Rams continue to look at O-line prospects

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/professional/rams-continue-to-look-at-o-line-prospects/article_e5c1480f-836f-5f5c-8f0e-e45116040b9f.html
Rams continue to look at O-line prospects
11 hours ago • By Jim Thomas

Three guard prospects were on hand Tuesday at Rams Park as the team continues to kick the tires on several offensive line prospects. Paying pre-draft visits were Ali Marpet of Hobart, Tre Jackson of Florida State, and Jamil Douglas of Arizona State.

Marpet is the NCAA Division III phenom from Hobart who gained notice for his work at the Senior Bowl and then ran a 4.98 at the NFL Scouting Combine at 307 pounds — or just off the 4.97 time in the 40 posted by expected No. 1 overall pick quarterback Jameis Winston of Florida State.

Although he started 37 consecutive games at left tackle at Hobart, he’s projected as a guard in the NFL.

Jackson, on the other hand, is all about right guard. He started 42 games for Florida State as a college player, and all 42 came at right guard, a position manned largely by Davin Joseph last season for the Rams.

A wide-body at 6-3 1/2, 330 pounds, Jackson also had a good Senior Bowl week, getting named South team MVP. Like Marpet, he projects somewhere in the second- to fourth-round range.

Douglas began his career at Arizona State playing left guard, where he started 27 times in 2012 and ’13. He was switched to left tackle last season, starting 13 games and being named a team captain. At 6-4, 304, he projects as a mid-round pick.

The Rams have had at least six offensive linemen pay pre-draft visits to date, with Stanford offensive tackle Andrus Peat, Louisville guard/tackle Jamon Brown, and Duke guard Laken Tomlinson in previously.