Day 1 of the 2018 NFL Draft has come to a close and 32 top-tier college prospects can now call themselves NFL players. While most clubs spent the day making their selections, the Rams were one of three teams without a first-round pick — owning the No. 87 overall pick in the third round.
Los Angeles may have had a quiet kickoff to the league's marquee offseason event, but it was an exciting night for the NFC West as a whole. Here's how it all unfolded for San Francisco, Seattle, and Arizona.
Check out photos of top prospects in each position ahead of the 2018 NFL Draft. (AP Photos)
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
With the No. 9 overall selection, San Francisco picked up Notre Dame's Mike McGlinchey — a player who was widely considered the top tackle in this year's draft. After signing franchise quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to a long-term extension earlier this year, the club made sure to bring in a young stud to protect him.
The versatile lineman has experience at both left and right tackle through his four seasons in South Bend, but he is expected to take over on the right side in San Francisco.
In his final season at Notre Dame, McGlinchey anchored the offensive line on the left side leading the Fighting Irish to their best rushing offense since the Lou Holtz era (3,501 rushing yards, 6.25 yards per rush, and 269.3 rushing yards per game).
ARIZONA CARDINALS
The Cardinals made waves by trading up from No. 15 to select their new franchise quarterback, Josh Rosen, as the 10th overall pick. The UCLA product is a true pocket passer, similar to Arizona's former signal-caller Carson Palmer — who retired after the 2017 season.
Rosen amassed 9,300 passing yards and 59 touchdowns for a 139.9 overall quarterback rating in his college career. He led the Bruins to several of their most impressive wins in recent history, including a 34-point comeback over Texas A&M last season.
With his clean footwork, mechanics, and big arm, his skillset is projected to translate very well into the league. And though Arizona signed quarterback Sam Bradford to a one-year deal during free agency, Rosen could compete for a starting job in 2018.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
While the Cardinals traded up for their pick, the Seahawks traded down for the second-consecutive season — this time from No. 18 to No. 27. Not since 2011 has Seattle held onto its original first-round selection.
In 2018, general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll drafted running back Rashaad Penny out of San Diego State. The Mountain West Offensive and Special Teams Player of the Year led the NCAA in rushing yards (2,027) and all-purpose yards (2,698).
The versatile running back will be a valuable asset on special teams after averaging 30 yards per kickoff return, with seven returned for touchdowns throughout his college career. Plus, Penny should help to boost a Seattle ground game that produced just one rushing touchdown by a player other than quarterback Russell Wilson in 2017.
