For the second time in two days the St. Louis Rams selected a West Virginia wide receiver, expending a third-round pick on Stedman Bailey.
The Rams traded up to nab Tavon Austin in Thursday’s first round with the No. 8 pick, and on Friday they used the 92nd overall selection on Bailey. Both players made 114 catches last season at WVU, forming an unmatched duo.
“Both of them had outstanding workouts,” said Rams coach Jeff Fisher. “We had them on the board based on their grades, not based on what school they attended. (Bailey) was up there. He was high and it was a great opportunity for us.
“What we’ve done now is we’ve filled a couple of spots out there. We’re going to lobby with the league to see if we can play with more than one ball. We’re going to need more than one ball.”
Bailey was a Biletnikoff Award finalist who led the nation with 25 receiving touchdowns. Though Bailey’s measurables didn’t show the kind of burner speed Austin has, he was able to get behind defensive backs in college.