Hurtin' for: healthy, productive linemen
The biggest stories with the Rams in 2007 were injuries and the resulting horrid play along the offensive line. Overshadowed was the fact that both starting defensive ends got dinged – with Leonard Little missing more than half of the season with a broken toe – and 2007 first-round tackle Adam Carriker suffered a serious shoulder injury in the final game. He's expected back near the beginning of the 2008 season, and Carriker's coach concedes that limited ability to work out in the off-season is bound to leave the nose tackle behind. The only defensive lineman who made it safely through all 16 games, La'Roi Glover, will turn 34 in July and has 12 seasons behind him. The recent signing of former Titans guard Jacob Bell seems to swing the top need slightly more toward the defensive front.

Should be lookin' for: another corner
According to the Football Outsiders, St. Louis ranked 25th in the league against opponents' No. 1 receivers and 21st in the league against their No. 2 guys. On the upside, the Rams ranked fourth in the league against other wideouts, which seems to mean that the addition of one more quality cover man could make a big difference. Former first-rounder Tye Hill missed half of his second season because of injury, so his healthy could potentially help things as well. Fortunately for the Rams, the way this year's corner class stacks up, they could get one of the top prospects at the top of the second round.

Will likely settle for: whatever the talent dictates
St. Louis could use help pretty much anywhere, from more young options at receiver to a backup quarterback with developmental potential, a linebacker or two and a potential replacement for aging strong safety Corey Chavous. The strongest spot appears to easily be running back, where Steven Jackson is backed by second-year players Brian Leonard and Antonio Pittman.


Matt Schauf is a contributing writer for Draft Stock and an associate editor for the Sports Buff Fantasy Network