If you think you have a lot of pressure in your job, let's just say there are plenty of NFL head coaches who would gladly bet you that you're wrong. From the fans to the media to the owner, it's not exactly a walk in the park to guide an NFL franchise successfully in this day and age.
Heading into the 2014 NFL Draft you would think that there are a ton of new head coaches around the league that are already facing heat to get things right with such a deep draft class. NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah agrees that the pressure is already on for many of those guys, but it's a current coach who will really be under the microscope to get things right at Radio City Music Hall in May.
"I think he has more pressure on him than anybody else in this draft," Jeremiah said on NFL Network's "Path to the Draft". "How about the St. Louis Rams and Jeff Fisher? They get more draft picks from (the Robert Griffin III trade) and this is the last year. They have two (first-round) picks, No. 2 and No. 13. Eventually, with all these picks and this talented roster, this team needs to start winning football games and getting to the playoffs."
Part of the reason why the Rams ended up 7-9 last year was because of the loss of starting quarterback Sam Bradford to an ACL tear. There's talent on the roster to work with, however, and it's clear St. Louis fans are looking for a much improved squad no matter what shape their quarterback comes back in.
"They are in a very tough division, it's a big challenge for them," said Jeremiah. "They need a home run in this draft."
St. Louis holds 12 picks in the draft (tied for most of any team in the league) and could end up flipping the No. 2 overall selection into even more if the team finds the right trading partner. They're in search of impact players with their first-round picks though and it still remains to be seen what direction they end up going.
If the Houston Texans opt to select a quarterback with the first overall pick, the Rams could have the draft's best player fall into their lap in Jadeveon Clowney. He's not necessarily at a position of need with Robert Quinn and Chris Long on the roster, but Fisher seemed to take no issues with him being the pick by saying recently that you can't have too many pass rushers.
Indeed, it never hurts to have a guy as talented as Clowney chasing after Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick.
Offensive tackle, safety, cornerback and wide receiver are a few other positions Jeremiah sees the team needing to address through the draft. Adding Greg Robinson out of Auburn and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix from Alabama would be two nice young pieces for the Rams if that's how things play out in May.
Or, the team could follow analyst Charles Davis' recent mock draft and go with Sammy Watkins and Clinton-Dix in the first round.
Either way, no matter who St. Louis drafts this year, it could be a make-or-break situation for Fisher.
Follow Bryan Fischer on Twitter @BryanDFischer.
