The NFC West has been as powerful a division because it will get for over a decade. Final season the San Francisco 49ers locked up the No. 1 seed within the NFC, the Los Angeles Rams rallied from a 3-6 begin to make the playoffs at 10-7, the Seattle Seahawks completed 9-8 however simply missed out on a postseason spot, and even the Cardinals have been extra aggressive than their 4-13 report indicated. In all probability, it’ll be one other canine struggle to emerge from this division with a successful report and a playoff berth.
On the eve of the NFL Draft, right here’s a rundown of the Seahawks’ NFC West rivals and their respective draft conditions.
San Francisco 49ers
Picks: 10
Spherical 1, No. 31Round 2, No. 63Round 3, No. 94Round 3, No. 98Round 4, No. 125Round 4, No. 132Round 5, No. 176Round 6, No. 214Round 6, No. 215Round 7, No. 230Round 7, No. 249
High draft wants: OL, WR, CB
Trent Williams might be 36 and finally he gained’t be taking part in at an elite stage anymore. The 49ers offensive line was surprisingly not that good final 12 months, however Kyle Shanahan is a mad scientist who’s been in a position to mitigate that. They’re very a lot within the hunt for tackles and guards.
The cornerback place exterior of Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir might be the weakest spot on the 49ers protection. I don’t rule out San Francisco inside defensive position but it surely’s not as large a necessity as getting one other beginning caliber CB.
Broad receiver? Properly let’s simply head straight for the following subject.
High storyline to look at: Brandon Aiyuk on the block?
Approaching the top of his rookie contract, San Francisco 49ers broad receiver Brandon Aiyuk has not acquired that large cash extension. The rumors are swirling that the 49ers may commerce Aiyuk on draft day and land a excessive decide in return. Aiyuk is coming off consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and has been San Francisco’s chief in receptions and yards over Deebo Samuel.
It’s distinctly doable we see Aiyuk dealt and the 49ers drafting a receiver early. Additionally they misplaced the Tremendous Bowl once more however that’s neither right here nor there.
Los Angeles Rams
Picks: 11
Spherical 1, No. 19Round 2, No. 52Round 3, No. 83Round 3, No. 98Round 5, No. 153Round 5, No. 154Round 6, No. 191Round 6, No. 209Round 6, No. 213Round 6, No. 217Round 7, No. 254
High draft wants: DT, OT, EDGE, WR
You might need heard and celebrated the information of Aaron Donald’s retirement. That abruptly opens up a huge void within the coronary heart of the Rams protection. Maybe it’s a void that might be stuffed by Byron Murphy II. Kobie Turner was a revelation for LA on the inside however how will he carry out with out Donald?
The Rams have solidified the inside of their offensive line, however Alaric Jackson and Joe Noteboom will not be nice offensive tackles and so they’re impending free brokers. With Donald retiring, there’s maybe a larger want for an edge rusher alongside Byron Younger, who had an excellent rookie season.
Puka Nacua has became an amazing story however the Rams’ receiving corps is maybe in want of extra adjustments. Cooper Kupp has had consecutive injury-hampered seasons and might be 31 by the beginning of the brand new season. Demarcus Robinson and Tutu Atwell are free brokers after 2024.
High storyline: A sneaky choice for quarterback?
Matthew Stafford remains to be slingin’ the ball at a excessive stage. He’s additionally 36 years outdated with a number of accidents to his again and backbone. The Rams drafted Stetson Bennett IV final 12 months and he spent his rookie season on the non-football sickness/reserve checklist.
Whether or not with their first- or second-round decide, the Rams could also be doable suitors for Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr. I can see them taking curiosity in Spencer Rattler if he’s nonetheless obtainable within the center portion of the third spherical.
I dread to assume how some Seahawks followers would react if MPJ was obtainable, the Seahawks didn’t draft him, however the Rams did.
Arizona Cardinals
Picks: 11
Spherical 1, No. 4Round 1, No. 27Round 2, No. 35Round 3, No. 66Round 3, No. 71Round 3, No. 90Round 4, No. 104Round 5, No. 138Round 5, No. 162Round 6, No. 186Round 7, No. 226
High draft wants: WR, EDGE, CB
Arizona moved on from Marquise Brown and traded Rondale Moore for Desmond Ridder within the uncommon player-for-player commerce with no picks concerned. Greg Dortch may see an elevated position within the offense, as may Michael Wilson after a good rookie season, however this place is mostly a who’s who of “I’m not open.”
The Cardinals solely had 33 sacks and one of many worst strain charges within the NFL. Regardless that Arizona has L.J. Collier getting back from damage, it’s possible that the Playing cards will push for extra cross speeding assist.
Lastly, Arizona addressed cornerback to a point in free company by signing veteran Sean Murphy-Bunting, but it surely’s nonetheless a really skinny place when it comes to established and even rising expertise.
High storyline: Will Arizona keep at No. 4?
Arizona goes so as to add a receiver with its first decide. Even with the chatter that LSU’s Malik Nabers is definitely the actual WR1 on this class over Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr, it appears inevitable that the Playing cards will go along with Harrison. What might be attention-grabbing to see is that if the Cardinals keep on the No. 4 spot or commerce down and get some further picks. Are there any QB-needy groups angling to stand up as excessive as 4th to take, say, Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye? And even daring sufficient to take J.J. McCarthy within the top-5?
Until the New England Patriots are severe about shifting down from No. 3, which I don’t assume they’re, the Cardinals might maintain the important thing to the beginning of draft night time craziness.
Yeah, it’s not misplaced on me that the Seahawks have 7 picks whereas the opposite NFC West groups are all in double digits. Fortunately, Seattle is again within the comp decide enterprise subsequent draft.
