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 Draft Day Needs: NFC West
by Chris Brophy
23/4/2008
Arizona Cardinals: Defensive backfield seems to be the Cardinals biggest need. After a season where they approached respectability the bigger question might be can the Cardinals handle drafting this low down?
Antrel Rolle looks like he will make the switch to free safety so cornerback appears to be the big hole to fill at DB although it’s not unthinkable that if they go elsewhere that a safety could be added later and the Rolle transfer canceled. Other than that, an heir apparent for Edge James would make a lot of sense, someone who can share time for a year before taking over the mantle would be ideal. The other big addition that could be possible early is another young offensive tackle, possibly to challenge Mike Gandy or slide in at RT allowing last years top selection, Levi Brown, to slide over to the left side.
The later rounds should see a WR added given the team lost Bryant Johnson to the division rival 49ers.
Saint Louis Rams: A team badly hurt by loss of form and injuries last year looks to the draft to add an impact lineman. It could well be an offensive addition but given they have Orlando Pace to return from injury and spent a top choice on Alex Barron last draft, I see defensive line as their ultimate need this draft. Adding another DT or DE is the likely pick to go along with the returning Leonard Little and up and coming Adam Carriker.
I could actually see the Rams top two choices going on the defensive line but if they go elsewhere on day one, it could well be linebacker, where they need someone to make plays.
The O-line will get some attention but given the defensive needs, I suspect it will come in the latter rounds of the ’08 draft.
San Francisco 49ers: The Niners defense badly lacks a blue chip pass rusher but without a first round selection, they will have their work cut out to find one. Still, D-line has depth in this draft and there are several prospects who project as 3-4 LB/4-3 DE who might find a home in San Francisco by the time round two comes around.
Assuming that is addressed early, then more offensive line help could well be on the way. Larry Allen is likely to retire, Justin Smiley left in free agency and Kwame Harris also moved on although it could be argued that last move is addition by subtraction. More bodies are needed regardless.
Wide receiver seems to have been a 49ers need for a long time now, they did add Issac Bruce and Bryant Johnson in the off-season but could still be an area the Niners target lower down in the draft.
Seattle Seahawks: This could be a very offensive minded draft for the Seahawks even though you could hardly call their offense an obvious weakness. It’s just running out of legs (age) in certain areas. Wide receiver has veteran Bobby Engram coming off a career year but can he reproduce at that level again? It also has the worry of Deion Branch not being able to go in 2008 because of a serious knee injury. Add in the departure of DJ Hackett and some new faces are needed for a receiving corps that always uses a lot of bodies.
Tight end could use a playmaker too. The Hawks did add Jeb Putzier recently but is he really the answer? Picking at #25, one of the top TE prospects is almost certain to be there for the taking and the Seahawks could well be tempted.
With all the off-season additions made at running back, I doubt a pick is made at that position, more likely the lower rounds will see some young offensive line projects brought in to try and develop behind the ageing Chris Gray and Walter Jones.
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