With the 2nd pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, the St. Louis Rams selected defensive end Chris Long from Virginia. The Rams fell apart in so many ways last season due to injuries. One of those injuries includes left tackle Orlando Pace, who appears to be far past his prime. That would've made an offensive lineman like Jake Long a reasonable pick here, except for the fact that the "what-if" factor makes it possible that Pace would be perfectly fine this season, thus delaying the timeframe of Long's debut on the line.

That's where the shift turned to the defensive side of the ball, where the Rams chose defensive end Adam Carriker last season. Carriker was moved to the defensive tackle position last year, meaning the team again needs youth on the end, especially when you consider that veteran Leonard Little is 34 years of age. I originally had Vernon Gholston being taken by the Rams here, but with the Dolphins taking Jake Long, the Rams change their minds and take a slightly better prospect in Howie Long's son, Chris Long. Long has the high motor and intellect of the game that would bring an immediate pass rushing ability that the Rams haven't seen in a long time.

This is also the first time in the history of the NFL Draft that players with the same surname have been taken No. 1 and No. 2, respectively.