Niner Noise
FanSided

NFC West power rankings heading into the 2018 offseason

By Peter Panacy

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Lance Dunbar #25 of the Los Angeles Rams runs in a touchdown past Ahkello Witherspoon #23, Adrian Colbert #38 and Dontae Johnson #36 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 31: Lance Dunbar #25 of the Los Angeles Rams runs in a touchdown past Ahkello Witherspoon #23, Adrian Colbert #38 and Dontae Johnson #36 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 31, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 24: Head Coach Sean McVay talks to Quarterback Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams in a game against the Tennessee Titians at Nissan Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 24: Head Coach Sean McVay talks to Quarterback Jared Goff #16 of the Los Angeles Rams in a game against the Tennessee Titians at Nissan Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

51. . 2017 Record: 11-5. . Los Angeles Rams. 1. team

What a difference a Sean McVay makes, right? Or a Jeff Fisher-less team. You make the call.

Regardless, the Rams’ turnaround was pretty remarkable. McVay, the youngest head coach in NFL history, turned around a perceived bust in quarterback Jared Goff, getting him a Pro Bowl nod and likely setting the L.A. offense up well for the foreseeable future.

Of course, it helps when the Rams have a solid offensive line and an MVP candidate in running back Todd Gurley.

What a turnaround in his career too. Wow!

The Rams may have stumbled in the playoffs after clinching the NFC West. But give them the full season under McVay’s tutelage plus the postseason experience, and there’s little reason to expect them back in the hunt this year.

And with nearly $41 million in available cap space, they don’t have to worry just yet about cap casualties and massive free-agent departures. Cornerback Trumaine Johnson and wide receiver Sammy Watkins could both depart, be re-signed or one gets the franchise tag. But it’s not an end-of-the-world scenario by any means.

Reasons to Be Excited

McVay worked wonders his first year as head coach. And with a predominantly young team, his Rams should be well prepared for 2018 too.

There are three players to keep eyes on this season — Goff, Gurley and defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

The wrecking force that is Donald, a three-time first-team All-Pro in consecutive seasons, is due a massive contract extension. The Rams have enough cap space to make something work now, locking up the 26 year old while he’s playing on the final year of his rookie contract.

As some may argue Donald is the best defensive player in the NFL right now, it would be money well spent.

Reasons to Worry

The feeling in L.A. has to be pretty good right now, especially considering the three other NFC West teams have far more questions to answer. But the Rams aren’t exactly perfect.

Johnson might be the biggest free-agent worry the team has to consider, as Watkins played second fiddle to wide receivers Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp. Yet either a lucrative contract or franchise tag may endanger L.A.’s abilities to sign Donald to a long-term deal. That’s where the math gets tough.

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Serviceable center John Sullivan is a free agent and needs to be replaced. And the Rams need some solid run stuffers to get away from that ugly mark of 4.7 rush yards per carry (30th in the NFL).

These are relatively minor problems, though, and it shouldn’t be too difficult for the Rams to maintain their hold on the NFC West this season.

Next: NFL power rankings: 2018 offseason quarterback edition

2018 Prediction: 12-4