1.08 Tampa Bay Meat Goats — RB Isaiah Pead

In the real world: The burning question in St. Louis is this: Is Pead a long-term successor to Steven Jackson, or a speedy, pass-catching complement to the veteran bellcow? He doesn't have elite elusiveness but is quick and shows good vision setting up blocks. Versatile, quick, undersized (5'10”, 193), could be a third-down/change-of-pace back. Adam Schefter says the Rams do envision him as that long-term successor to Jackson. NFL Films guru Greg Cosell calls Pead a "dynamic and decisive north-south runner," and said there were some similarities to Jamaal Charles coming out of college.

In the TUFF world: The Meat Goats took a chance on talented but injury-prone DeMarco Murray last year in their ongoing efforts to rebuild their backfield. And just when it looked like a really good pick—Murray's job situation turned from a crappy one into a great one with Marion Barber III and Tashard Choice gone and Felix Jones continuing to underwhelm—boom, Murray's history of injuries reared its ugly head (in the form of a broken ankle in Week 14). Even before that, he looked like he had hit a wall (Weeks 11-13: 3.35 yards per carry). So, for the third year running, Paul Granholm has used the 1.08 pick on a running back. And to be fair, they have to rebuild their depth at running back considering that two years ago, Clinton Portis' wheels fell off and Knowshon Moreno became an injury-prone disappointment. But given the Rams' front-office foibles in recent years—for example, they cut Laurent Robinson, who went on to star in Dallas last year—I don't buy into any claim that the Rams think of him as Jackson's long-term replacement. To me, he profiles as a third-down back.