Quality Over Quantity: Rams Most Improved in NFC West
Nate Bain/Digital Media Manager
Bleacher Report's Most Improved Team in Each NFL Division After Early Free Agency
Through the first big wave of free agency, Bleacher Report has named the Los Angeles Rams the offseason's most improved team in the NFC West division.
The Rams kickstarted their 2017 by hiring a new head coach in Sean McVay. The NFL's youngest head coach quickly recruited defensive coordinator Wade Phillips (Broncos) and offensive coordinator Matt LeFleur (Falcons) to join him in L.A.
McVay's first order of business was improving the offense and bringing in a veteran presence to the locker room.
According to Bleacher Report's analysis:
The Los Angeles Rams didn't necessarily make huge waves in free agency, and they didn't sign as many outside free agents as the divisional-rival San Francisco 49ers. But ... The Rams provided QB Jared Goff with an experienced new left tackle in Andrew Whitworth, who's coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons in Cincinnati. They also replaced top receiver Kenny Britt with the younger Robert Woods, who at least gives them more ceiling space at that position.
These free agency moves give fans in Los Angeles a reason to smile heading into April's NFL Draft. The Rams first selection will come at No. 37 in the second round on Friday, April 28. The Rams are currently the only NFC West team without a first round draft pick.
Bleacher Report explained its NFC West choice by stating:
While the Niners signed a lot of players, including two quarterbacks and potential offensive difference-makers Pierre Garcon and Kyle Juszczyk, it does look like San Fran took more of a quantity-over-quality approach. And those quarterbacks—Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley—are not seen as long-term solutions.
There wasn't a lot of room for the Seattle Seahawks to improve, and the Arizona Cardinals might have taken a step backward after losing defenders Calais Campbell, Tony Jefferson, D.J. Swearinger, Alex Okafor and Kevin Minter. San Francisco and Los Angeles undoubtedly got better, but the Rams can exit free agency with fewer concerns.
