2015 NFL Draft: St. Louis Rams Select Wisconsin OT Rob Havenstein in Second Round
After trading down to the Carolina Panthers’ pick at 57th overall, the St. Louis Rams used their second-round selection in the 2015 NFL Draft to take Wisconsin offensive tackle Rob Havenstein. The 6-foot-7, 321-pounder may have a better chance than anyone at filling the mold of the massive right tackle that Jeff Fisher has been trying to find since he arrived in 2012. Late draft picks and waiver pickups such as Ty Nsekhe, Sean Hooey, Mitchell Van Dyk, and Steven Baker, all of whom were at least 6-foot-7, have been brought in and developed to no avail.
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Havenstein, who arrived at Wisconsin at over 380 pounds, has done a great job of slimming down during his college career and the pre-draft process, as he played his senior season around 330 and dropped another 10 pounds or so before the combine. He’s started every game since his sophomore year at right tackle for the Badgers and has been an important factor in running backs Melvin Gordon and Montee Ball achieving so much collegiate success with at Wisconsin.
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It’s possible that the Rams could have interest in using Havenstein at guard, but more likely than not this pick probably signals the end of incumbent right tackle Joe Barksdale‘s career in St. Louis. Barksdale, who had been the starter at the position since Rodger Saffold went down with an injury near the start of the 2013 season, hit unrestricted free agency in March and still does not have a contract for the 2015 season. According to the Rams’ front office, Barksdale may have overestimated his worth at the start of free agency.
Next: Mizzou's Mitch Morse Selected by Kansas City Chiefs in Second Round