The Rams Have to Go (Jake) Long - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

The Rams have a lot of needs -- receiver, linebacker, safety, and corner, but the team's two most glaring needs come in the trenches. With the second selection and three various lineman expected to go within the first five, they'll get someone to immediately help on either line. Assuming they don't trade down.

Let's guess that Glenn Dorsey is the top selection, though a lot can certainly change. That leaves the Rams to choose between defensive end Chris Long and offensive tackle Jake Long. And though Rams fans are pining for Chris, it's the "boring" pick in Jake that the Rams need to make.

Yeah, the team's defensive ends are hurting. The team finished 21st in sacks with 31, and starting ends Leonard Little and James Hall combined for just three. With their ages next year, 33 and 31, iends are a genuine need. However, you can find quality at that position later or in free agency and in a pinch they could move Adam Carriker out.

Now consider Orlando Pace. At 32 and having played just one in the last 24, Pace's long-term availability is in question, and his absence has been way more than noticeable. The Rams will soon lose a franchise tackle; it's not like those guys grow on trees practice squads. Jake isn't quite the prospect Joe Thomas was a year ago, but he's not far behind either. He can step in immediately for Pace should something happen and anchor the line for years.

And if Pace stays healthy, Long can battle it out with right tackle Alex Barron for that job. If nothing else, they'll have much better depth on the line, the lack of which pretty much ended their season before it began. As an offensive team after this year's mess of injuries, the Rams would be crazy not to pick the tackle.