The NFC West got better last weekend… a lot better.
While the Rams should relish their repeat, the Cardinals and 49ers picking atop every round was a constant reminder that there are three improving teams gunning for L.A.
Including Seattle, divisions rivals made six picks before the Rams made their first; 10 total selections before the Rams took running back Darrell Henderson with their second choice. Arizona brought in a franchise-record 11 draft picks over the weekend.
Even if their success rate proves to be lower than L.A.'s, it would be naïve to ignore the competition's additional "shots at the basket," to borrow Les Snead's new pet phrase.
Here are some other reactions to the what the NFC West competition did last week.
Check out the guys who make up the 2019 Los Angeles Rams draft class!
Photo: Alika Jenner
Photo: Alika Jenner
Photo: Alika Jenner
Photo: Alika Jenner
The University of Washington takes on Stanford at Husky Stadium on Saturday, November 3, 2018 in Seattle.
Memphis running back Darrell Henderson runs for a touchdown against Central Florida during the first half of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Memphis running back Darrell Henderson runs for a touchdown in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Navy, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Memphis running back Darrell Henderson (8) runs for a touchdown against Central Florida during the first half of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Memphis running back Darrell Henderson (8) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Navy, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Memphis running back Darrell Henderson (8) scores a touchdown on a 14-yard run against East Carolina in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Michigan defensive back David Long, left, intercepts a pass attempt in the end zone in front of Maryland wide receiver Taivon Jacobs in the first half of an NCAA college football game in College Park, Md., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
The University of Michigan men's football team defeats Western Michigan University, 49-3, at the Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, MI on September 8, 2018
Michigan defensive back David Long (22) celebrates his interception against Penn State in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
The University of Michigan football team defeats Northwestern University, 20-17, at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois on September 29, 2018.
Michigan Wolverines cornerback David Long (22) warms up before an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Oklahoma Sooners offensive tackle Bobby Evans (71) blocks Texas Longhorns safety B.J. Foster (25) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, in Dallas, Texas. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
10/06/2018 Oklahoma vs Texas football. Photo by Ty Russell
10/27/2018 Oklahoma v Kansas State football. Photo by Joshua R. Gateley
12/01/2018 Oklahoma vs Texas Big 12 Championship Football at AT&T Stadium. Photo by Ty Russell
Oklahoma Sooners offensive tackle Bobby Evans (71) waits for the snap against the Texas Longhonrs during the first half of the NCAA Big 12 Conference football championship, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. Oklahoma defeated Texas 39-27. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Washington's Greg Gaines sacks UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
The University of Washington football team plays Utah on November 18, 2017.(Photography by Scott Eklund/Red Box Pictures)
Photo: Alika Jenner
The University of Washington football team plays North Dakota on September 8, 2018. (Photography by Scott Eklund/Red Box Pictures)
The University of Washington football team plays WSU in the Apple Cup in Seattle on November 25, 2017. (Photography by Scott Eklund/Red Box Pictures)
FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2018 file photo Wisconsin offensive lineman David Edwards, center, blocks Iowa defensive end Chauncey Golston, left, from quarterback Alex Hornibrook, right, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Iowa City. A loss at the Big House left Hornibrook and his teammates reassessing their goals. The playoffs are now out of reach for the 23rd-ranked Badgers after getting blown out at Michigan, though they still control their destiny in the Big Ten West. Win their last six regular season games, starting on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018 against visiting Illinois, and the Badgers will go back to Indianapolis for the conference title game in December. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney, file)
Wisconsin offensive lineman David Edwards, left, blocks Iowa defensive end Chauncey Golston, right, during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018, in Iowa City. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)
Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman David Edwards (79) during an NCAA College Football game against the Brigham Young University Cougars Saturday, September 16, 2017, in Provo, Utah. The Badgers won 40-6. (Photo by David Stluka)
Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman David Edwards (79) during an NCAA College Football game against the Brigham Young University Cougars Saturday, September 16, 2017, in Provo, Utah. The Badgers won 40-6. (Photo by David Stluka)
Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman David Edwards (79) blocks during an NCAA College Big Ten Conference football game against the Michigan Wolverines Saturday, November 18, 2017, in Madison, Wis. The Badgers won 24-10. (Photo by David Stluka)
Penn State safety Nick Scott (4) gets an interception during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Bloomington, Ind. Penn State won 33-28. (AP Photo/Doug McSchooler)
Penn State safety Nick Scott follows a play against Kentucky during the second half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Penn State's Nick Scott (4) picks up a fumbled punt return by Indiana's J-Shun Harris (5) and takes it in for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Knight)
Texas Tech linebacker Dakota Allen (40) celebrates after a stop on fourth down during the Birmingham Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017 in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Albert Cesare)
Keeping up with the Ramses
Of Arizona's 11 picks, the Cardinals took seven offensive players, and five at the skill positions. Makes sense, having finished dead last in scoring.
The 49ers took receivers in the second and third rounds, after acquiring defensive end Nick Bosa in the first to pair with Pro Bowler DeForest Buckner.
The Seahawks went defense with their first two selections, but ultimately took three receivers and a tailback, as well.
You get the sense that the West feels the pressure of the Rams not only running away with the division, but leading the NFC in scoring in back-to-back campaigns. All three opponents invested heavily in keeping pace with the Rams on the scoreboard.
Goodbye, Doug Baldwin?
In drafting D.K. Metcalf and Gary Jennings, the Seahawks seemed to be hedging against the potential retirement of Pro Bowl receiver Doug Baldwin.
Historically, the Rams have defended Baldwin better than any other defense in the West. However, he'll always have my respect as one of the most dynamic and cerebral competitors in the division. It will be a shame if we don't get to see him twice per season moving forward.
Not As Sad to See Rosen Go
I really thought Josh Rosen was ready to take the same second-year leap that Jared Goff made in 2017 and Mitchell Trubisky took in 2018 with the Bears.
He still might; it just won't be with Kliff Kingsbury and the Cardinals.
Kyler Murray may make me eat these words down the road, but for now, it feels like the Rams caught a break.
If nothing else, Arizona strangely failed to maximize Rosen's trade value.
December Dessert Duel
When Murray officially became the top pick, I was reminded of yet another perk of the 2019 schedule: The Rams don't face the Cardinals until December.
Admittedly, I wanted L.A. to play Arizona in a Monday Night Football opener.
First-time NFL head coach, rookie quarterback making NFL debut? Allow me to introduce you to Aaron Donald.
That didn't happen, but the upshot is that Kingsbury and Murray will be a known commodity come Week 13. The Rams defensive staff will sleep better having watched nearly a full season of film on the revamped Cardinals, as opposed to the guesswork that a MNF opener would have entailed.
Punters Can Be Draft Picks, Too
From covering the Pac-12, I sure do love me some Mitch Wishnowsky.
But 110th overall, San Francisco?
Johnny Hekker probably deserves a commission from the signing bonuses of Wishnowsky and Seattle punter Michael Dickson, who went 149th to the Seahawks last April (and was First Team All-Pro as a rookie).
Surely, the constant exposure to Hekker's game-changing ability over the years made division rivals more willing to invest draft capital in that position?
