Top 30 Draft Selections in St. Louis Rams History
Oct 4, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive end Robert Quinn (94) looks on prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
8. Robert Quinn, DE, Round 1, Pick 14 Overall, 2011
Since the Steve Spagnuolo/Billy Devaney administration used their last first-round pick to select Robert Quinn in 2011, the Rams have received multiple years of elite production from the defensive end, who has become arguably the best 4-3 pass rusher in the NFL.
After a relatively quiet rookie season during which he started just one game and recorded five sacks for the year, Quinn was a very impactful performer for the subsequent three seasons. In 2012, he had 10.5 sacks, putting him just behind Chris Long for the team lead in his first season as a primary starter. He had his best year in 2013, finishing second in the NFL with 19 sacks, while also collecting 57 tackles and forcing seven fumbles. He earned his first Pro Bowl berth following the season and was a captain for the league’s newly-formatted “fantasy draft” selection process.
Quinn tailed off a bit in 2014 following an early-season slump, but he rebounded during the latter part of the season, finishing with 10.5 sacks, 46 tackles, five forced fumbles, and a career-high six pass deflections. Perhaps it was based a bit on his reputation from the previous year, but Quinn earned a second straight Pro Bowl appearance at the end of the year.
Whether Quinn, who was limited to seven starts and five sacks during 2015 and now has been placed on injured reserve due to back surgery, will ever be able to recover his previous form is a separate question, and one that’s more of a concern to the front office who decided to give him a six-year, $65 million-dollar contract than fans who are concerned with Quinn’s long-term place in Rams folklore. Seeing as he’s already had two Pro Bowl appearances through five seasons, though, Quinn can already be considered one of the Rams’ best-ever draft selections as a mid-first round pick.
Next: 7. Kevin Carter