By Nick Wagoner
Senior Writer

The Rams entered the first day of the NFL Draft with crystal clear needs that had to be addressed.

Included on that shopping list was the desire to add a run stuffing defensive lineman who can help bolster the team’s run defense. The team quickly addressed that in the first round by picking defensive lineman/run stopping dynamo Adam Carriker with the 13th pick.

Beyond that, the Rams entered the day searching for a desperately needed backup running back for starter Steven Jackson, some depth in the secondary and a pass rusher off the end.

By the end of day one, two more of those needs were also filled.

After taking Carriker and being forced to wait for what seemed like forever to make another pick, the team used the 52nd selection on Rutgers running back Brian Leonard.

Leonard brings plenty of versatility, toughness and character to the spot behind Jackson on the depth chart. More than anything, though, Leonard’s unselfishness made him the perfect fit for coach Scott Linehan and the Rams.

“His combination of size, speed and versatility and he’s another character person who is unselfish and all about the team were the biggest factors in us picking this player,” Linehan said.

After spending the majority of time as the Scarlet Knights’ feature back, the coaching staff asked Leonard to spend his senior season as a fullback. Under normal circumstances, that wouldn’t be a big deal, but for someone with Leonard’s resume, it was a bit of a surprise.

Leonard (6’1, 226 pounds) had been so successful in his three seasons that he even explored his options for the NFL Draft after his junior year. But Leonard, ever the team player, made the move without hesitation.

“It was a little nerve racking,” Leonard said. “I had the chance to leave after my junior year but I told my coach that I wanted to come back and help this team be champions. We won a bowl game and now we are champions so I did accomplish my dream.”

Indeed, Rutgers burst on to the scene with Leonard’s leadership as a catalyst. By the time his career was done, Leonard had racked up 207 receptions for 1,868 yards and 13 touchdowns to go with 2,779 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns. Additionally, Leonard had seven tackles and a fumble recovery on special teams.

For the Rams, Linehan envisions Leonard stepping in and filling a variety of roles, not least of which will see him take over as the clear cut No. 2 back behind Jackson.

“I really believe he will be our No. 2 back by early in the season at our tailback spot,” Linehan said. “There have been comparisons to Mike Alstott. I stay away from those types of comparisons, but I think he is very capable of being that type of a player. I also think Brian is going to be a very effective if not outstanding special teams player from the beginning.”

And with no trades coming to fruition through the course of the day, the Rams went ahead and filled another need by adding Tennessee cornerback Jonathan Wade with their third round choice, No. 84 overall.

In Wade, the Rams opted to go with the best player remaining on their board. That choice could just as easily have been a pass rusher off the edge, but it came down to one deciding factor in selecting Wade – his speed.

“He was the guy ranked up there the highest and you just couldn’t move anywhere else away from that speed,” Linehan said. “It gives us depth at the cornerback position and a guy that has played at a high level in arguably the best college football conference against some of the best receivers throughout his career.”

Wade’s speed is without question his most appealing quality. In addition to his 40-yard dash times coming in the 4.3-4.4 second area, Wade has been an integral part of Tennessee’s track teams by specializing in the 4x100 meter relay.

That speed brought Wade to Tennessee as a receiver, but he was eventually moved to cornerback because of a need at the position. After starting three games as a receiver in his first season, Wade suffered injury issues in his first year as a cornerback.

Finally, in 2005, Wade got an opportunity to play a full season and began to adjust to his new position. By the time he was a senior, Wade was going against star receivers such as LSU’s Dwayne Bowe and more than holding his own.

“He really made a nice transition from a guy who was a converted receiver to playing the position at a high level in the SEC,” Linehan said.

In his time at Tennessee, Wade had 110 tackles with six interceptions and 19 pass breakups.

For the Rams, Wade will be expected to develop in time. At 5’10; Linehan isn’t concerned with his size. The Rams drafted Tye Hill in the first round last year and he seems set to be a starter for the long term.

But aside from Hill, there could be plenty of competition for the other starting job. Wade probably will get the opportunity to compete and add depth to the roster.

“I like the idea of having great speed out there on the field to match up with the receivers we see week in and week out,” Linehan said. “With his upside, this is one of those guys that could be a home run with his raw talent.”

The Rams head into Sunday’s final rounds armed with four more picks, one in the fourth and sixth and two compensatory choices in the seventh round. More than likely, the team will search to fill some more needs, including adding a pass rushing threat and perhaps a developmental receiver.