The Rams have acquired 26-year old safety Kevin Payne from the Bears for a conditional 7th round pick in 2011 (the Bears get the pick if Payne makes the Rams’ roster).  Payne played in 13 games for the Bears last season and he had 46 tackles and he defensed 5 passes.  He has played in 32 games in his NFL career and he has 136 tackles, 12 passes defensed, 1 sack and 4 interceptions (147 return yards).  This was a outstanding pickup for the Rams as Payne is a pretty solid football player and any time you can get one of those for a 7th round pick you have to do it.

The Rams have selected cornerback Jerome Murphy with the 65th overall pick (3rd round) of the NFL Draft.  Murphy is 6’0″, 191 pounds but he plays big.  He brings a wallop against the running game and he is a riverboat type of gambler against the passing game.  That means that he makes a ton of big plays but he also gives up his fair share.  Murphy played in 13 games (all starts) for the South Florida Bulls last season and he had 77 tackles, broke up 8 passes, he had 4 intercepted, forced 2 fumbles and he has recovered 2 fumbles.  Murphy played in 52 games (25 starts) in his four years with the Bulls in which he made 202 tackles, broke up 18 passes, he had 8 interceptions, forced 4 fumbles and he recovered 3 fumbles.  This was a nice pick for the Rams as Murphy will be starting at corner for them in no time.

The Rams have picked T/G Rodger Saffold out of Indiana with the 33rd overall pick (2nd round) of the NFL Draft.  Saffold is a finesse blocker as he is a much better pass protector than a run blocker.  With that in mind the Rams might kick him inside to guard where he would have more help but at least initially they are going to start him out at tackle.  Saffold is 6’4″, 312 pounds so he could potentially add more bulk to his frame.  He played in 12 games (all starts) at Indiana and 42 games (41 starts) in his four years there.  This was a smart pick for the Rams as Saffold will likely be protecting the franchise (QB Sam Bradford) for a long, long time.

The Rams have selected QB Sam Bradford out of Oklahoma with the first pick of the NFL Draft.  Bradford only played in 3 games (all starts) at Oklahoma last season in which he completed 39 of 69 passes (56.5%) for 562 yards with 2 TD passes and 0 INTs.  Bradford is a tough guy despite missing most of last season due to a shoulder injury which required surgery.  He is a big guy at 6’4″, 220 pounds and his arm is strong enough to make every throw.  It will be interesting to see if the Rams hand him the keys to the car for Week #1 or if he will sit and watch A.J. Feeley for a couple of weeks.  Bradford won the Heisman Trophy in 2008 and he had a stellar career at Oklahoma.  He played in 31 games (all starts) at Oklahoma and he completed 604 of 893 passes (67.6%) for 8,403 yards with 88 TD passes and only 16 interceptions.  Bradford will be the face of the future for the Rams and it could start sooner rather than later.  I like this pick for the Rams but they need to get Bradford a lot of help in this draft.

The Rams are owners of 4 of the top 99 picks in the NFL Draft this weekend and they have 10 picks overall.  The Rams have needs at QB, WR, DT, OLB and RB and they will likely to be able to fill a lot of those needs this weekend.  But the focus will be on Sam Bradford of Oklahoma.  The Rams are going to select him unless they can find a suitable trade partner before there 15 minutes are up on the clock tonight.

PROJECTED FIRST ROUND PICK:  QB, Sam Bradford, Oklahoma

The Rams have signed six free agents who all will have a chance to help them in some capacity in 2010.  Offensively the Rams have brought in QB A.J. Feeley, C/G Hank Fraley and TE Darcy Johnson.  Feeley could be the starting QB for the Rams in 2010 based on what they do with the first pick in the draft.  I know that some teams have been calling them about the pick.  Hank Fraley will likely start at guard for the Rams in 2010.  Johnson will likely be a backup at TE but he has a nice upside.  DT Fred Robbins and LB Na’il Diggs will likely both be starters in 2010 and they will bring toughness and veteran know how to the D.  CB Kevin Dockery projects as a nickel back because of his lack of size.  I like what the Rams are doing and it will be interesting to see what they do this weekend to add to the team’s talent pool.

The Rams have traded 25-year old DT Adam Carriker and a fifth round pick (acquired from the Eagles) to the Redskins for a 5th round pick.  Carriker did not play last season for the Rams due to injury.  The former first round pick played in 31 games in his career with the Rams in which he made 53 tackles, defensed 1 pass and he had 2 sacks.  The Rams were likely happy to get anything for Carriker who was a huge bust for them.  Good riddance.

The Rams have signed 31-year old linebacker Na’il Diggs.  Diggs played in 14 games for the Panthers last season in which he made 38 tackles, three tackles for a loss, 1 forced fumble and he defensed 1 pass.  Diggs has now played in 145 games in his NFL career in which he has made 598 tackles, defensed 29 passes, has 11.5 sacks, he has forced 3 fumbles and he has 5 interceptions.  This was a good signing for the Rams who need a lot of help on defense.