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The St. Louis Rams' need for a wide receiver has not diminished in recent days.

But would the team really trade up two spots in the 2012 NFL draft to select Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon with the fourth overall choice? I do not think that is likely, but a recent report caught my attention.

"Rams and Eagles among about four teams interested in trading up to No. 4 with Browns, sources say," a headline in the Cleveland Plain Dealer said Friday.

The story itself says nothing about the Rams expressing a specific interest in acquiring that choice to select Blackmon or anyone else. It refers to public comments from Rams coach Jeff Fisher suggesting Cleveland could be one potential trading partner.

"At the NFL owners meetings last month, Fisher said he'd consider trading up with the Browns depending on what they wanted in return," the story said. "He didn't specify which player he'd trade up for, but the Rams are believed to have interest in Blackmon. Fisher re-iterated Friday that he'll trade up, down or stay where he is."

If the Rams absolutely had to have Blackmon or any one player in this draft, they could have held onto the No. 2 overall choice. Instead, they traded that pick to Washington with an eye toward building for the long term. They are in position to choose from a group that could include Blackmon, tackle Matt Kalil, cornerback Morris Claiborne, running back Trent Richardson and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, among others.

We've discussed whether Blackmon would be worthy of such an early choice and, earlier, how the 6-foot-1, 207-pound prospect compares physically to wideouts drafted among the top three selections.

I've noticed a differentiation in physical attributes and career success among receivers based upon standing within the first round.

The first chart shows wide receivers drafted among the top three overall choices since 1990. All were at least 6-3. They averaged 220 pounds. Five of the six have been selected to a Pro Bowl as a wide receiver (as opposed to a returner).


The second chart shows receivers drafted fourth through sixth overall, also since 1990. Half were at least 6-3. They averaged 205 pounds. Two are just getting started, making it premature to evaluate their careers. One of the other four, Torry Holt, earned Pro Bowl honors as a wide receiver.

Todd McShay set off alarms as he considered if NFL teams drafting sixth (St. Louis Rams) and 10th (Buffalo Bills) might consider selecting wide receivers with those choices.

The alarms grew louder as McShay, speaking in the video above, noted that Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon, widely rated as the top receiver in the 2012 NFL draft, did not possess prototypical size.

Blackmon, though obviously talented, doesn't fit the physical mold for receivers drafted among the top three overall choices over the past 25-plus years. We discussed the reasons back at the combine, when the Rams held the second overall choice and Blackmon was a consideration for them.

The Rams subsequently traded the second overall choice to Washington. They now hold the sixth overall choice. Blackmon would be a more logical value there than at No. 2, except for those alarms going off.

Consider recent draft history.

First, take a look at receivers drafted among the top five overall choices since 2000, listed in the first chart below.

Three of the seven are superstars: Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald and Andre Johnson. Another, A.J. Green, is coming off an impressive rookie season. Braylon Edwards has enjoyed sporadic success. The other two, Charles Rogers and Peter Warrick, fell far short of expectations.

Those seven players have combined for 12 Pro Bowl appearances (Fitzgerald 5, Johnson 5, Johnson 1, Edwards 1).

The next set of receivers, listed below, were drafted sixth to 15th overall. I selected that range because three NFC West teams -- the Rams, Seattle Seahawks (12th) and Arizona Cardinals (13th) -- hold picks in that area.

The 16 players listed in the second chart have combined for two Pro Bowls, one by Roy Williams and the other by Koren Robinson as a return specialist in Minnesota, long after Robinson had bombed as a receiver.

Receivers talented enough to command selection among the top few overall choices have fared better than the ones with enough question marks to push them down into the next tier.

That is something to consider when weighing how the Rams, Seahawks and Cardinals should use their first-round selections, even if the Rams did land Torry Holt with the sixth overall choice in 1999.

Torry Holt got the timing right for his retirement news conference Wednesday at St. Louis Rams headquarters.

The Rams' seven-time Pro Bowler offered a formal goodbye while NFC West teams searched for receivers with comparable skill.

The latest 2012 NFL mock draft from Mel Kiper Jr., a two-rounder with explanations for every selection, sends three receivers to NFC West teams in the first round alone.

We get the hint even though this division features a couple all-time greats in Randy Moss and Larry Fitzgerald. The Rams in particular need upgraded weapons, but the other teams in the division could use help as well.

And while Kiper did not send a receiver to Seattle in the first round, knowledgeable Seahawks fans know their team hasn't had a Pro Bowl player at the position since Brian Blades in 1989 (another receiver, Alex Bannister, made it as a special-teamer in 2003).

The symmetry with Holt and the Rams is striking. The team drafted Holt sixth overall in 1999, and a trade-down with Washington this offseason has given them the sixth pick again this year. That is where we pick up the conversation, using Kiper's mock as a starting point.

6. St. Louis Rams: Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma St.

Kiper's give: The possibility remains that St. Louis could move off this spot, but if they stay here and get Blackmon, they'll immediately upgrade a huge weakness, which is the lack of talented options for Sam Bradford in the passing game. Blackmon's speed is adequate, but his smarts, ball skills, route-running and work habits translate to a guy that can contribute immediately, which is what this offense desperately needs.

Sando's take: Kiper had cornerback Morris Claiborne heading to the Rams in his previous mock. Blackmon went to Cleveland at No. 4 in that scenario, but with running back Trent Richardson working out impressively following knee surgery, Kiper has the Browns taking Richardson instead of Blackmon. That left Blackmon for the Rams. We've debated on the blog whether Blackmon would be a reach with the sixth pick. We do know Blackmon would address a primary need, and that most analysts consider him a legitimate choice among the top 10 selections. The Rams are trying to bolster the position in free agency to diminish the need heading into the draft, but they aren't going to find a young talent such as Blackmon on the market at this time. The Rams own the 33rd and 39th picks as well, giving them an opportunity to find playmakers beyond the sixth choice, should they prefer to do so. Kiper had the Rams taking Michigan State defensive tackle Jerel Worthy and Ohio State tackle Mike Adams in the second round.

12. Seattle Seahawks: Quinton Coples, DE, North Carolina

Kiper's give: Even if [Boston College linebacker Luke] Kuechly is still on the board, it would be tough for Seattle to pass on perhaps the safest 4-3 DE option available. Coples has prototypical size, can play every down as a pass-rusher and has a solid arsenal of moves to get to opposing quarterbacks, but with the size and discipline to be a force against the run. Seattle can't go wrong here with either the top LB or DE available. This defense is close to being considered among the NFL's finest.

Sando's take: The word "safest" isn't particularly comforting for Seahawks fans. Aaron Curry was considered the safest pick in the 2009 draft. Coples was my choice for Seattle in the recent NFL Blog Network mock. Then, Kuechly was not available. Kiper previously had Seattle taking Ryan Tannehill in this spot, but Tannehill was off the board this time and the Seahawks weren't in the QB market, anyway, after signing Matt Flynn. Some have criticized Coples for inconsistent effort. Pete Carroll constantly emphasizes competition, but the Seahawks have shown they can get good results from defensive players with varied résumés and reputations. Red Bryant, Chris Clemons and Alan Branch come to mind. The draft plot thickens considerably for Seattle if Kuechly does slip past the top 11 choices. The word "safe" has applied to Kuechly as well. The Seahawks have obvious needs for a pass-rusher and a linebacker, so Coples and Kuechly make sense as projected picks. Kiper had the Seahawks taking Oklahoma linebacker Ronnell Lewis in the second round.

13. Arizona Cardinals: Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame

Kiper's give: Another pick I'll stick with, Floyd is a great complement to Larry Fitzgerald and will help Arizona maximize the options for Kevin Kolb. The offensive line could use help, but Floyd has proven that he'd be a good value here. Think of Atlanta getting Julio Jones to take some pressure off Roddy White last year. Floyd could fill a similar role.

Sando's take: Some might recall Kiper sending Stanford tackle Jonathan Martin to the Cardinals a couple mocks ago. Martin fell from the first round entirely in Kiper's next version before resurfacing in the 20s of this one. The Cardinals need help at tackle after failing to address the position in free agency. (Demetress Bell's agreement with Philadelphia takes away one option under consideration for Arizona.) I get Kiper's thinking on Floyd. Arming Kolb with sufficient options is important. I've offered a counterpoint in the video posted atop this entry. In short, the Cardinals have already armed Kolb with highly drafted weapons at running back, receiver and tight end. The case can be made that Kolb needs to make better use of the existing weapons. To do that, he'll have to gain a stronger grasp of the playbook this offseason. He'll also need to stay on the field, something he hasn't been able to do. Improved pocket awareness would help. Landing a tackle seems like a necessity, but how? I sent Courtney Upshaw to the Cardinals in our Blog Network mock, figuring pass-rushers are more valuable than receivers or offensive linemen. Stanford guard David DeCastro was available to Arizona in Kiper's latest mock. Would the Cardinals draft him to play guard, then move Adam Snyder to right tackle? Kent Somers raised that possibility and it's an interesting one. I'm not sure Snyder projects as the long-term solution at guard, let alone tackle.

30. San Francisco 49ers: Stephen Hill, WR, Georgia Tech

Kiper's give: Hill is the biggest home-run threat in the draft when you combine his speed and size, and it's no secret the 49ers need some help at wide receiver, even with the additions of Randy Moss and Mario Manningham. He'll need an adjustment period as he gets used to doing more in terms of scheme than he was asked at Georgia Tech, but he's the kind of weapon this offense needs to expand.

Sando's take: The thinking makes sense, but the 49ers have options in this spot. Players drafted this late in the first round will likely need time before developing into starters. There's no pressure to target the most immediate need on the roster. Landing a receiver does have appeal. Moss is 35 years old and might not offer much at this stage. But the 49ers can count tight end Vernon Davis as one of their receiving options. They use two tight ends frequently. This team does not run a spread offense requiring three top-flight wideouts, in other words. And there's still a chance Michael Crabtree will take another step forward after finally getting a full offseason in the 49ers' offensive system. The team has flexibility heading into the draft, in other words. San Francisco could target just about any position with the 30th choice (quarterback would be a surprise). The 49ers can sit back and wait to see which talented players with question marks fall to them. Kiper had the 49ers taking Brandon Brooks, a guard from Miami of Ohio, in the second round. The need for guard help could subside if the 49ers sign a veteran in free agency, however. They've visited with a few.

Middle linebacker David Hawthorne's experience in NFL free agency was not unique to him.

The market for running backs, safeties and inside linebackers has remained mostly soft as teams build their rosters from the outside in, the better to cope with an increasingly pass-happy NFL.

The Seattle Seahawks have been a bit of an exception, paying significant sums to a run-stuffing defensive end (Red Bryant) and a power runner (Marshawn Lynch). But they weren't going to value Hawthorne on the same level. Knee problems slowed Hawthorne last season. And Hawthorne, though productive when healthy, does not possess the specialized traits coach Pete Carroll values in players.

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune says Hawthorne wanted to re-sign with Seattle, but the New Orleans Saints were offering better money. Hawthorne's agent, Russel Hicks: "He wanted to come back there. He got his NFL start there, but unfortunately Seattle did not make him a priority to bring him back and New Orleans made it a priority to get him signed. Personally I just wish they would have made a better attempt to bring him back, but they didn’t. And David does, too." Noted: Hawthorne has seven interceptions over the past three seasons. The Seahawks could miss his production. However, they have embraced opportunities to remake the position, parting with Aaron Curry and Lofa Tatupu previously. The team was more interested in keeping Hawthorne than keeping Curry or Tatupu, but not enough to pay him even in a soft market.

Danny O'Neil of the Seattle Times passes along thoughts from Hawthorne after the middle linebacker signed with New Orleans. Hawthorne: "From Day One, they were one of the first teams to contact me in free agency. I think they valued me and my body of work, and I had never played a snap for them. ... I had to make a decision based on my future."

Also from O'Neil: thoughts on the Seahawks' new uniforms. O'Neil: "Mock if you must. Compare them to the Nike football flagship that Oregon's college program has become, or invoke the Arena League or comic-book superheroes for that matter. But no one is going to mistake the Seahawks' new uniforms for anything out of grandma's attic."

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com checks in with Todd Van Horne, Nike's global creative director, for thoughts on the new NFL uniforms. Farnsworth: "The jersey is 20 percent lighter and 50 percent stronger than what teams have been wearing the past 10 seasons."

Also from Farnsworth: "The Seahawks tried to re-sign Hawthorne before the free agency period began on March 13 and again after he had visited the Saints. But the sides could not agree on a deal."

Sports Press Northwest quotes Bills safety George Wilson thusly: "Why do the Seahawks get the cool uniforms? I like changing it up and not doing the expected. Seattle is really taking some risks in their uniform. But from hearing the other guys talk about it in the back, I think their uniform was the overwhelming player favorite in the dressing room."

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says during a chat he thinks Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt are both worthy of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Also from Thomas: "Even with the signing of Jo-Lonn Dunbar from New Orleans, the Rams still have only four linebackers under contract. Most teams take 9 or 10 into training camp, and usually 6 or 7 into the regular season. So yes, the Rams need more bodies there. I think Lavonte David would be a good choice. He'd be a great value at the top of the third, but will he still be there at that point."

Jeff Gordon of stltoday.com suggests Los Angeles might be less of a threat to lure the Rams away from St. Louis. Gordon: "The downtown L.A. stadium proposed by the Anschutz Entertainment Group offers decidedly unattractive financial terms to teams in other cities. Yahoo! Sports notes that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell advised billionaire Phil Anschutz to change those terms to move the project forward. Anschutz has thus far balked at Goodell’s suggestion."

Nick Wagoner of stlouisrams.com explains some of the reasons he came to appreciate Torry Holt. He passes along this 2007 comment from Holt regarding talkative wideouts: "Yeah, sometimes it’s just shutting up and just playing, not worrying about anything that is going on other than what you can control and that’s your job and your actions and your words. That’s one of the biggest lessons I would take from Isaac (Bruce). Sometimes you should just shut up. Tame your tongue and let your actions and what you do on the football field speak for you. That’s what he does."

Howard Balzer of 101ESPN St. Louis says Rams cornerback Cortland Finnegan likes the new Nike uniforms. Finnegan: "It is everything a player could want in a jersey. The older jerseys limited you. I can feel the difference just walking around. They are state of the art."

Bob Young of the Arizona Republic offers details on the NFL's new uniforms, noting that little has changed for the Cardinals. Young: "While the shrink-wrap-tight cut of the uniforms, exposed stitching and breathable fabrics reportedly are similar to the cutting-edge stuff that Nike has produced for college programs -- including Arizona State -- the new uniforms stay true to traditional designs and colors for most teams. Larry Fitzgerald modeled the Cardinals version of the new uniforms for NFL.com in the home red. We are told the team still will have the alternate black uniform option as well."

Aaron Wilson of Scout.com says James Sanders, a free-agent safety from the Atlanta Falcons, is visiting with the Cardinals. Sanders played previously for New England.

Kevin Lynch of the San Francisco Chronicle says the 49ers' Jed York showed qualities reflecting his uncle (Eddie DeBartolo Jr.) and father (John York) in securing a new stadium. Lynch: "Jed is impetuous just like Eddie, but has an awareness of financial reality like his pop."

Cam Inman of the San Jose Mercury News says the 49ers' jerseys should look familiar, and not just for their design. Inman: "A main element for the next edition of the 49ers: The names on the back of the uniform. According to unofficial research (a five-second scan of the online roster), 52 players who had spots in last season’s locker room are still on the team. That includes every defensive starter (plus Aldon Smith, who’s tabbed to unseat Parys Haralson at right outside linebacker). Unlike so many recent 49ers offseasons in the past decade, the head coach returns. And, yes, you can assume Jim Harbaugh’s wardrobe won’t stray from last year’s staple: khaki pants, black fleece sweatshirt, black cap, red-pen necklace, wily scowl."

Also from Inman: an Alex Smith interview transcript.

Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle says the 49ers' apparent interest in free-agent offensive lineman Jason Brown makes sense.

Ofelia Madrid of the Arizona Republic says receiver Dontavia Bogan, recently released by the 49ers, was arrested after scuffling with security guards in Arizona.

There's more to the NFC West blog than uniform reviews, I'm happy to say.

We can thank Bernie Miklasz of 101ESPN St. Louis for interrupting the NFL's ongoing fashion show with some actual NFC West football talk.

Bernie and I discussed Torry Holt's Hall of Fame credentials, and also whether the St. Louis Rams should consider trading down again from the sixth pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

The case for Holt should emphasize the quality of his career, not just numbers accumulated over time. Holt's six consecutive seasons with at least 1,300 yards were an NFL record, matching the career total for Jerry Rice in 20 seasons.

Audio here.

Wrapping up (for now, anyway) the first Monday in April:

• The NFC West could be playing musical guards. Arizona already signed former San Francisco 49ers guard/tackle Adam Snyder. Former Cardinals guard Deuce Lutui visited the 49ers last week and met with the Seattle Seahawks on Monday, according to Howard Balzer. The Rams previously met with former 49ers starter Chilo Rachal. The 49ers met with long-ago Cardinals starter Leonard Davis.
• Lutui played for Seahawks coach Pete Carroll at USC. Weight problems have raised questions about his commitment, leading the Cardinals to seek alternatives at right guard. They went with Rex Hadnot last offseason, then added Snyder this offseason. Seattle could use depth at guard after releasing Robert Gallery.
• How would Lutui look in a Seahawks uniform? That might depend on which uniform. The new ones from Nike are expected to feature a tighter fit. That might be welcome news for Kam Chancellor and other statuesque players, but did anyone consult the big guys?
• Quite a few Seahawks observers have sent photos purporting to offer clues regarding the new uniforms set for unveiling Tuesday. Some of them might be right, wrong or close to the real thing. Experience has taught me patience regarding "leaked" uniform photos. I recall seeing similar photos in the past, not all of them accurate. Nike's site was showing preview items for every team but Seattle earlier Monday, further affirming expectations of a full redesign for the Seahawks.
• The Rams have made available a highlight video for the retiring Torry Holt. Holt's diving catch against Green Bay in the playoffs is worth another look.
• The Cardinals have put together a video showing quarterbacks coach John McNulty checking out University of Arizona quarterback Nick Foles' workout. The Cardinals gave McNulty a raise and moved him to quarterbacks coach after blocking Tampa Bay from pursuing him as its offensive coordinator.
• The Rams have the NFL's third-youngest roster after signing Jo-Lonn Dunbar and re-signing Tom Brandstater. Both are relatively young at age 27, but they actually made the revamped Rams slightly older on average. Tampa Bay and Seattle are tied for the youngest roster on average, with the Rams right behind. The 49ers (24th youngest) and Cardinals (25th) are older. Filtering out specialists produces slightly different rankings: Seattle second-youngest, St. Louis third, San Francisco tied for 11th and Arizona 21st.

Until next time, enjoy your Monday evening.

Hall of Famer Jerry Rice passed 11,000 yards receiving in his 133rd game.

Torry Holt needed 131 games, making him the fastest to the milestone in NFL history. He set another NFL record by reaching 1,300 yards in six consecutive seasons.

The St. Louis Rams made note of those milestones while announcing plans to honor Holt during a ceremony Wednesday. Holt, who last played in the NFL for Jacksonville in 2009, will sign a one-day contract with the Rams, then formally retire with the team that selected him sixth overall in the 1999 draft.

After filing a Holt appreciation piece last week, I've put together a chart comparing Holt's career numbers to those for the Rams' current receivers.

Holt was prolific, and not just a compiler of numbers over time.

The pace Holt set in getting the first 11,000 of his 13,382 career yards bears revisiting.

Larry Fitzgerald has 9,615 yards in 124 games. He would have to gain 1,385 yards in his next seven games -- 197.8 yards per game -- to reach 11,000 as quickly as Holt.

Andre Johnson, with 9,656 yards in 122 games, would have to gain 1,344 yards in his next nine games -- 149.3 per game -- to match the feat.

The Rams have provided comments from Holt and chief operating officer Kevin Demoff in advance of the news conference:

Holt: "I loved everything about being a Ram, and I feel blessed that I’m able to formally finish my career with the organization that drafted me in 1999. The fans and the city of St. Louis have been so good to me. I feel very fortunate that I was able to come to St. Louis and be surrounded by so many outstanding players and coaches. This is where it all started, and it’s fitting that this is also where it ends."

Demoff: "Torry's career achievements define him as one of the franchise's most exciting players, and it's only appropriate that he complete his remarkable career in a Rams uniform. As a key figure in one of the greatest offenses in NFL history, Torry spent an entire decade thrilling St. Louis fans with his clutch catches. We're proud to celebrate this special day with Torry and to welcome him back home."

Note: I've updated this item to include the second chart, provided by the Rams via Elias Sports Bureau. The total for Rice, 133 games, is one more than I had counted initially.

Torry Holt's formal retirement from the NFL -- as a St. Louis Ram, fittingly -- will touch off the usual discussions about Hall of Fame worthiness.

In the meantime, consider this an appreciation.

Holt was the NFC West wide receiver opponents feared most during the first five or six years following divisional realignment in 2002. He could beat defenses with his speed and then make spectacular, seemingly impossible plays on the ball against coverage.

Terrell Owens left the division following the 2003 season. Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin were still ascending. Holt's teammate in St. Louis, Isaac Bruce, remained formidable, but Holt was increasingly the dominant force.

From 2000 through 2007, Holt strung together eight consecutive seasons with at least 81 receptions and 1,188 yards. That included two 1,600-yard seasons and four others with at least 1,300 yards. He averaged 19.9 yards per reception in 2000 and 106 yards per game in 2003, figures that led the NFL in those seasons.

My previous job as a Seattle Seahawks beat reporter provided a first-hand view for some of Holt's finest moments. His eight catches for 154 yards and three touchdowns against Seattle during a 2006 shootout at the Edward Jones Dome stands out. The Rams trailed 27-21 with three minutes remaining when Leonard Little forced a Maurice Morris fumble. Less than a minute later, Holt's 67-yard touchdown catch had the Rams in the lead.

Safety Michael Boulware had deflected the pass and nearly intercepted it. Holt somehow gathered the ball, a deep heave from Marc Bulger, and ran into the end zone for the go-ahead score.

"Until he caught it, I thought I was catching it," Boulware said at the time. "I'm still kind of ... I can't believe that he caught it."

Holt was a Seahawk killer in those days. He finished his career with 91 receptions for 1,247 yards and eight touchdowns in 16 games against Seattle. But Holt did not discriminate. He lit up Arizona with 101 receptions for 1,417 yards and nine scores in 15 games. Holt had 116 receptions for 1,542 yards and seven touchdowns in 21 games against San Francisco, a team he faced in the NFC West before and after realignment.

Purely by coincidence, I cued up that 2006 Seahawks-Rams game on Tuesday night when my kids asked if they could watch an old game on their DVD player before bedtime.

We watched Holt dominate, at one point catching a 9-yard scoring pass against Marcus Trufant before Trufant could even turn to locate the ball. After a while, my youngest son, 7, asked whether Holt was in the Hall of Fame. The question was premature, as Holt will not be eligible for another five years. But the case for him is a strong one.

Holt had more receptions and receiving yards than any player from 2000 to 2009. He was fifth in receiving touchdowns during that time, a respectable total that suffered because the Rams had other options. He won one Super Bowl and played in another.

The Rams have struggled to replace Holt in recent seasons. They hold the sixth pick in the 2012 draft and could select Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon, if available. Holt, the sixth player chosen in 1999, set the bar high.

Ed from Lake Arrowhead, Calif., thinks the St. Louis Rams have sufficient draft needs to stand pat at No. 6 and select a player that falls to them. He thinks there's no reason to panic if Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon is not available.

"There are two first-rounders to use for the next two years, and free agency might be kinder to the Rams next season," Ed writes. "This will take some time to get right."

Mike Sando: Offensive players currently on the Rams' roster combined for 10 touchdowns last season. Marshawn Lynch (13) and Beanie Wells (10) had at least that many for division rivals. Finding players to score touchdowns has to be the Rams' top priority as they help Sam Bradford and, of course, win games.

Quite a few projections suggest that Blackmon and Alabama running back Trent Richardson will not last past the fifth pick. In that case, we're seeing LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne listed as a logical Rams choice based more on value than need.

Adding Claiborne would not help Bradford directly. But the draft does go beyond the sixth overall pick. The Rams also hold the 33rd and 39th choices. They could use those second-round choices to trade up into the first round for a shot at a wide receiver. They could even trade one of the second-rounders for a 2013 first, giving them three next year.

Teams have drafted eight receivers from 30th through 42nd since 2008, a range that approximates where the Rams are scheduled to pick. The eight: Arrelious Benn, Kenny Britt, Brian Robiskie, Donnie Avery, Devin Thomas, Jordy Nelson, James Hardy and Eddie Royal.

Blackmon would not be a sure bet at No. 6, but the list of receivers drafted in that slot shows the potential value. James Lofton (1978), Tim Brown (1988) and Torry Holt (1999) were the last three receivers taken sixth until the Atlanta Falcons, led in part by new Rams general manager Les Snead, selected Julio Jones in that slot last year.

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Charles from Atascadero, Calif., wants to know which pick the San Francisco 49ers received for safety Taylor Mays, who was traded during training camp last offseason.

Mike Sando: The 49ers will receive a 2013 seventh-round choice. That is why there was no additional pick for San Francisco when the 2012 draft order came out.

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Jeff from Las Vegas thinks the Seattle Seahawks should have been ranked higher than 22nd in ESPN's NFL Power Rankings. He points to their defense, running game and an upgraded quarterback situation in suggesting the Seahawks can challenge the 49ers for the NFC West title and possibly earn a wild-card playoff berth.

Mike Sando: I ranked Seattle higher than 22nd, but the Seahawks have quite a bit to prove. Matt Flynn offers hope, but no guarantees. Can he produce over a full season? Is he durable? Will offensive linemen Russell Okung, John Moffitt and/or James Carpenter be healthy enough to contribute? What about Sidney Rice?

These are subjects we can discuss in greater detail Wednesday when following up the item soliciting opinions on which team is best positioned to overtake the 49ers.

I'm expecting to hear from Arizona Cardinals fans then as well, if not in the mailbag (been quiet on the Cardinals front recently, but I know you're out there).

Thoughts on the St. Louis Rams' Week 3 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens in the Edward Jones Dome:

What it means: The Rams are 0-3 and falling far short of reasonable expectations, even when taking into account significant injury issues. They are 0-2 at home and already two games behind in the NFC West race. Their late-season schedule is packed with division games, so there's no sense in writing off the Rams at this early stage. But there have been too few signs the Rams are close to getting things going. They are floundering. This was a big step backward for a team already heading in the wrong direction to open the season.

What I liked: Steven Jackson was active for the first time since suffering a quadriceps strain early in the season opener. Rookie first-round pick Robert Quinn had two quarterback hits, as did Chris Long. Long now has three sacks in three games. Sam Bradford found Brandon Gibson for a 34-yard scoring reception.

What I didn't like: The Rams looked like a lost cause on both sides of the ball. This was the third consecutive game a Rams' opponent has returned a Bradford fumble for a touchdown. The Rams' 32nd-ranked run defense continued giving up far too many yards, including runs of 53 and 28 yards. Their pass defense was worse, making Ravens rookie Torrey Smith look more like retired Rams legend Torry Holt. Smith's three first-quarter scoring receptions from Joe Flacco covered 74, 41 and 18 yards, blowing open the game. Smith had never caught a pass in the regular season before Sunday. He caught four passes for 20 yards during the preseason. Sure, the Rams have injury-related issues in their secondary. The occasional breakdown is going to happen. This performance was inexcusable.

Playing from behind: The Rams' offense has yet to take a snap this season while the team led its opponent on the scoreboard.

Disappearing Danario: Rams receiver Danario Alexander made big plays downfield against the New York Giants on Monday night. The Rams targeted him frequently in this game, with disappointing results.

What's next: The Rams face the Washington Redskins at the Edward Jones Dome in Week 3.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch checks in with former Rams receiver Torry Holt, who is helping out at player-organized practices. Holt says he hasn't retired, but isn't sure whether he'll have another opportunity to sign with a team. Holt, on the Rams' receivers: "They want to learn. They want to be challenged. And that's what I was trying to do to them in these past couple days. I thought (Brandon) Gibson looked really good. (Danny) Amendola looked good. Plays really fast. Runs good routes. Austin Pettis, for a big guy, can really transition in and out of his breaks. He's a big target. I think he'll be an excellent target for Sam (Bradford). Greg Salas looked good. He's got some quick-twitch fibers. He's got to change some of his running motion. The tight end, (Lance) Kendricks, man, he is put together. He looks good. Very athletic."

Also from Thomas: He says during a chat that longtime team employees are on edge after coach Steve Spagnuolo and general manager Billy Devaney dismissed multiple employees with ties to the team's distant past. Thomas: "In my opinion, it's not a good situation. A lot of the rank-and-file here at Rams Park feel if they worked with the team in L.A., or were part of the move to St. Louis, etc., that there's a bull's eye on their back. It's not good for morale."

Bill Coats of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Rams receiver Danario Alexander is looking healthier. Bradford: "Watching him go through wide receiver drills and just getting off the line, he looks much quicker, looks much faster, much more explosive than he did in the (2010) season."

Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune explains why he thinks the Seahawks could be leaning toward going with Charlie Whitehurst as their starter in 2010. Williams: "While Matt Hasselbeck possesses more playmaking ability and would allow Seattle to do more in new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell's scheme because of his quick thinking at the line of scrimmage, I think Pete Carroll could be leaning toward handing over the reins to Whitehurst for a couple reasons. First, Whitehurst will not take as many risks, can move a little better outside the pocket, and still possesses a strong enough arm to keep defenses honest with the deep ball. He’s basically the game manager that Carroll is looking for, allowing the Seahawks to become more run-oriented offensively and to play from a defensive mindset by limiting turnovers and controlling field position -- something all defensive-minded head coaches want to do." The longer the lockout drags on, the easier it becomes for organizations to take the bigger-picture view. In this case, the bigger-picture view does not include Hasselbeck. I suspect the team would have re-signed Hasselbeck by now if there had been no lockout. The team could still bring him back, but making a clean break with the past becomes more likely as the lockout continues.

Brady Henderson of 710ESPN Seattle passes along thoughts from Seahawks receiver Mike Williams, who had this to say about Whitehurst: "I think Charlie has a big-time arm, he can make all the throws. I think people were very critical of him this year but I don't think people take into consideration what repetitions do in this league and the looks and the more time that you have under center in practice and how it carries over to the game. So, I still think the judgment on Charlie definitely has to be out until he's had a full year of work under his belt to really assess where he's at."

Sam Wyche of NFL.com says longtime line coach Larry Beightol's endorsement played some role in the Seahawks' decision to draft Alabama tackle James Carpenter. Beightol, who helped train Carpenter before the draft, was the Packers' offensive line coach from 1999 to 2005. Wyche: "Carpenter trains where roughly 30 Raiders players will be training for three days this week as part of a 'minicamp' organized by veteran defensive end Richard Seymour. Carpenter said he'll be asking those players about Tom Cable, his style and gathering any information that could help him make the transition to the NFL quicker."

Dave Boling of the Tacoma News Tribune offers thoughts on Seahawks owner Paul Allen after reading Allen's memoir. Boling: "One of the early surprises in the recently published book is that Allen’s love of sports initially arose as a participant. Well, sort of a participant. He said he sat on the end of the bench for his peewee church league basketball team. At Washington State, he played hours of H-O-R-S-E in the frat house driveway where his 'notorious matador' shot was hard to beat.' He claims he rarely dropped a pass on his frat intramural football team."

Clare Farnsworth of seahawks.com looks back at 1985, one of the more disappointing seasons in team history. Seattle was coming off a 12-4 season that suggested even better things ahead. Farnsworth: "What the Seahawks did, however, was finish 8-8. And not just any old 8-8, mind you. There was a sinister symmetry to their .500-ness, as they won two games, lost two games, won two games and so on from promising start to disappointing finish. They never lost more than two in a row, nor won more than two in a row."

Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com expects Aldon Smith and Kendall Hunter to have the greatest immediate impact among the 49ers' 2011 draft choices. Maiocco: "Aldon Smith will be asked to rush the passer, first and foremost. During his two college seasons, Smith showed an ability to get to the quarterback. It's a skill that transitions well to the NFL, as I wrote about over the weekend. A good pass-rusher can step into the professional ranks and immediately begin harassing quarterbacks."

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee says the 49ers' player-organized practices have not been as extensive as those being put together by the Rams and some other teams. Barrows: "One of the obstacles is that the Bay Area is an expensive place to live and that many of the players choose to live elsewhere in the offseason. Another is that the two players in the most prominent leadership positions -- the starting quarterback and the players' representative -- technically aren't part of the team. Alex Smith and Takeo Spikes are both likely to re-sign with the 49ers when the lockout is lifted, but both are currently unrestricted free agents. Furthermore, Spikes lives in the Atlanta area."

Daniel Brown of the San Jose Mercury News says 49ers veterans will have to pick up the slack after the NFL canceled its rookie symposium.

Kevin Lynch of Niner Insider says it's possible players could form bad habits during coach-free practices, according to general manager Trent Baalke.

Eric Branch of the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat explains why Dom Capers' meticulous approach could influence the 49ers' current coaches.

Mark Gaughan of the Buffalo News says Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick valued Arizona workout sessions and a chance to train with Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Fitzpatrick: "The Arizona workouts were awesome. Everybody was willing and ready to work. It was basically a business trip. We had some fun. But when we were on the field, it was just us guys from the Bills. There was a lot of grinding out there. ... The good thing too was the very last day we were able to go work out with the Cardinals. Comparing yourself to some of those guys, I know our receivers like looking at that. And even just learning some stuff from Larry Fitzgerald, a guy like that. We got a lot of good stuff out of that."

The St. Louis Rams should be gratified and a little nervous upon learning that most of their players plan to begin organized workout sessions Monday.

Tony Softli of 101ESPN St. Louis has the details, including these two nuggets:

• Roughly 70 percent of the roster, including quarterback Sam Bradford and 2011 draft choices, are expected to lift weights and practice;
• Former players Torry Holt and Corey Chavous will serve as coaches.

Getting so many players together in the St. Louis area reflects well on the leadership St. Louis has assembled. It's not like these workouts are in San Diego or Miami Beach or even Arizona.

The potential for injuries stands as a concern. Players are competitive. Some will practice harder than others. Players might not have access to professional training resources.

It must be tough for the Rams' real coaches to know players are practicing without their supervision. Coaches -- particularly head coaches -- like to control every detail. The lockout makes them helpless.

The St. Louis Rams were the only NFC West team without a quarterback need in the 2011 NFL draft.

They held the 14th overall choice, but with four quarterbacks taken among the first 12 picks, St. Louis got more value from the selection. How much more value?

If we exclude quarterbacks from the drafting equation, as the Rams did in this draft, the team got No. 10 overall value from the 14th pick. The difference in value between the 10th and 14th picks -- 200 points on the widely circulated draft-value chart -- equates to the 78th overall choice.

The Rams happened to hold the 78th pick this year. They used it for Boise State receiver Austin Pettis.

This draft featured more quarterbacks selected among the 12 choices than any since 1999, when there were five. The Rams were already set at quarterback that year. They held the sixth overall choice and got heightened value when Cleveland, Philadelphia and Cincinnati selected quarterbacks with the first three picks. The Rams selected receiver Torry Holt -- the sixth overall choice, but only the third non-quarterback.

After quarterbacks went 1-2-3 in 1999, the teams drafting next "settled" for Edgerrin James, Ricky Williams, Holt and Champ Bailey. The next two players taken, David Boston and Chris Claiborne, never met expectations. Overall, however, teams searching for non-quarterbacks stood to benefit.

The Rams are hoping first-round choice Robert Quinn fits into that group with James, Williams, Holt and Bailey.

Larry Fitzgerald's arrival with the Arizona Cardinals via the 2004 NFL draft serves as the starting point for the latest item looking at recent NFC West choices.

Fitzgerald already has 613 receptions, far more than any other NFC West receiver over the last seven seasons.

In fact, the wide receivers with the most receptions for the Cardinals' division rivals during the same time period -- Torry Holt (St. Louis), Bobby Engram (Seattle) and Arnaz Battle (San Francisco) -- have long since moved on. I ran across Engram in the 49ers' main lobby Wednesday; he's a quality control coach with the team.

History tells us receivers carry more risk than some other positions. For every Fitzgerald, there seems to be a Koren Robinson, David Terrell or Troy Williamson -- high picks that never came close to realizing their potential. Mike Williams' revival with Seattle last season was an exception.

The charts break down every receiver NFC West teams have drafted since 2004. Will the St. Louis Rams add Julio Jones to their list of drafted wideouts?

As in the past, I'll preface each chart with thoughts from the teams' perspectives.

Immediate needs don't matter so much when front-line talent is available ...

Time to start finding replacements for veterans who might not fit into our plans (Terrell Owens for the 49ers, Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt for the Rams) ...

These guys might not start, but every team needs secondary options in the passing game ...

We're getting late enough in the draft to consider grabbing a receiver while a few with decent potential remain on the board ...

Time to fill out the roster and hope we find depth for special teams ...

Not all that long ago, the St. Louis Rams could match wide receivers with any team in the league.

They had Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt and a running back, Marshall Faulk, who could challenge defenses as a wideout.

Times have changed.

With a playoff berth on the line in Week 17 last season, quarterback Sam Bradford threw to a group featuring Danario Alexander, Laurent Robinson, Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson. The Rams went quietly, scoring only six points. Running back Steven Jackson and tight end Daniel Fells led them in receiving yards with 39 apiece.

It's one reason selecting a wide receiver with the 14th overall choice could make sense for the Rams, provided one of the top two prospects remains available.

Georgia's A.J. Green, who works out for scouts Tuesday, could be gone among the top-five picks and almost certainly won't make it out of the top 10, according to scouts. Alabama's Julio Jones might also be gone by No. 14, but it's not such a sure thing.

Either one would provide a clear talent upgrade at the position for St. Louis.

"[Green or Jones'] ability to stretch the field would make it harder for teams to load up against Steven Jackson," Steve Muench of Scouts Inc. said. "It would also create space for the other receivers underneath, notably Amendola. The best-case scenario here is for the Rams' new offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels, to get the vertical threat he had in New England with Randy Moss, allowing Amendola to play the role of Wes Welker underneath."

For additional perspective, I brought together Muench and NFLDraftScout.com's Rob Rang. They explained why Green outranks Jones in this draft and what the Rams, or any team, would be getting with each.

Sando: What separates Green from Jones in your evaluation?

Muench: While both players are big-play threats downfield and after the catch, Green is the crisper route runner, despite his superior height. He will have more success separating from man coverage until, or unless, Jones improves his footwork at the top of his stem. Green also has exceptional ball skills, while Jones lets the ball get to his frame a bit too much and is more likely to drop a pass he should catch.

Rang: A.J. Green is taller and has better playing speed. Even when he is covered, he is still open because the kid just makes catches. It's like Larry Fitzgerald, Sidney Rice, Randy Moss -- they go up in the air and they can soar over everyone else and catch the football. They win those one-on-one battles. That is what he does. He just has phenomenal hands.

Sando: Jones' combine workout turned heads. How much did it help him?

Muench: Jones created a lot of buzz running the 40-yard dash in 4.34 seconds and measuring 6-foot-3, 220 pounds. He was then diagnosed with a stress fracture in his left foot and had a pin inserted, but the injury is not considered serious and it's not what has prevented Jones from leapfrogging Green. Green may not have been as impressive in Indianapolis, but he certainly didn't flop. He measured close to an inch taller than Jones, carries his 211 pounds well and is more than fast enough (4.48 in the 40). Far, far more importantly, he is the better receiver on film -- and that's no knock on Jones.

Rang: When Jones ran that fast at the combine, you would think he should be able to get open or scare teams just a little bit more than he did in college.

Sando: That's an interesting twist on a great workout. Sometimes they can raise as many questions as they answer.

Rang: There were times when teams gave Julio Jones the deep ball and he couldn't get deep and really scare teams. His quarterback, Greg McElroy, doesn't have a huge arm, so some might say the defense just doesn’t respect McElroy’s deep ball. Still, there were times when good cover corners, at least capable collegiate cover corners, could stick with Julio Jones. They were breaking on his out routes. They were basically in his hip pocket. Was that a function of Julio Jones not having the explosiveness to get out of his routes and create some separation, or doesn't he have the straight-line speed to scare defenses? Or is it McElroy's inability to throw the football? That is why there is some nervousness.

Sando: That makes it easier to see why Jones could slip to the Rams at No. 14 and why they might consider taking, say, a defensive lineman with fewer question marks. Thanks for the insight, guys.