But general manager Billy Devaney realizes it might take a miracle for that to happen. After all, there hasn't been a trade involving a top-five pick since 2004, and that was a unique situation because of the Eli Manning-Philip Rivers trade between the Giants and Chargers.

"If you were a betting person, you would think that's probably going to be the case this year," Devaney said of the chances for any team making a trade.

The extra money involved, plus giving up extra choices is a deterrent for teams to trade up, especially when there is a true shortage of impact players.

Said Devaney, "Teams usually aren't in that position where they feel, 'OK, there's just one guy that we have to have. There's one guy who's absolutely worth the first or second pick in the draft.'

"There's usually better options that are lower in the first round. Where the price tag is significantly lower, and talent-wise, it's not that big of a drop-off."

So it is that the Rams will likely keep that second pick, and most likely they will choose between tackles Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe. While linebacker Aaron Curry and wide receiver Michael Crabtree might be tempting, the Rams currently have Alex Barron and Adam Goldberg at left and right tackle, respectively, and 2009 is the final year of the disappointing Barron's contract.

Hoping for a tackle in the second round is a dangerous strategy, considering there were eight first-round tackles in 2008 and none taken in the second round.

While the first pick gets most of the notice, the ensuing choices are just as important, especially on a team that has won a total of five games in two seasons.

As Devaney acknowledged, "Teams picking at the top -- the first two, three picks of the draft -- as a rule aren't very good. There's a reason why they're picking there. And one player's not going to make an immediate difference. Those teams would love to trade back, get more players. They need better players on their roster."

TEAM NEEDS: Offensive tackle, middle linebacker, wide receiver, defensive line.

OT -- With left tackle Orlando Pace having been released and Barron entering the final year of his contract, a revamping of the position is possible. It could be argued that the Rams need two tackles. In the short term, the Rams plan to move Barron from right tackle to left tackle, the position he played in college and for 15 games in 2007 when Pace was injured. That still leaves a void on the right side, where Goldberg worked in the team's recent minicamp.

MLB -- Will Witherspoon is moving from the middle to the outside where it is believed he will be able to excel. For now, Chris Draft is the starter, but he is not a long-term answer. The Rams have been looking for excellence in the middle ever since London Fletcher left after the 2001 season.

WR -- With Torry Holt and Drew Bennett released, there is no real veteran presence at the position. Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton return for their second season, and it's possible the Rams could add a receiver in free agency while still going for another young player in the draft. They did add third-year pro Laurent Robinson in a trade with Atlanta.

DL: There is very little depth behind tackles Adam Carriker and Clifton Ryan. At end, Chris Long was selected with the second overall choice last year, but Leonard Little and James Hall are aging. Victor Adeyanju is solid against the run, so a young speed rusher would be a welcome addition.