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St. Louis Rams 7-round mock draft

By Joe Lipovich

Nov 29, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A detailed view of the St. Louis Rams logo on the jersey of wide receiver Isiah Ferguson (2) at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 31-7. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A detailed view of the St. Louis Rams logo on the jersey of wide receiver Isiah Ferguson (2) at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 31-7. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 5, 2015; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers safety Karl Joseph stands in the secondary during the fourth quarter against the Georgia Southern Eagles at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Morgantown, WV, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers safety Karl Joseph stands in the secondary during the fourth quarter against the Georgia Southern Eagles at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 3: Karl Joseph, Safety, West Virginia

With safeties Mark Barron and Rodney McLeod becoming free agents next season, the safety position could be filled by West Virginia safety Karl Joseph.

Much like Barron, Joseph is a physical, hard-hitting safety. Joseph forced six fumbles in his career as a Mountaineer while also recording 274 tackles in his four years monitoring the back end.

What makes Joseph different is that he can cover and make plays. Joseph lead the nation with five interceptions this season before tearing his ACL in practice. He has eight interceptions on his career and shined while playing on some pretty terrible defenses.

Joseph’s elite closing speed made him one of the most feared defenders in the Big 12 before his injury occurred. He has a nose for the football, great leadership skills, and easily possesses second-round talent.

However, his ACL injury could be a cause for concern. Joseph remained relatively injury free during his college career and started every game for the Mountaineers until he was injured during his senior season. He also has a tendency to be beaten deep down the field, though an elite pass rush should alleviate those concerns.

Joseph’s injury concerns may take him out of the first and second rounds, but should not take him of St. Louis’ draft board completely. St. Louis is looking at a player with elite instincts, something that many safeties lack coming out of college.

Next: Round 4: Jack Allen

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