For one, maybe the wide receiver corps is better than given credit for and a little more patience is needed. There’s just one season to judge Austin and Bailey (class of 2013), and only two years to judge Quick and Chris Givens (class of ‘12.)

Future Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, for example, didn’t have a 1,000-yard receiving season until 1999 — his fourth year in the league, with Indianapolis.

One veteran NFL scout, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said the current Rams receiver corps is better as a group than his team’s group. (His team, by the way, is not picking in the top 10.)

“With Bailey and Austin, you probably have enough (talent), if they are established guys,” Lande said. “But at this point you don’t know.”

Also to be factored in is the fact that backup quarterback (Kellen Clemens) was throwing to them for nine of the 16 games last season because of Sam Bradford’s knee injury. For all the good things Clemens did, the wide receiver starts were deflated to a degree with him at QB.

So it goes back to the question of how much do you invest in the position, particularly with a run-first offense, a defensive-oriented head coach and needs at several other positions.