The NFC West recorded three picks in the first round of the NFL draft, with the Los Angeles Rams trading back completely out of Round 1.

A mixed bag for rivals San Francisco 49ers and Arizona Cardinals, with the Grey Zabel pick for the Seattle Seahawks being highly praised.

Here’s a quick round up of the expert draft grades following the conclusion of Round 1.

San Francisco 49ers – Mykel Williams, Edge

Bleacher Report: C
FOX Sports: B-
Sports Illustrated: B-
CBS Sports: B
The Athletic: A
USA Today: B
And finally, Danny Kelly at the Ringer : C+

Arizona Cardinals – Walter Nolan, DL

Bleacher Report: A
FOX Sports: C+
Sports Illustrated: B
CBS Sports: B
The Athletic: B-
USA Today: B+
The Ringer: C

Seattle Seahawks – Grey Zabel, OL

Bleacher Report: A
FOX Sports: A-
Sports Illustrated: B+
CBS Sports: B
The Athletic: A+ (!)
USA Today: B-
The Ringer: B
Pro Football Network: A

Let’s dig a little deeper into the Seahawks praise.

Here’s why The Athletic gave a glowing review:

One of the smartest players in this class, Zabel played every position along the offensive line in college — and did so at a high level. He turned down big-time NIL money to stay at North Dakota State, then ultimately dominated at the Senior Bowl as arguably the best offensive lineman there.

For a team like Seattle, which has been trying to fix the interior of its offensive line for a half-decade now, this feels like an elite pick. Zabel (who helped run his family farm in college and will continue to do so during NFL offseasons) is one of the draft’s hardest workers. He’s a high-floor player who fills multiple needs for the Seahawks — an awesome pick here and a great fit.

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Grade: A-plus

More insight from Pro Football Network:

There was talk that the Seahawks were eyeing a trade down at 18th overall, but in the end, they stood firm and selected Grey Zabel. Zabel was my 19th overall prospect, and he fills perhaps the Seahawks’ biggest need with Sam Darnold now in tow, reinforcing their interior offensive line.

There’s always a little bit of trepidation with FCS prospects making the jump to the NFL, but Zabel projects especially well on the interior. At 6’6”, 315 pounds, he’s quick, explosive, and malleable in recovery, with unnaturally easy flexibility and leverage acquisition. He can channel those athletic traits into impressive closing range and driving power.

Zabel will need to keep upping his play strength at the NFL level, but he has the athleticism, wicked hands, and tenacious road-grader mentality to prove he belongs, and he could feasibly grow into a quality starter at either guard or center.

This is the second year in a row the Seahawks have stuck with their mid-round pick and taken a player on the line of scrimmage. It unquestionably fills the biggest need on the team, and consensus at the moment was that Gray Zabel wasn’t an excessive reach, either. Hopefully John Schneider hit that beautiful space where need meets talent, as Zabel has been mocked to Seattle for nearly a month now.