NFL Mock Draft 2013: Keenan Allen could be ideal weapon at No. 22

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The St. Louis Rams need weapons with which to surround quarterback Sam Bradford, who will be entering his fourth year in 2013. At pick No. 22, former Cal wide receiver Keenan Allen could be just the man for the job.

Allen is a versatile threat who can do a little bit of everything at 6’2, 206 pounds. He is coming off an injury-filled season but, if he gets healthy, he could be a steal late in the first round.

He’s that good.

In his third and final season at Cal, he caught 61 balls for 737 yards and six touchdowns. As a sophomore, a more healthy Allen totaled 98 receptions for 1,343 yards and six touchdowns. The Rams, or any team that drafts him, will have to consider his injury, but he could be an impact player immediately.

The Rams had hoped that last year’s second-round selection, wide receiver Brian Quick, would be the playmaker they needed to take the next step on offense, but it didn’t pan out that way, at least in year one. He had just 11 catches for 156 yards and two touchdowns in 11 games.

Though he’s not close to being a bust and shouldn’t be written off just yet, another potential No. 1 threat would only push the former Appalachian State star to be better.

In 2012, the Rams were 25th in the NFL in scoring offense with 18.7 points per game. In the passing game, they ranked 18th in passing yards (3,550) and touchdowns (22).