BBV Community Mock Draft 2011: With The 14th Pick, St. Louis Selects ...

Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri.

Playing the role of St. Louis general manager is 'GiantsNomad.' Here is his rationale for the selection of Smith.

The Rams have a lot of reasons to be hopeful, heading into the 2011 season. Sam Bradford looks like the truth. The rookie first-overall pick had an excellent season, setting a number of rookie records along the way. He demonstrated uncanny accuracy and more importantly, the ability to win games with a team that hadn’t won a lot of games over the past few years. They have a rock at middle linebacker in James Laurinitis and Chris Long seems to have finally "gotten it." The Rams almost made the playoffs (albeit in the NFC West) for goodness sake! With a coach like Steve Spagnulo and a good 2011 draft, there’s no reason the Rams shouldn’t win the division championship.

So with the beginnings of a star quarterback, it makes sense to protect and build around him. Everybody had projected a WR (namely Julio Jones) to the Rams; however, with his combine performance he launched himself out of their reach. There isn’t a wide receiver available worth this pick. What about protecting him? The Rams are set at tackle though. They could use a guard, so maybe they could pick up Pouncey. He’s versatile, projects well and I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the pick. I just don’t think that WILL be the pick. The Rams will probably look for a WR and OL after the first round. That leaves us with defense.

The Giants have proved they’re fantastic at developing defensive linemen; however, it’s no coincidence that Chris Long only got it going once Spagnulo became his coach. Look for him to pick up Missouri DE Aldon Smith. He’s raw like JPP, but he’s also athletic like JPP. If anybody can develop him it’s Spags…and the Giants, because that’s what we do. He was injured so his stats aren’t pretty with only 10 TFL and 4.5 sacks, but he is a freak of nature and on one leg last season, he was very disruptive. I know he sounds a lot like JPP, and picks like JPP are more bust than boom; however, the key is he has a high motor. A lot of these super athletes never needed to try and that’s why they bust. JPP and Smith have the work ethic and that should help them both succeed.

My take: I am conflicted on this pick. The Rams have a ton of defensive needs and Spagnuolo understands the value of pass-rushing defensive ends. Question is, if the Rams go that way is Smith the right pick? I might prefer California's Cameron Jordan if I was picking defense for the Rams. He is 25 pounds heavier and more of a classic 4-3 defensive end, whereas the 263-pound Smith might be a 'tweener who could have some trouble against the run.

If the Rams go defensive end Wisconsin's J.J. Watt and Purdue's Ryan Kerrigan are likely to be in the conversation.

-- 'HenneGivenSunday' is now on the clock with the Miami Dolphins selection at No. 15.

Round 1

Round 2