What the 2014 NFL Draft Taught Us About the State of the NFL

The Brutal NFC West Somehow Got More Physical

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

For a long time the AFC North has been considered the black and blue division. But last year it became apparent that the NFC West had earned that title through some brutal inter divisional games and teams that are built around their defenses.

Everybody knows about the Seahawks and 49ers punishing style but the Cardinals and Rams—St. Louis recently hired Greg ‘Bounty Gate’ Williams as their defensive coordinator– have punishing styles that attempt to imposed their will physically.

During the draft the physicality arm race continued with Rams selecting the massive Greg Robinson with the second pick and the best defensive tackle in Aaron Donald at 13. The Cardinals weren’t to be out done selecting hard hitting safety Deon Buchannan and massive tight end Troy Nikals. Feeling left out of the party the 49ers brought in the beef on day two by drafting 230 running back Carlos Hyde who describes his running style as “violent” and 330 pound center Mark Martin.

The only team that didn’t select a bunch of hard-hitting players was the Seahawks. But they already have the Legion of Boom and Marshawn Lynch so no one is questioning their ability to play physical. Not only is the NFC West the best division in football it is also the most violent and this year’s draft proved the NFC West is here to stay.