NFL Draft History: Rams’ top picks feature dominant offensive and defensive linemen
Many of the Rams’ greatest players, especially at the offensive skill positions, came to the team via trade or free agency. However, the franchise found plenty of talented players in the Draft, especially on the offensive and defensive lines. The Rams will not have a first-round pick this year after trading their to the Jaguars for cornerback Jalen Ramsey, but their list of best picks shows that you don’t need to have a high pick to find a top player.
BEST
10. (tie) Elroy Hirsch, End (Round 1, Pick 5 in 1945) and Norm Van Brocklin, QB (Round 4, Pick 37 in 1949) - Two of the team’s early offensive stars earn spots in the top 10. While at Wisconsin, Hirsch was given the nickname “Crazy Legs” for his unusual, leg-twisting running style. Hirsch joined the Marines and transferred to Michigan, where he became a four-sport star, leading the Wolverines to Big Ten championships in basketball, track and baseball while the football team went 8-1 in 1943. Instead of playing for the Rams, who drafted him in 1945, he suited up for the Chicago Rockets of the All-America Football Conference instead. Hirsch was a star, but the Rockets were a bad team, and he missed most of the 1948 season when he was kicked in the head during the game and fractured his skull. Hirsch finally reported to the Rams in 1949, and he earned three Pro Bowl and two All-Pro selections with the club. In Los Angeles’ 1951 championship season, Hirsch finished second to Browns quarterback Otto Graham in the NFL MVP voting after leading the league with 66 receptions, an NFL record 1,495 yards and 17 touchdowns (which tied the record at the time). He ranks third in Rams history with 53 scores and fourth with 6,299 yards. After he retired in 1957, Hirsch spent 10 seasons as the Rams general manager, then 19 as Wisconsin’s athletic director. A Hall of Famer and NFL100 member, Hirsch passed away in 2004.
After serving three years in the Navy, Van Brocklin played at Oregon, where he earned All-American honors in 1948. He fell in the Draft because he had been unsure whether he wanted to come back to Oregon for his senior season, but the Rams selected him in the fourth round. Los Angeles featured a high-powered attack that included receivers Hirsch and Tom Fears, and the team split quarterbacking duties between Van Brocklin and Bob Waterfield. The Rams set a record by averaging 38.8 points per game in 1950 (which still stands), and won the title the following year. In the first game of the 1951 season, Van Brocklin set an NFL record by throwing for 554 yards in a 54-14 win over the New York Yanks, a mark that still stands 69 years later. Overall, the Hall of Famer went to six Pro Bowls with Los Angeles. He briefly retired after the 1957 season, but changed his mind and came back to the Rams, who traded him to the Eagles the following year. Van Brocklin won NFL MVP honors and led Philadelphia to a title two years later in what turned out to be his final season. After his playing career, he became the head coach of two expansion teams, leading the Vikings to a 29-51-4 record from 1961-66 and posting a 37-49-3 mark with the Falcons from 1968-74. Van Brocklin passed away after suffering a heart attack in 1983.
9. Torry Holt, WR (Round 1, Pick 6 in 1999) - Holt was an All-American and the ACC Player of the Year in 1998 at North Carolina State. He was a member of the All-Rookie Team the following year in his rookie season, and showed the first glimpse of his nickname, “Big Game” after he had seven catches for 109 yards and a touchdown in St. Louis’ 23-16 win over the Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV. In 2000, Holt led the league with 1,635 yards, marking the first of eight straight 1,000-yard seasons. The seven-time Pro Bowler also topped the NFL with 1,696 yards in 2003, when he earned his only All-Pro honor. Holt ranks second in Rams history with 869 receptions, 12,660 yards and 74 touchdowns. He signed with the Jaguars in 2009, but retired a year later after knee surgery. Since his playing career ended, Holt has worked as a high school football coach and an NFL analyst.
8. Tom Mack, G (Round 1, Pick 2 in 1966) - Mack was the son of former Cleveland Indians second baseman, Ray Mack. The younger Mack attended Michigan, where he earned All-Big Ten honors in 1965. He played all 184 games over 13 seasons at left guard with the Rams, and was an 11-time Pro Bowler and 1969 All-Pro. Los Angeles won its division eight times, but a controversial false start penalty against Mack cost the Rams a win against the Vikings in the 1974 NFC Championship Game. He retired in 1978 and was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999. After his playing career, Mack worked as an engineer.
7. (tie) Jackie Slater, T (Round 3, Pick 86 in 1976) and Orlando Pace, T (Round 1, Pick 1 in 1997) - Slater, a teammate of Walter Payton at Jackson State, went on to have one of the longest tenured careers in NFL history. He played in 259 career games during the regular season and 18 more in the playoffs, including four NFC Championship Games. Slater is one of just three players in league history to play at least 20 seasons with one team (along with Redskins cornerback Darrell Green and Lions kicker Jason Hanson). After retiring in 1995, he spent one year (2006) as a Raiders offensive line coach and he held the same position at Azusa Pacific University from 2011-18. The seven-time Pro Bowler was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001. His son, Matthew, is an eight-time Pro Bowler as a special teams player with the Patriots.
Pace was a high school All-American who also earned two All-American and Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year awards (1995-96) at Ohio State. He won the Outland Trophy as best offensive lineman in 1996, and finished third in the Heisman voting, which was won by Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel. The Jets traded the top pick in the 1997 Draft to the Rams for four selections, including the sixth pick, and St. Louis took Pace, who earned seven straight Pro Bowl selections from 1999 to 2005 and was a three-time All-Pro. He missed eight games after tearing his triceps in 2006, and played just one game the following year after suffering a serious shoulder injury. Pace signed with the Bears in 2009 but was released after one season. He was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016.
6. Jack Youngblood, DE (Round 1, Pick 20 in 1971) - During his time at Florida, Youngblood was part of a group of players who tested Gatorade, a new sports drink created by a team of doctors led by Robert Cade. He was an All-American in 1970, and was known for his skills as a pass rusher. Youngblood spent his entire 14-year career with the Rams, earning seven Pro Bowl and five All-Pro selections. While sacks were not an official statistic until 1982, Youngblood unofficially totaled a career-high 18 in 1979, leading the Rams to the NFC Championship Game. Overall, he is credited with 151½ sacks, including eight seasons with 10 or more and 24 in his final three seasons (1982-84). The defensive end was an iron man, playing in 202 of 203 regular season games in his career before retiring in 1985. An executive, analyst, author and businessman after his career, Youngblood was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.
5. Eric Dickerson, RB (Round 1, Pick 2 in 1983) - Known for his goggles (which he wore because of nearsightedness), Dickerson was an All-American and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1982 (behind Herschel Walker and John Elway). His 4,450 yards at Southern Methodist broke Earl Campbell’s Southwest Conference record. Dickerson was Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1983, when he set rookie records with 1,808 rushing yards (which led the NFL) and 18 touchdowns. In 1984, he set the league’s all-time rushing record with 2,105 yards and also had a league-high 14 scores, but the MVP Award went to Dan Marino instead. Dickerson was a Pro Bowler, an All-Pro and the Offensive Player of the Year in 1986 after leading the league with 1,821 yards. However, perennial contract disputes caused the Rams to trade him to the Colts after the third game in 1987. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards three times with Indianapolis and led the NFL with 1,659 in 1988. He was later traded to the Raiders, then to the Falcons and Packers, but he failed his physical with Green Bay and retired in 1993. Dickerson was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999. He currently is an analyst for FS1 and owns a memorabilia company.
4. Aaron Donald, DT (Round 1, Pick 13 in 2014) - Donald’s 2013 season at Pittsburgh included enough awards to pack a trophy case: All-American, ACC Defensive Player of the Year, first-team All-ACC, Outland Trophy (best interior lineman), Lombardi Award (best overall lineman), Bednarik Award (best defensive player) and Nagurski Trophy (best defensive player according to the writers). In six seasons with the Rams, Donald has been to the Pro Bowl every year and earned All-Pro honors the past five seasons. He was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2014 and a two-time Defensive Player of the Year in 2017 and ’18. In 2018, he led the NFL with 20½ sacks. Donald ranks third in team history with 72 sacks and he ranks fourth with 15 forced fumbles.
3. Isaac Bruce, WR (Round 2, Pick 33 in 1994) – Bruce transferred from Santa Monica College to Memphis as a junior in 1992, and the following year he set a school record with 74 catches. In 1995, he posted numbers that are more common in today’s game: 1,781 yards (second in NFL history at the time to Jerry Rice, who had 1,848 that year), 119 catches (fourth in the league) and 13 touchdowns (tied for sixth). Despite the stats, he was not selected to the Pro Bowl. Bruce did earn that honor in 1996, when he led the NFL with 1,338 yards. Overall, he had eight 1,000-yard seasons and four Pro Bowl selections. Bruce’s totals of 942 receptions, 14,109 yards and 84 scores all are the best in franchise history. “The Reverend” had six catches for 162 yards and a touchdown as St. Louis’ “Greatest Show on Turf” squad defeated Tennessee in Super Bowl XXXIV. Bruce signed with San Francisco in 2008 and spent two years with the 49ers. He was the last member left from the team’s original tenure in Los Angeles when he retired in 2010. Bruce will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.
2. Merlin Olsen, DT (Round 1, Pick 3 in 1962) - The Rams of the late 1990s and early 2000s had the “Greatest Show on Turf” offense, while the 1960s team had the “Fearsome Foursome” defense. Olsen was the 1961 Outland Trophy winner and was also a two-time All-American (1960 and ’61) at Utah State. He chose the Rams over the Broncos, who selected him second in the AFL Draft in 1962. Olsen played 15 seasons, all with Los Angeles. He holds the record with 14 Pro Bowl selections, was a five-time All-Pro, earned NFL Rookie of the Year honors in 1962 and played in 208 of a possible 210 games. Joined by Deacon Jones, Rosey Grier and Lamar Lundy, the defensive line terrorized opposing quarterbacks. Later in his career, Olsen helped the Rams win four straight NFC West titles and reach the NFC Championship game three times, with his last appearance coming in the 1976 title contest. After his playing career, Olsen was an NFL analyst and an actor, including a starring role in the NBC show, Father Murphy. The 1982 Pro Football Hall of Famer died in 2010.
1. Deacon Jones, DE (Round 14, Pick 186 in 1961) - Ask a fan who the greatest defensive player in NFL history is and you will get a variety of answers. Lawrence Taylor, Reggie White, and Ray Lewis will all get votes, but in terms of intimidation and production, none were better than David “Deacon” Jones. His low draft status came because South Carolina revoked his scholarship after he participated in a Civil Rights protest, but he finished his college career at Mississippi Vocational College (now called Mississippi Valley State) and was starting by the end of his rookie season with the Rams. With Los Angeles, Jones was selected to seven straight Pro Bowls and five straight All-Pro teams. In 1971, he missed four games with a sprained arch in his foot, and was traded to the Chargers the following year. After two years in San Diego, he spent his final NFL season with Washington in 1974. Although sacks were not an NFL statistic until 1982, Jones was credited with an unofficial total of 173½, which was the most in league history at the time. The leader of the “Fearsome Foursome,” he had 22 in 1964 and ’68, as well as 21½ in 1967. He was an actor, analyst, and spokesperson after his playing career. Jones suffered from lung cancer and heart disease later in life and passed away in 2013. His name is now on the award given to the player who leads the NFL in sacks.
WORST
10. Terry Baker, QB (Round 1, Pick 1 in 1963) - Baker was an All-American, the Heisman Trophy winner and the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year in 1962 at Oregon State, which included a 99-yard run against Villanova in the Liberty Bowl. Baker started one game at quarterback as a rookie before converting to running back for his final two seasons with the Rams. After his playing career, he earned a degree from USC Law School and was a founding partner of Tonkon Torp, one of the largest law firms in Portland, Oregon.
9. Eric Crouch, QB/WR (Round 3, Pick 95 in 2002) - Crouch was the 2001 Heisman Trophy winner and a two-time Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year at Nebraska. He was a dual-threat quarterback, throwing for 4,481 yards and rushing for 3,434 in four years with the Cornhuskers. Told he was too small to play quarterback, the Rams moved him to wide receiver. After a hit during a preseason game caused him to need blood drained from his leg, he left the team. He signed with the Chiefs in 2005 and played safety with NFL Europe’s Hamburg Sea Devils, but he never played a regular-season down in the NFL. Crouch played quarterback for the 2006 season with the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL, and he tried to latch on with the All-American Football League and the United Football League, but both failed and his playing career ended in 2012. Since retiring, Crouch has been a college football analyst and a recreation equipment vendor.
8. Jesse James, C (Round 2, Pick 62 in 1995) - The Rams were looking for a little competition for center Bern Brostek, who appeared in 10 games in 1994. Instead, the Mississippi State product played just two games in two NFL seasons. Longtime NFL starting centers Dave Wohlabaugh and Frank Garcia, as well as guard Adam Timmerman, were available for St. Louis at this spot.
7. Isaiah Pead, RB (Round 2, Pick 50 in 2012) - Pead ran for 3,288 yards and 27 touchdowns with the University of Cincinnati. The Rams hoped he would be Steven Jackson’s backup, but injuries ruined his NFL career. Pead was used primarily as a kick returner his first two seasons, and missed 2014 after suffering a torn ACL. He was released by St. Louis two games into the 2015 season, but after signing with the Steelers, he tore his MCL. Pead signed with the Dolphins for 2016, but played just three games before his career came to an end. In November, he was involved in a car accident in which a tire blew out, causing his Cadillac to run through a metal guardrail, go airborne and strike several trees as it went down the embankment. Pead lost his left leg in the accident, but he is training to be a sprinter in the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
6. Tye Hill, CB (Round 1, Pick 15 in 2006) - Hill was a star in both football and track at Clemson, earning All-American honors in 2005. He was an All-Rookie Team member after posting three interceptions and 56 tackles. However, his next two seasons ended with him on injured reserve (back in injury in 2006 and torn knee cartilage the following year). After a year each with the Falcons and Lions, Hill retired in 2010. He now coaches youth football camps in South Carolina.
5. Trung Canidate, RB (Round 1, Pick 31 in 2000) - Coming off a win over the Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV, the Rams used their late pick to select Canidate, who had set a record at Arizona (since passed) with 3,626 rushing yards. He was supposed to be a backup to Marshall Faulk, who had just won his first of three straight Offensive Player of the Year awards but instead, Canidate had more kick return yards (945) than rushing yards (495) in his three seasons with St. Louis. After being traded to the Redskins, he posted 600 rushing yards in 2003, but was released after Washington traded for Clinton Portis. Canidate is a trainer and track coach in the Phoenix area.
4. Adam Carriker, DT (Round 1, Pick 13 in 2007) - Carriker was a two-time All-Big 12 selection with Nebraska in 2005 and ’06. Despite switching from defensive end to tackle, he was the Rams’ top rookie after posting two sacks and 32 tackles while starting all 16 games in 2007. Carriker regressed in 2008, and missed the following year with a shoulder injury. He was then traded to the Redskins in 2010, and amassed seven sacks and 71 tackles in three seasons. Carriker suffered a torn quad tendon in a 2012 game against the Rams, which resulted in three knee surgeries and ultimately ended his career. Since his playing days, he has made radio and television appearances as a business, political and sports analyst, and he is also a motivational speaker.
3. Greg Robinson, T (Round 1, Pick 2 in 2014) - An All-SEC honoree in 2013, Robinson became the highest Auburn offensive lineman ever selected in the NFL Draft. He started 42 games in three years with the Rams, but was penalized 35 times, including 20 for holding. Robinson was traded to the Lions in 2017, but was cut after starting six games. He signed with the Browns, where he spent the past two years. In February, he was arrested in Texas for trying to transport more than 150 pounds of marijuana from Los Angeles to Louisiana. Robinson and ex-Colts wide receiver Quan Bray each face up to 20 years if convicted of drug charges. Future Pro Bowlers Jake Matthews (sixth) and Taylor Lewan (11th) were both first-round selections the Rams could have taken instead.
2. Jason Smith, T (Round 1, Pick 2 in 2009) - Smith was an All-Big 12 honoree at Baylor in 2008. He was expected to replace future Hall of Fame left tackle Orlando Pace, who had signed with the Chicago Bears, but he was injury-prone. He appeared in eight games as a rookie before a concussion ended his season. Smith started 15 games in 2010, but lost 10 games due to another concussion the following year. He was traded to the Jets in 2012 and spent one year in New York, but had unsuccessful tryouts with the Saints and Jets the following year and retired. Smith has since found a new passion in rodeo team roping.
1. Lawrence Phillips, RB (Round 1, Pick 6 in 1996) - Phillips had tremendous talent in college, earning All-Big Eight honors at Nebraska after an 1,826-yard, 16-touchdown season in 1994 and helping the Cornhuskers win the National Championship the following season. However, he was arrested twice for assault, including one where he dragged his ex-girlfriend down a flight of stairs. Nebraska coach Tom Osborne supported Phillips, and the Rams selected the volatile running back sixth overall in 1996. He lasted just 25 games in St. Louis, rushing for 1,265 yards and 12 scores before alcohol issues caused the Rams to release him. He signed with the Dolphins, where he spent two games in 1997, and after a year with the Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europe, the 49ers gave him a chance. He lasted just eight games before he clashed with coaches and was released. Off-field issues continued to plague Phillips even as he went to Canada. Despite rushing for 1,022 yards in 2002, the Montreal Alouettes released him after he was charged with sexual assault. He went to Calgary, but was released after several arguments with Stampeders coaches.
Phillips was convicted of two more assault charges in 2005 and ’09. The latter incident included bodily injury, false imprisonment and auto theft involving his ex-girlfriend and resulted in a 31-year sentence. While he was in prison, Phillips’ cellmate, Damion Soward, the cousin of former Jaguars wide receiver R. Jay Soward, died in the cell. Before he could be tried for first-degree murder in Soward’s death, Phillips was found dead in January 2016 in a suspected suicide. His family donated his brain to be examined for concussion-related research.
All statistics and awards courtesy of https://www.pro-football-reference.com/ and https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/
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