ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

The Rams almost couldn't make a choice without drafting for need. Their roster had holes even before general manager Billy Devaney and new head coach Steve Spagnuolo parted with a long list of aging players with bloated salaries: Torry Holt, Orlando Pace, Drew Bennett, Trent Green, Corey Chavous and others.

The Rams' choice at No. 2 overall -- Jason Smith from Baylor -- represents more than just a need pick. It also reflects Spagnuolo's philosophy of building along the lines.

The Rams had it backwards when they poured money into quarterback Marc Bulger and running back Steven Jackson without arming either player with a strong offensive line. Smith will have a hard time providing what Pace gave the Rams for all those years. But he'll probably start on the Rams' line this season and for years to come. That's a start.

The chart shows every offensive tackle Devaney's teams have selected since he entered the NFL as a personnel assistant in 1990 under Bobby Beathard in San Diego. Beathard routinely traded away first-round choices. The Rams couldn't find a taker for the No. 2 overall choice this year. They are taking a tackle earlier than they would like to take him. The chart, showing only one tackle drafted among the top 38 choices, illustrates as much. But at least they can be reasonably sure Smith will anchor their line for years to come.