Rams ready to sort through bevy of receivers at combine

Rams ready to sort through bevy of receivers at combine

By VINCENT BONSIGNORE / STAFF COLUMNIST

INDIANAPOLIS – The wide receivers finally made it to Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday for their on-field workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine. All 58 of them, which is an extraordinary amount of prospects and typifies the heavy emphasis these days on throwing the ball.

Inside the stadium, the Rams scouting and coaching contingency watched intently, wide receiver being such a significant need and, based on how many of them the Rams requested formal interviews with and reach out to informally, this week a particular point of focus this week.

And not just here, either.

The opening of free agency on Monday is expected to offer a slew of interesting possibilities, and the Rams appear poised to be active as new head coach Sean McVay begins building the offense to his specifications.

“We’re confident that we know that market and who, in that market, fits Sean the most,” said Rams general manager Les Snead.

Depending on how aggressive they are next week – and there are strong indications they’ll at least kick the tires on a group that should include Washington’s DeSean Jackson, Cleveland’s Terrelle Pryor, Chicago’s Alshon Jeffery, Washington’s Pierre Garcon – the Rams’ receiver need might not be as compelling as it is right now.

Nevertheless, the Rams at their core are a draft and development organization, so ideally some long-range answers to a position that’s befuddled them for years were on the field Saturday.

Armed with the 37th overall pick in next month’s draft – and eight picks total across the second and seventh rounds – good chance one or two of them might be getting a call from McVay and Snead eventually.

Their draft position eliminates them from consideration for the top prospects – Clemson’s Mike Williams, Western Michigan’s Corey Davis and Washington’s Johnson Ross – but they’re well situated to tap into the next wave. And history shows impact receivers can be found beyond the first round.

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