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Bryan Fischer of NFL.com



As Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk said during NFL Network's broadcast of the draft, Gurley is the whole package at running back and should give the Rams' ground game a huge boost when he gets on the field. Yes, the medical issue will be in the back of everybody's mind, but the Rams landed one of the best tailback prospects to come into the league since Adrian Peterson. Havenstein should set up shop at right tackle, and Brown gives the Rams a solid run blocker. A lot of folks around the league liked Mannion's potential, and he found a good spot in St. Louis.

Bryan Fischer echoes some of the same sentiments I mentioned regarding Gurley.

The medical issues cannot be overlooked, as stated. That said, how can an inept offensive team such as the Rams turn down the opportunity to secure an elite weapon? With St. Louis' already-stout defense, the Rams are instantly a playoff team the second Gurley fulfills his potential.

Since this class was loaded with offensive linemen, the pick made sense. As Fischer mentions, the Rams drafted decent linemen later on. It was a deep class for that position. However, drafting a once-in-a-decade offensive talent is not an option beyond Round 1.

Walter Football on Todd Gurley Pick

I ordinarily wouldn't be a fan of a team drafting a running back in the top 10 of the NFL Draft, but we've spoken to enough teams that were super high on Todd Gurley. In fact, one team considered him to be the next Jim Brown. If it wasn't for his torn ACL, Jacksonville probably would've chosen him at No. 3. Gurley definitely could be considered the top prospect available, so this is a solid choice. However, the need is questionable after Tre Mason looked so good last year. Still, I don't know what the Rams could've done otherwise. They wanted either Ereck Flowers or Brandon Scherff, but both were off the board.



It's true that Tre Mason had an impressive rookie campaign. He has a bright future ahead of him. Still, no team should pass on an elite talent in favor of a "pretty good" talent.



If the Rams adopted that mentality, Kendall Langford would still be a starter in St. Louis and Pro Bowler Aaron Donald would be terrorizing quarterbacks for another lucky team.

Will Brinson and Pete Prisco of CBS Sports

Gurley is an explosive, game-breaking playmaker, but CBSSports.com's Pete Prisco doesn't like the pick, giving it a C+ as a luxury pick of sorts. "I don't think the Rams are in a spot to be able to take a back this high," Prisco said. "But then again it's Jeff Fisher. He loves to run it."

Was it technically a luxury pick for St. Louis since running back was not an immediate need? Yes. Is it unorthodox to draft a back this high? Usually, but not always.

Still, I don't know what it means to say the Rams aren't in a spot to take a guy like Gurley. How can a team that finished 28th in yards per game not be in a spot to take an elite offensive weapon?

Would it have been more convenient to take an average lineman, such as Andrus Peat, and allow the NFC West rival Arizona Cardinals to reap the benefits of Gurley? How exactly would that have done the Rams any favors?

It seems the Rams can draft a Peat-like player any year. The same can't be said for a player of Gurley's caliber.