ST. LOUIS -- From No. 2 overall pick Greg Robinson to No. 250 Demetrius Rhaney -- the first and last picks by the Rams and within the division as well -- the rugged NFC West looks like it got even stronger during the seven rounds of the 2014 NFL Draft.
The division that in 2013 had the Super Bowl champion, two playoff teams, three teams with winning records and a fourth team (yes, St. Louis) that finished just below .500 could be even better this fall, even though that will be difficult. All four organizations added pieces during the three days of the draft that should help them in 2014 and beyond.
Let's take a quick look at how the NFC West's potentially fearsome foursome fared on Thursday, Friday and Saturday:
1. ST. LOUIS RAMS
Selections: Auburn OT Greg Robinson (No. 2 overall), Pittsburgh DT Aaron Donald (13), Florida State DB Lamarcus Joyner (41), Auburn RB Tre Mason (75), Utah State S Maurice Alexander (110), Missouri CB E.J. Gaines (188), SMU QB Garrett Gilbert (214), Portland State OT Mitchell Van Dyk (226), Ohio State DB Christian Bryant (241), Missouri DE Michael Sam (249), Tennessee State C Demetrius Rhaney (250)
Best pick: Robinson. At No. 2 overall, the Rams had their choice of the top two offensive tackles in the draft, Robinson and Texas A&M's Jake Matthews. The Tigers' mammoth mauler should immediately help improve their run game and in time emerge as a franchise left tackle.
Don't count out: Alexander. The local product has a great back story -- he used to clean the Edward Jones Dome after Rams games as a janitor -- but his highlight films show the 220-pound safety flies to the football and makes an impact when he gets there.
How did they get better: The Rams addressed their primary needs on the offensive line (Robinson) and in the secondary (Joyner, Alexander and Gaines) and made the strength of their team, the defensive line, even better with the addition of the disruptive Donald at defensive tackle.
Grade: A. The Rams needed to continue to add talent to a team that has yet to crack the .500 mark under Jeff Fisher, and they did just that.
2. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Selections: Northern Illinois S Jimmie Ward (30), Ohio State RB Carlos Hyde (57), USC C Marcus Martin (70), Wisconsin LB Chris Borland (77), Clemson OL Brandon Thomas (100), South Carolina WR Bruce Ellington (106), N.C. State CB Dontae Johnson (129), South Florida DE Aaron Lynch (150), Florida Atlantic CB Keith Reaser (170), SMU CB Kenneth Acker (180), Boston College DE Kaleb Ramsey (243), Oklahoma FB Trey Millard (245)
Best pick: Hyde. The 230-pounder from Ohio State gives the 49ers a big, bruising running back with whom they can pound the ball and play the physical kind of football that has been a hallmark of Jim Harbaugh's teams. Frank Gore is 30, and his 4.1 yards per carry in 2013 was the lowest mark of his nine-year career. Hyde can spell Gore at times this season and then eventually take over as the go-to guy.
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Don't count out: Borland. One of the 49ers' three third-rounders, the linebacker from Wisconsin was likely downgraded by some teams because of his height (5-foot-11), but he could be a steal. Linebacker NaVorro Bowman, their leading tackler, suffered a knee injury in the NFC Championship Game and is expected to miss time this season. Borland could help fill that void until Bowman returns.
How did they get better: The 49ers didn't pick until 30th in the first round but still managed to make the most of their selections with good value, including Thomas, Reaser and Millard, who are coming off injuries and can rehab for an entire season. Martin could help make up for losing center Jonathan Goodwin, who started each game the past three seasons but remains an unsigned free agent. They also added wide receiver Stevie Johnson from the Bills in a trade for a conditional 2015 draft pick.
Grade: B+. With an already-loaded roster, San Francisco added several players who should contribute next season. The rich got richer.
3. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Selections: Colorado WR Paul Richardson (45), Missouri OL Justin Britt (64), UCLA DE Cassius Marsh (108), Alabama WR Kevin Norwood (123), Boston College LB Kevin Pierre-Louis (132), Middle Tennessee State DT Jimmy Staten (172), Marshall OT Garrett Scott (199), San Diego State S Eric Pinkins (208), Arkansas FB Kiero Small (227)
Best pick: Richardson. The speedster from Colorado fills a need for the Seahawks following the departure of leading receiver Golden Tate in free agency and gives Russell Wilson another weapon in the passing game. Richardson returned from a knee injury to catch 83 passes for 1,343 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final season with the Buffaloes.
Don't count out: Britt. The 6-6, 325-pounder out of Missouri went up against some of the best players in college football last season, including No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney, and more than held his own. There wasn't a lot of talk about Britt leading up to the draft, which made this a surprise selection late in Round 2. He looks like the kind of player who can develop and contribute at either tackle or guard.
How did they get better: The reigning Super Bowl champions have a strong track record of finding diamonds in the rough later in the draft and there could be a couple more in this bunch. Richardson and Norwood should help improve a passing game that struggled at times last season.
Grade: B. Seattle added a little bit of everything with this group despite not making its first selection until pick 13 of the second round. The Seahawks got value here and won't have to spend as much money without a first-round pick, which will help them re-sign other players.
4. ARIZONA CARDINALS
Selections: Washington State SS Deone Bucannon (27), Notre Dame TE Troy Niklas (52), North Carolina DE Kareem Martin (84), Pittsburg State WR John Brown (91), Virginia Tech QB Logan Thomas (120), Alabama DL Ed Stinson (160), Murray State WR Walter Powell (196)
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Best pick: Bucannon. He didn't have the name recognition of Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Calvin Pryor or Jimmie Ward going into this draft, but the Washington State product could end up being the best safety of the bunch. He's regarded as an old-school safety with good size who packs a punch.
Don't count out: Thomas. This guy has been a bit of a mystery during his years with the Hokies. He has great size (6-6, 248), athleticism (4.61 40 at the Scouting Combine) and a strong arm but has been inconsistent. Some think he'll wind up playing tight end.
How did they get better: The Cardinals had only seven picks, but their first four selections should contribute early. Niklas is a 270-pounder who could make an impact as a blocking tight end. Brown, a late third-rounder from small-school Pittsburg State in Kansas, is a small but explosive playmaker. He ran a 4.34 40 at the combine.
Grade: C. There isn't a lot of depth with this group but there is some value here and some guys who can be developed. Arizona added to its strong defense with Bucannon but didn't have as good of a draft as the other three teams in the division.
You can follow Nate Latsch on Twitter (@natelatsch) or email him at natelatsch@gmail.com.
