if he's remotely a long-term solution.

That's not a pretty picture, but I don't think it calls for use of a high draft pick, either. If Pace bounces back, you have your starting tackles back, and you just have to find a veteran FA or a late-round draft pick to back them up. It's a little gnarlier if Pace doesn't come back for some reason. I'd argue that should mean moving Barron to LT. He's got experience there; he isn't lost at the position; there's good reason to think he'll be good there. With Barron at LT, you're looking for a RT and OT depth, neither of which you would use a first-round pick on. I'd only use the first-round pick on an OT if Pace can't come back and Barron is judged as best to use at RT. Then you'd want to use the high pick on an elite LT, stick him in the lineup like the Browns have with Joe Thomas, and let the QBs fall where they may.

Which brings me to Jake Long, currently NFL Draft Countdown's #1 prospect in the draft. Should the Rams draft Jake Long if he's on the board? This 9/17 War Room "Draft Dish" in the Sporting News gives me pause:

"Widely hyped as the best offensive tackle in the nation and a likely top five pick, Michigan's Jake Long (6-7, 313) is not the elite athlete NFL teams prefer to have at left tackle and more likely will play the right side. He is tough and competitive, but his stiffness and lack of quickness limit him."

Reports like that make me back off the idea of the Rams drafting Jake Long. You don't use a top five pick on a right tackle. The Rams definitely do not need to have a pick that high turn into Robert Gallery, who leaps to mind when I read War Room's analysis.

With no other college tackle currently emerging as a top-five overall candidate, I recommend against the Rams using their first-round pick in 2008 on an OT.