Why the Rams Should Draft Ndamukong Suh

One of the most highly debated topics around draft time is what should you draft for: the best player available or need. In this season's draft, we have a classic example of this dilemma facing the St.Louis Rams. Ndamukong Suh is the best player in this draft, but Sam Bradford fits their biggest need. I am firmly in the BPA and Suh camps on this issue, but lets discuss why the Rams should take Suh.

When rebuilding an NFL franchise, you need to add talent through out your team, not just at QB. The smartest way to do this is by building your team from the inside out. St. Louis has made progress the last few years upfront, with Jason Smith and Jason Brown on offense, and Adam Cariker, and Chris Long upfront defensively, but, the addition of Suh to an already solid group defensively could give the Rams one of the best defensive lines in football (if Long continues to improve). We're not talking about some average DT here with Suh, we're talking about a possible all pro player who could become the best defensive player in football. Suh can anchor against the run and get a push in the pass rush. This will keep blockers off your linebackers and allow your outside pass rushers to get single teams. Suh could make the players around him better.

I' m a huge Sam Bradford fan, but he is a risky pick. He played in the spread offense in college, missed almost all of last year due to injury, has not dealt with a pass rush behind a great offensive line (other then the play where he separated his shoulder against BYU), and some scouts question his arm strength. He is not a can't miss QB prospect. I certainly believe he could become an elite NFL QB, he has top notch accuracy, poise, intelligence, and leadership, but he has a much, much greater bust potential then Suh.

One of the biggest gripes with Rams fans is that they continue passing up top Qbs in the first round. In 2006, they traded their 1st round pick to the Broncos, which they used to draft Jay Cutler. In 2008 they passed on Matt Ryan and last year they passed on Mark Sanchez. Their fans don't want them to pass up a QB again, so that has them begging for Bradford. If they bring Bradford in, he will likely sit his first year anyway, and they will be picking very high again next year. If Bradford starts, they will be picking high next year. If they add Suh they will draft high next year. The point is, they have a long way to go before being competitive again, and they need to build the general talent level of the team, and not just at the QB position.

Since I think St. Louis will be picking very high in the 2011 draft, there is a good chance a top QB will be available next year. Jake Locker, who would have been the top QB in this year's draft, may fall into the Rams laps next year. As I said, Locker most likely would have been the top QB this year, so most people believe he is better then Bradford. Bradford likely will not contribute right away, and Locker would most likely be able to do so in 2011. So whether you draft Bradford or Locker, you most likely will not get a contribution until 2011. If they take Bradford, there will not be a player of Suh's ability available next year. If they are patient with their QB situation, I think it would be the better decision. They may take a lot of heat initially, but they could reap the benefits of it in the future.

This scenario comes with a big risk though. If they don't end up with Locker, it could get ugly. The only other QB who is projected to go in next year's first round is Ryan Mallet, and if the Rams have say, the 10th pick, they could end up stuck in a lake with out a paddle. In many ways, this reminds me of what New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman did in the off season following the 2007 season. With the Yankees in need of an ace, and one of the top pitchers in baseball (Johan Santana) on the trade block, fans and media types alike, thought this was a match made in baseball heaven. Cashman decided to hold on to his young players, because he knew another ace was on the free agent market the following year in CC Sabathia. This was a big risk, Sabathia could have signed an extension with the Cleveland Indians, or could have signed any where else, but he ended up with the Yankees, and they won the World Series with Sabathia and the young players they held on to (Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera). I'm not saying Suh and Locker will result in a championship, I'm just saying sometimes patience works out for the best.

If all goes as planed, they will end up with Ndamukong Suh and Jake Locker in 2011. Other wise, they'll end up with Sam Bradford and let's say a Marvin Austin or Chris Gallipo or something like that. I think the first group is much better. One scenario which, as unlikely as it is, is possible, is Jimmy Clausen free falling through the draft, and possibly ending up being available for the Rams with the 33rd overall pick. The Rams could also trade back into the first round to get him if necessary, and this would be an almost identical situation to Clausen's predecessor Brady Quinn.