By Nick Wagoner
Senior Writer

By this time last year, everyone knew what the Rams’ greatest needs were heading into the NFL Draft. In order, that list read something like this: right tackle, right tackle and right tackle.

The perpetual need for a bookend to flank left tackle Orlando Pace on the opposite side had once again reared its ugly head during the 2004 season. Kyle Turley had injured his back and been released and there were no strong options to consider for the starting job.

So, it came as no surprise that when the Rams’ first pick came up at No. 19, they chose Florida State superstar Alex Barron to take over the ever-changing position. While years past have done little to slow down the revolving door at the right tackle position, Barron finally brought some stability. In fact, many scouts believe Barron has what it takes to be a Pro Bowler in the near future.

Barron earned the starting job in week four against the Giants. After holding his own and then some against New York’s Michael Strahan, Barron didn’t relinquish the job for the rest of the season. He missed a pair of games because of a hand injury, but other than some problems with penalties, Barron was one of the bright spots of the offensive line.

With Barron on the right side and Pace in his first offseason without some sort of contract stalemate in a while, offensive tackle is one position that new coach Scott Linehan need not worry about.

Aside from Barron and Pace, though, the Rams don’t have much in the way of depth. The addition of veteran Todd Steussie last week gives the Rams a third tackle with experience and a few Pro Bowls on his resume.

After Pace, Barron and Steussie, the Rams have projects Ben Noll, Drew Strojny, Jason Hilliard and swingman Blaine Saipaia. Richie Incognito is also capable of playing at tackle in a pinch, though he is being developed as an interior lineman.

Entering this year’s draft, the need for another tackle is clearly not one of the team’s greatest needs. But it might not be a bad idea to find some more depth for the position, preferably a player capable of working at tackle or guard at some point in the draft.

Because St. Louis is not in the market for a big-time tackle, it has no need to look in the direction of the draft’s top players. Virginia’s D’Brickashaw Ferguson is considered one of the best prospects to enter the draft in years and should be long gone by the time the Rams choose at No. 11 anyway. After Ferguson, USC’s Winston Justice, Auburn’s Marcus McNeill and Miami’s Eric Winston form the cream of this year’s crop.

Chances are, if the Rams look to add another tackle, it will come in the mid to late rounds, likely on day two (rounds four through seven).

Some names that could pop up in that range that the Rams could target include East Carolina’s Guy Whimper, Virginia Tech’s Jeremy Martin and Northwestern’s Zach Strief.