2015 NFL Mock Draft: Post-Super Bowl Edition

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10. St. Louis Rams- Josue Matias, OG, Florida State

The St. Louis Rams have Marcus Mariota available for the taking here, but should they pull the trigger and select the Oregon quarterback? We’re already seeing personnel evaluators around the league question Mariota’s ability to be a year one starter, and if he can’t contribute in 2015, it doesn’t make sense for the Rams to spend the 10th pick on him when there are bigger needs to address.

With veterans Jake Long and Davin Joseph likely done in St. Louis, another big need will be on the offensive line. Right tackle Joe Barksdale also could depart in free agency, which could change things, but for now we’ll assume that he’s going to re-sign, which would make guard the biggest need.

The Rams could attempt to do the trendy thing, which seems to be converting college left tackles to guard following the success of Zack Martin and Joel Bitonio in 2014.  Those guys clearly had skill sets that made them more attractive at guard in the NFL, though. This year, people seem to be eager to project LSU’s La’El Collins inside simply because he played the position earlier in his college career, while they believe that Iowa’s Brandon Scherff will have his poor pass-blocking technique masked if he plays on the interior.

Instead of trying to move a tackle to guard like they did with Greg Robinson in 2014, the Rams should do what makes the most sense for them, which would be selecting Matias. The Dominican native fits the profile of a typical Rams guard at 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds, and he’s a mauler who would fit perfectly in the Rams’ run-heavy offense. Frankly, the Rams are probably best served trying to trade down, as Matias isn’t widely regarded as a Top 10 player, but if no one is willing to swap first-rounders, they should go ahead and take the player that fits them best.

Next: 11. Minnesota Vikings