NFC West draft capsules

By Lou DiPietro  |   Tuesday, April 07, 2009  |  Comments( 3 )

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The NFC West was much maligned in 2008, with the 9-7 Arizona Cardinals winning the division and no other team finishing better than 7-9. Despite an up-and-down regular season, the Cardinals made it all the way to the Super Bowl, where they dropped a 27-23 nail-biter to the favored Pittsburgh Steelers. Here are draft capsules for the defending NFC champions and the rest of the West.

ST. LOUIS RAMS

Key Additions: QB Kyle Boller, C Jason Brown, FS James Butler
Key Losses: OT Orlando Pace, WR Torry Holt, WR Drew Bennett (Released)
Biggest Needs: OT, WR, LB, DB
First selection: No. 2 overall (Round 1)
Projected pick in latest RF365.com Mock Draft: OT Eugene Monroe, Virginia

Outlook: Just a few short years ago, St. Louis was the “Greatest Show on Turf.” But the head coach and several key elements of that show have been canceled, and after a 2-14 campaign that saw them drop their final 10 last season, the Rams look to a new coach -- former New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo -- and new hope in 2009.

And Spags has a lot of work to do. Defensively, the Rams need the most help in the secondary. While a good strongside linebacker and some depth on the interior line would be nice -- and would certainly help their awful rush defense -- their secondary is a mess. Safety O.J. Atogwe was franchised and the Rams re-signed Ronald Bartell, but CBs Ricky Manning Jr., Jason Craft and Fakhir Brown are all free agents. Free agent signee Butler will push Todd Johnson at the other safety spot, but corner is a concern.

Offensively, it’s easier to ask what they don’t need. The team still has faith in QB Marc Bulger and RB Steven Jackson, but Jackson has been injury prone of late and the signing of Boller may mean that Bulger isn’t as entrenched as people think. Beyond that, the receiving corps is thin. The releases of Holt and Bennett along with the free agency of Dane Looker and Dante Hall leaves the Rams with a pair of 2008 draftees, Keenan Burton and Donnie Avery, and their career total of 66 catches as their top wideouts.

But the real problem here is on the line; while Brown’s signing helps immensely, losing Pace is a huge blow and they need a franchise tackle. Good thing this draft is loaded there. Eugene Monroe is projected as their pick here, but if the Lions don’t take Baylor’s Jason Smith at No. 1, he could be the next Ram.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Key Additions: WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh, DT Colin Cole; DT Cory Redding (Acquired via trade)
Key Losses: OT Floyd Womack, DT Rocky Bernard, RB Maurice Morris; LB Julian Peterson (Traded)
Biggest Needs: WR, LB, DB
First selection: No. 4 overall (Round 1)
Projected pick in latest RF365.com Mock Draft: WR Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech

Outlook: Seattle struggled to a 4-12 record in 2008, but that was more about injuries than a lack of talent. QB Matt Hasselbeck and the entire receiving corps missed large chunks of time, and even a great defense will struggle with backups carrying the load on the other side of the ball.

But with the signing of T.J. Houshmandzadeh and an offseason of recovery for Deion Branch and Nate Burleson, their needs may have changed. Crabtree has been pegged as their guy for a long time in many mocks, but with one great and two very good receivers healthy, the Seahawks have other needs.

For one, their defense. While the trade of Julian Peterson shored up their line by bringing in Cory Redding, it left a big hole in the middle. The Seahawks franchised Leroy Hill, but they could use a good, solid replacement on the strong side for Peterson. Perhaps a hybrid DE/LB, one who could line up opposite Patrick Kerney, would be a good fit. Their secondary could also use some help; they’re very thin at safety and while Kelly Jennings is a good nickel corner, he’s limited.

The other surreptitious need is at running back. Maurice Morris is gone to Detroit, leaving the Seahawks with the inconsistent Julius Jones and the forgotten T.J. Duckett in the backfield. Neither of them will make anyone forget an in-his-prime Shaun Alexander, so a young RB to develop might not be a bad choice late in Day 1.

While Crabtree is RF365’s pick, where Seattle goes is anyone’s guess. If the Seahawks feel confident with their three receivers, it may be a DE/LB early (perhaps an Aaron Curry or Brian Orakpo) and a receiver or running back in the second round.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Key Additions: DE Demetric Evans, QB Damon Huard, WR Brandon Jones
Key Losses: WR Bryant Johnson, QB JT O‘Sullivan; OT Jonas Jennings (Released)
Biggest Needs: CB, LB, OL
First selection: No. 10 overall (Round 1)
Projected pick in latest RF365.com Mock Draft: OT Andre Smith, Alabama

Outlook: The 49ers are in an interesting situation.

Last year, interim coach Mike Singletary got the Niners to play up to their potential once he took over for Mike Nolan, and the team finished 7-9. But with an unsure offensive situation, it might take career years from the entire team again to break the .500 barrier.

The big problem is at QB. The 49ers drafted Alex Smith No. 1 overall a few years ago, and he has done nothing to merit that as of yet. When a shoulder injury cost him his 2008, the old brass thought JT O’Sullivan was the answer; but as it turns out, Shaun Hill has been their most consistent signal-caller over the last two seasons. Hill and Smith will battle for the top job in 2009, with free agent signee Huard there to provide veteran leadership and a quality third-stringer if injury strikes again.

But outside of RB Frank Gore, the offense is a bit shaky. The loss of Bryant Johnson is somewhat offset by the signing of Brandon Jones, but the 49ers have a slew of youngsters and backups to go along with the aging yet still productive Isaac Bruce. Their line took a hit with the release of Jennings, and they could use a versatile rookie who can give them depth inside or a franchise right tackle to bookend Joe Staley.

Defensively, they’re in OK shape. The line is solid if unspectacular, but the 49ers could use an outside linebacker to pair with Takeo Spikes and Patrick Willis, as Manny Lawson and Parys Haralson aren’t great. In the secondary, some solid youth is needed at corner; Walt Harris will be 35 this season, and they’re a bit thin as it is.

Given their position in the first round, it may be best player available that suits either their LB or OT need. While Smith is RF365’s pick, he may not be available; in that case, it could be a strongside backer like Brian Cushing or a Brian Orakpo-type hybrid in this slot.

ARIZONA CARDINALS

Key Additions: CB Bryant McFadden, S Keith Lewis, RB Jason Wright
Key Losses: LB Monty Beisel, DE Antonio Smith, offensive coordinator Todd Haley
Biggest Needs: DE, LB
First selection: No. 31 overall (Round 1)
Projected pick in latest RF365.com Mock Draft: RB Chris "Beanie" Wells, Ohio State

Outlook: Sometimes making the Super Bowl isn’t always as awesome as it’s made out to be.

Take the Cardinals -- who clearly weren’t the best team in the league during the regular season -- drafting at No. 31 because of their playoff success.

They've had a good offseason, however. Kurt Warner re-signed, there seems to be harmony with Anquan Boldin, and they took care of their TE situation by signing Anthony Becht and re-upping Leonard Pope. The key for 2009, however, will be how the Cards deal with the loss of Todd Haley. Their former offensive coordinator is now the head coach in Kansas City, and the OC duties will be split; offensive line coach Russ Grimm will coordinate the running game, former receivers coach Mike Miller will coordinate the passing game and one of them (perhaps even head coach Ken Whisenhunt) will call the plays. Considering Whisenhunt was a highly successful offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh just a few years ago, this loss may not be so bad.

With the offense set, the Cards can worry mostly about their defense on Day 1, and they have a few needs. The secondary is fine with the addition of Bryant McFadden, but the front seven has some issues. Arizona lost DE Antonio Smith to free agency, and outside of Darnell Dockett, Travis LaBoy and franchised MLB Karlos Dansby, its front seven is aging. This draft is stockpiled with talent at DE/LB, but picking at No. 31 means most of the big names will be long gone.

As such, the Cards may just have to take the best player on their board. RF365 projects Beanie Wells, although the late addition of Jason Wright makes that need a little less pressing. Should a DT like Missouri’s Evander "Ziggy" Hood or BC’s Ron Brace be there, they might make a good selection; dark horses could include UConn LB Cody Brown or Cincinnati DE/LB Connor Barwin.
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About Lou DiPietro

Lou DiPietro is an accomplished freelance writer who is fascinated with all things sports. In addition to his duties at RealFootball365.com, Lou contributes to TheBleacherReport.com and Pro Wrestling Illustrated magazine, and has been featured on "The Sports Buffet with Matt West" on 1080-AM ESPN ...
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