Niner Noise
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NFL power rankings: 32-team breakdown after the 2018 NFL Draft

By Peter Panacy

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a pick by the Baltimore Ravens during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announces a pick by the Baltimore Ravens during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 01: Michigan State offensive lineman Brian Allen speaks to the media during NFL Combine press conferences at the Indiana Convention Center on March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 01: Michigan State offensive lineman Brian Allen speaks to the media during NFL Combine press conferences at the Indiana Convention Center on March 1, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

51. . Last Rank: 1. . Los Angeles Rams. 1. team

Best Pick: C Brian Allen, Michigan State

The Los Angeles Rams spent their offseason efforts putting together the No. 1 team in our NFL power rankings via trades and free agency. Not the NFL Draft, which is why they didn’t hold a selection until Round 3.

It’s a win-now approach, and all signs point to L.A. trying to do just that. Standout defenders like Ndamukong Suh, Marcus Peters, Aqib Talib as well as wide receiver Brandin Cooks should only serve to improve what was an 11-5 team under first-year head coach Sean McVay a year ago.

Of course, it could all blow up in the Rams’ faces. But not likely.

The bigger risk is sacrificing the “tomorrow,” which the Rams appear to have done. At least on paper.

That’s a problem for another day, though, but at least L.A. looked to find eventual replacements for its offensive line now instead of later. TCU offensive tackle Joseph Noteboom (Round 3) and Michigan State center Brian Allen (Round 4) are eventual replacements for an aging cast like Andrew Whitworth and John Sullivan.

Next: 49ers' biggest winners & losers from the 2018 NFL Draft

Even if the aforementioned offseason free-agent/trade additions aren’t here in a year or two, at least the Rams will have quarterback Jared Goff protected for a while.