Top 30 Draft Selections in St. Louis Rams History

Nov 2, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans nose tackle Ryan Pickett (94) reacts during the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

11. Ryan Pickett, DT, Round 1, Pick 29 Overall, 2001

At 6-foot-2 and (allegedly) 310 pounds, Ryan Pickett was never the type of defensive tackle who was going to provide Aaron Donald-like pass rushing production from the interior. If you were looking for a stout run defender to plug up the middle, however, there were few options better than Pickett.

After being part of the Rams’ defensive tackle rotation during their Super Bowl runner-up season in 2001, Pickett started 59 games over his next four seasons and was a highly disruptive 1-technique nose tackle. In 2002, his best year with the Rams, Pickett played in all 16 games and recorded an impressive 67 total tackles, half a sack, and four defended passes.

Over five seasons with the Rams, Pickett amassed a total of 238 total tackles, six sacks, 12 passes defended, and a forced fumble. He would depart in free agency after 2005 and spend the next eight seasons with the Green Bay Packers, showing incredible versatility while playing defensive tackle in a 4-3 defense and both nose tackle and end in a 3-4 during the course of his Packers career. Pickett would also play 13 games for the Houston Texans in 2014 during the final season of his NFL career.

Pickett didn’t put up spectacular measurable stats during his career with the Rams, but he made an impact on some great teams. The fact that he played 14 NFL seasons, seeing action in at least 11 games every year, only adds to his cause as the 11th-best selection in St. Louis Rams history.

Next: 10. Chris Long