By Nick Wagoner
Senior Writer

Since the departure of Ernie Conwell to the Saints after the 2002 season, the Rams have been in a perpetual search to find the type of production and stability at the tight end position that Conwell once provided.

While Brandon Manumaleuna has been solid, if unspectacular, in his time as the team’s starting tight end, it has been hard not to wonder what could be if the Rams had a tight end cut from the mold of an Antonio Gates or Tony Gonzalez.

Unfortunately for St. Louis, those types of play making tight ends don’t grow on trees. But, as the NFL Draft draws near, it’s become clear that the tight end position is evolving.

Once a position for block first, block second, catch third, tight end has become a more high profile place for freakish athletes with the size of an offensive lineman and the speed of a wide receiver to make their name.

Never has that evolution become more evident than in this year’s draft class. The class is as deep and talented as any the draft has seen. Heading that list is Maryland’s Vernon Davis, perhaps the most advanced of the prospects to join this growing movement.

Davis is unlike any tight end to enter the draft, perhaps ever. At 6’3, 256 pounds, Davis ran the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds. He has the hands, athleticism and explosiveness the likes of which very few receivers have, let alone tight ends. While his blocking and effort could use some slight tweaking, Davis is clearly the cream of a deep crop at tight end.

Davis is so talented that he won’t likely last beyond the top six or seven picks, but the Rams have had him in for a visit and it’s pretty clear he would be one of the team’s top targets should he slip.

But, while Davis would give the Rams the upgrade they have been looking for, there are plenty of other options that probably wouldn’t require St. Louis to use its first-round pick and still give the position a boost.

Head coach Scott Linehan has said he is happy with what he sees from Manumaleuna, but the incumbent starter hasn’t been around much for offseason workouts and has been inconsistent in the past.

With that in mind, this is one position that will be addressed at some point in the draft, probably fairly early.

“The tight end position is one we want to utilize a bit more,” Linehan said. “I have been very pleased in what I have seen in Brandon. There are not a lot of big, blocking, prototype guys in the NFL that can play in the line, block defensive ends in the running game and match up in pass protections. If you can make that two-headed monster more balanced as far as a blocker and a guy that catches a number of balls in the passing game. We have got to address that and make it a stronger position for us on offense.”

The other returning tight ends don’t have near the experience of Manumaleuna. The other pieces coming back are Jerome Collins, who was drafted in the fifth-round last year, Aaron Walker, Rod Trafford and Darius Williams. Of that group, only Walker has any real NFL playing experience.

One other option that remains less certain is veteran Roland Williams. Williams suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Giants and missed most of the season on injured reserve. Williams is a fan and locker room favorite because of his infectious enthusiasm. He has expressed a desire to return, but with uncertainty surrounding his injury and his age, Williams is not guarantee to come back.

Should Davis be unavailable to the Rams, there is no shortage of other options that could be available in the following rounds. Georgia’s Leonard Pope might actually be a better fit for the two tight end sets the Rams would like to use because of his blocking ability and size. He might not be available when the Rams come up in the second round, but if he is, he would be another consideration.

Other names to watch for include Colorado’s Joe Klopfenstein, USC’s Dominique Byrd, UCLA’s Marcedes Lewis, Notre Dame’s Anthony Fasano, Texas’ David Thomas and Western Michigan’s Tony Scheffler. Every member of that group will likely be gone in the first three rounds.