NFL Mock Draft, Pick 33: Rams Select Everson Griffen, DE USC

The 33rd pick is in and SB Nation's Rams community, Turf Show Times, has selected...

USC DE Everson Griffen

From Turf Show Times:

Griffen possesses elite talent. The knock on him by draftniks has been whether or not he has the motivation to play his best from game-to-game and play-to-play. However, Rams' head coach Steve Spagnuolo and his defensive coordinator Ken Flajole were able to push Chris Long to the next level and squeeze out every last drop of motivation and talent from their players, most of whom came off the street as fill-ins for injured starters and an organizational history of failed drafts.

From Mocking The Draft:

At first, I was pretty surprised by the pick considering the wide receivers on the board. But then it made sense. There will be plenty of wide receivers still around in the later rounds the team could go after. However, there won't be a pass rusher of Griffen's caliber. Also, it's hard to see head coach Steve Spagnuolo not selecting a pass rusher in this draft and Griffen is a good one.

Arguably, the two most important positions on a football field are quarterback and pass rusher. The Rams addressed the quarterback with their first pick and now they set their sights on a pass rusher in Everson Griffen.

Receiver is a major consideration here as well. You've spent all this money on a new quarterback and he needs toys. However, Steve Spagnuolo comes from a defensive background so it's hard to see him passing up a good pass rusher like Griffen.

Read the full write-up at Mocking The Draft.