2012 Record: 7-8-1, 3rd in NFC West
Head Coach: Jeff Fisher, 7-8-1 record with Rams (150-128-1 record overall)

Current Depth Chart (Updated 2/19/13)

QB - Sam Bradford, Austin Davis
RB - Daryl Richardson, Isaiah Pead, Chase Reynolds
FB - Terrance Ganaway
WR1 - Chris Givens, Nick Johnson, Raymond Radway
WR2 - Brian Quick, Austin Pettis, John Chiles
TE - Lance Kendricks, Matthew Mulligan, Mike McNeill, Cory Harkey, Cameron Graham, Demarco Cosby
LT - Rodger Saffold, Joe Barksdale
LG - Rokevious Watkins
C - Scott Wells
RG - Shelley Smith
RT - Wayne Hunter, Ryan McKee
K - Greg Zuerlein

LDE - Chris Long, Mason Brodine
LDT - Kendall Langford, Matt Conrath, Cornell Banks
RDT - Michael Brockers, John Henderson
RDE - Robert Quinn, Eugene Sims
LOLB - Justin COle, Sammy Brown
MLB - James Laurinaitis, Josh Hull
ROLB - Jo-Lonn Dunbar
LCB - Cortland Finnegan, Trumaine Johnson
RCB - Janoris Jenkins, Kendric Burney
FS - Quintin Mikell, Rodney McLeod
SS - Darian Stewart, Quinton Pointer, Matthew Daniels
P - Johnny Hekker

Unrestricted Free Agents

Offense: QB Kellen Clemens. RB Steven Jackson. WR Danny Amendola. WR Brandon Gibson. WR Steve Smith. OT Barry Richardson. OG Robert Turner. OG Chris Williams.

Defense: DE William Hayes. DT Trevor Laws. LB Mario Haggan. LB Rocky McIntosh. CB Bradley Fletcher. S Craig Dahl

Restricted Free Agents

Offense: RB Chase Reynolds (resigned with Rams. WR Nick Johnson (resigned with Rams). WR Raymond Radway (resigned with Rams). TE Cameron Graham (resigned with Rams). C Tim Barnes. OT Ty Nsekhe (resigned with Rams). OG Brandon Washington (resigned with Rams).

Defense: DT Jermelle Cudjo. LB Justin Cole. LB Jabara Williams

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Transactions

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Offensive Needs

1. Offensive Tackle: The offensive line has somehow managed to get worse the last few years. Rodger Saffold would be better off on the right side, but he is the only player capable of (trying to) protect Sam Bradford's blind side. Wayne Hunter was just as bad as Jason Smith and will be cut. The Rams would love to land Eric Fisher in the draft, but he will be long gone. Lane Johnson could be an option with the Rams first first round pick.

2. Offensive Guard: Guard is just as big of a need as tackle. Robert Turner was decent but is a free agent. Rokevious Watkins played a lot before being lost for the season early. Neither has the upside of someone like Chance Warmack or Jonathan Cooper, two players who could be available in the first round.

3. Wide Receiver: Wideout has long been a sore spot for the Rams, and they could lose their top two wideouts to free agency. My early prediction is that the Patriots will target Danny Amendola to replace Wes Welker. The 25 year old Gibson had his best season, though he remains extremely inconsistent. The Rams will hope that Chris Givens and Brian Quick will continue to develop and give Bradford a few weapons to work with. Slot man Austin Pettis will be first in line to replace Amendola if he departs. I would like to see the Rams use one of their first round picks on a legit number one, but I do not think they go that direction at this time. Titus Young has the talent to contribute but can he suddenly become a team player after sabotaging his way out of Detroit? Unlikely.

2/19/13: WR Titus Young released

4. Tight End: Lance Kendricks had a better second season, but he still hasn't developed into what Rams fans hoped he would. The team could conceivably go after someone like Zach Ertz in the draft, but I think they give Kendricks one more year to improve himself. He improved on his drops and was a good blocker as well as receiver in 2012.

5. Center: Like most of the Rams offensive lineman, Scott Wells missed most of the year due to injury. He was not particularly effective while he was on the field, either. He was signed to a nice extension just a year ago and is solid when healthy. One of the few sure things on the Rams offensive line, he is not going anywhere.

6. Running Back: Long time team leader Steven Jackson could move on, and even if he resigns, he will simply be a part of a rotation that also will include 2012 rookies Daryl Richardson and Isaiah Pead. St. Louis drafted Pead in the second round with the idea that he would be an explosive compliment, but that ended up being sixth rounder Richardson. Richardson is undersized and would be better off as a change of pace back, however.

7. Quarterback: Sam Bradford rebounded from a forgettable 2011 to put forth a good season in 2012. It was pretty much identical to his rookie year, but he showed continued development towards the end of the year, including a 3 touchdown, no interception game against the 49ers. Austin Davis was an undrafted rookie free agent that served as the number two all season.

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Defensive Needs

1. Safety: Safety is clearly the biggest need on defense. Craig Dahl was terrible, and is a free agent anyway.  Quintin Mikell is a solid starter, but he is nearing his mid 30's and is not worth the 6 million he will be owed in 2013. The Rams could be on the lookout for two starting safeties. They would love for Kenny Vaccaro to be there at #16, but if he is not there will be several good safeties available in round two.

2. Defensive Tackle: Michael Brockers came on after a slow start and looks like he could be a fixture in the middle as a strong run stopper who can get to the quarterback on occasion. Kendall Langford was a disappointment during his first season as a 4-3 defensive tackle. He will probably return for at least one more year, but the Rams could use a third or fourth round pick on depth and a potential replacement. The Rams would probably like to resign Jermelle Cudjo as cheap, young depth.

3. Linebacker: The Rams defense has really improved, and it starts with young James Laurinaitis in the middle. He is the heart and soul of the Rams defense, and led the NFL with 117 solo tackles. Jo-Lonn Dunbar had a very solid first season in St. Louis and will be penciled in to the weak side. Nobody the Rams tried on the strong side worked out, however. Someone like Jamie Collins or Chase Thomas could be a solid draft pick in the second or third round.

4. Defensive End: Chris Long and Robert Quinn both hit the double digits in sacks and were strong against the run as well. Both are complete ends who are just entering their prime. Depth is a concern if the team does not bring back William Hayes. Eugene Sims is a huge youngster who played pretty well in spot duty.

5. Cornerback: This position has gone from a weakness to a major strength. Cortland Finnegan was a tremendous free agent signing, and Janoris Jenkins was an absolute steal in the second round. He flashed that top ten ability, and if he can stay out of trouble, has Pro Bowls in his future. Fellow rookie Trumaine Johnson earned valuable experience late in the season and could be a solid nickel back. Bradley Fletcher will move on, meaning the Rams could use a late round pick on a corner.

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Special Teams Needs

Kick Returner: As guys like Isiah Pead, Chris Givens and Janoris Jenkins play bigger roles on offense and defense, their special teams duties will likely shrink. The Rams could draft someone late to handle these duties.

Punter: Johnny Hekker had a decent first year as an undrafted free agent. He has a big time leg and should be much better in 2013.

Kicker: Greg Zuerlein started the season on fire, and every old white announcer loved saying "Young GZ" about 45 times per game. He ended the season very cold, but besides Blair Walsh, he might be the best young kicker in the league.

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Related Posts

1/28/13: 2013 NFL Mock Draft: v 6.0

Rams Draft Picks
Round 1, #16: OG Jonathan Cooper, Sr, North Carolina
Round 1, #22: OLB Dion Jordan, Sr, Oregon
Round 2, #46: WR Tavon Austin, Jr, West Virginia
Round 3, #78: DT Akeem Spence, Jr, Illinois