Quality Over Quantity: Rams Most Improved in NFC West

[CGI_Ram]

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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 providedm 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.

 

[DaveFan'51]

I'll take Quality every time!!

 

[Merlin]

Rams' biggest problem was their terrible offensive staff that were not on the same page, gameplanned at a "high school" level, and who led/allowed Fish to think they could actually contend with a backup QB. This looks to have been fixed with the addition of a young offensive mind who is very dynamic and who seems to be a natural leader given the quality of the staff he has assembled.

Their next biggest problem was an OL that couldn't run or pass block. While I think some of their problems were due to the above, fact is LT was a turnstile, C got overpowered, RT looked like he was playing on one leg, and everyone else took their turns making mistakes. I honestly can't recall a line as bad as last year's, gotta go back to some of our worst seasons and it's close even then. Not going to say it's fixed, however we have gone from a pile of feces to above average at LT. The line has been significantly upgraded on that alone, and if they can find a starting Center in this draft it might come together this year pretty well.

Third biggest problem was a mix of QB and pass catchers. This was of course affected by the first and second issues, but the nice thing here is that the QB position has legitimate starting talent. Goff has to have a statement second season, and if he does things look great for us. If not, it's a rebuild. WR and TE is the same deal, with unproven talent that will need to step up for us to win.

So IMO we've gone from a team that didn't have a chance due to critical offensive shortfalls to a team that has a chance to grow into something worth watching. That's a pretty good offseason and when you look at the addition of Phillips as DC it's hard to find another team who has improved as much as the Rams have. On paper of course, so for those who are paranoid they have good reason to be. But I'm pretty stoked right now and can't wait for the draft.