2014 NFL Draft: St. Louis Rams Select Maurice Alexander in Fourth Round

Nov 23, 2013; Logan, UT, USA; Colorado State Rams quarterback Garrett Grayson (18) runs by Utah State Aggies safety Maurice Alexander (5) during the third quarter at Romney Stadium. Utah State Aggies won 13-0. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

The St. Louis Rams have made their first selection on Day 3 of the 2014 NFL Draft, taking Utah State safety Maurice Alexander with the 10th pick of the fourth round, 110th overall. Alexander was not a guy most people would have expected to go this high, and the Rams selecting him in the fourth round was certainly a surprise considering that most thought they would take a quarterback, but he makes some sense nonetheless.

Alexander will likely push for a starting safety spot immediately, and he fills a major area of need after the Rams let go of Darian Stewart and Matt Giordano this offseason. In addition, Alexander provides a very strong local connection, hailing from Eureka High School in St. Louis. That may have helped him out, since the Rams were allowed to conducted a private workout with him that didn’t count towards their allowance.

The strongest thing to worry about with Alexander would have to be his character concerns. Alexander had to attend junior college before arriving at Utah State, and after getting there was kicked off the team in 2012 following an incident in which he assaulted a teammate at a party and was ordered to spend 45 days in jail. Fortunately, the Rams have done a good job of steering other players with character issues in the right direction after selecting them during the past few years.