Rams' first draft pick could come from any position, Martz says

ST. LOUIS -- Though linebacker and cornerback are the Rams' greatest needs, the team vowed Wednesday that its top draft pick could come from virtually any position.

Coach Mike Martz said they'll take the ubiquitous best player available when the 12th overall selection rolls around on Saturday, disregarding present strengths and weaknesses.

Martz said the Rams could take a quarterback, even though they have Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger. Or a defensive tackle, even though they picked a pair in the first round in 2001. Or an offensive lineman, even though they're well-stocked after several offseason moves.

"It sounds like I'm tap-dancing, but to pick this high you just can't identify need," Martz said. "If one of the top three needs we have happens to show there, it'll be exciting because we can have both.

"Whoever we pick, everybody's going to be excited about because he'll be a terrific player."

The most likely first-round pick appears to be either Georgia linebacker Boss Bailey or Washington State cornerback Marcus Trufant, who already might be off the board.

Depth on defense

The last four first-round picks -- linebacker Robert Thomas last year and linemen Damione Lewis and Ryan Pickett plus safety Adam Archuleta in 2001 -- filled needs on defense.

This year the Rams also need depth at wide receiver, with Ricky Proehl departed and free-agent pickup Terrence Wilkins a bust last year. Martz, the architect of the Rams' high-flying offense from 1999-2001, rejected suggestions that he could use the first-round pick as a personal "toy."

"I really resent that word," Martz said. "I just don't see any aspects of a player as a toy for me. If we draft an offensive player, it's because we feel he can help us win, not because it's fun for me to draft him."

If Cal quarterback Kyle Boller is still around for the 12th pick, the Rams would be sorely tempted.

"The fever factor is never monitored," general manager Charley Armey said. "How high is your fever for the player you're to get?"

But Martz also prizes several offensive and defensive linemen. As many as eight offensive linemen could go in the first round.

"Could we take an offensive lineman? You betcha," Martz said. "If one of those top-notch guys is there as a defensive linemen, you'd be remiss in not taking them.

"Really, you can't rule out anything and we're not."

Martz said offensive tackle Orlando Pace's situation doesn't factor into draft-day decisions. The Rams placed a franchise tag on Pace after negotiations on a long-term deal broke down.

"We're counting that over the course of next year we'll get that resolved," Martz said. "I prefer not to think about life after Orlando at this point."

As intriguing as the first round might be, Martz said he actually was just as excited about Day 2, when the Rams have eight of their 11 picks, four of them compensatory selections.

Martz noted prior second-day draft successes such as Brandon Manumaleuna, a fourth-rounder in 2001 who'll be the starting tight end this season, and wide receiver Az-Zahir Hakim, a fourth-rounder in 1998 who's now with Detroit.

"They come from everywhere," Martz said. "You just don't know where these guys are going to come from."