2013 NFL Draft: Larry Warford was considered by Rams in first round

The Detroit Lions got quite a steal in the third round by taking Kentucky offensive guard Larry Warford. Just how big of a steal was this pick? It came out in the latest issue of Sports Illustrated (via ESPN) that Warford was among the players the St. Louis Rams considered with their second first-round pick.

The Rams took Tavon Austin at No. 8, and they later moved down from 22nd to 30th overall for their second first-rounder. At No. 30, the Rams were hoping to land Georgia linebacker Alec Ogletree. Their No. 1 backup plan was UCLA defensive end Datone Jones, but he was picked by the Green Bay Packers 26th overall. That left Warford as their new fallback option to Ogletree, according to Peter King.

In the end, the Rams got their top target, as Ogletree was there for them to take at No. 30. He was actually one of the players the Denver Broncos considered with the 28th overall pick, but they went with North Carolina defensive tackle Sylvester Williams instead. Had Denver decided to take Ogletree, Warford would have apparently been the Rams' pick at No. 30.

Considering the Lions were able to land Warford with the 65th overall pick, things worked out quite well for them. The Rams didn't have a second-rounder, and they didn't go back on the clock until the 71st overall pick. As a result, the Lions were able to get Warford before the Rams had another shot at him. In turn, the Lions landed a player who easily could have been a first-round pick.