NFL Offseason Guidelines: NFC West

Welcome to GNB Sports’ fifth edition of the NFL Offseason Guide, where we preview what we believe each team needs to do to get to that next level and win the Super Bowl. We stop in the NFC West. The Cardinals are reigning champions and likely favorites, but with the unproven Matt Leinart taking over, the 49ers and if they get lucky, the Seahawks with new coach Pete Carroll, could take the division.
 
Arizona Cardinals
Positions of Strength: WR, DE, S, CB
Postions of Weakness: QB, TE, OLB
Biggest Free Agents: WR Steve Breaston (RFA), DE Bertrand Berry (UFA), ILB Karlos Dansby (UFA)
 
Summary: I don’t see any reason all three big FAs don’t come back. This team will most likely be on the decline, as me and many others believe that Matt Leinart cannot lead this team in the right direction. Unless they trade up to nab Clausen or Bradford, then I don’t see this team improving as much as declining.
 
Potential First Round Draft Picks: QB Sam Bradford (Oklahoma), TE Jermaine Gresham (Oklahoma), TE Aaron Hernandez (Florida)
 
St. Louis Rams
Positions of Strength: RB, DE
Positions of Weakness: WR, OLB, QB, CB
Biggest Free Agents: S OJ Atogwe (RFA), DE Leonard Little (UFA)
 
Summary: The Rams have a lot of work to do in the draft. Ndamukong Suh is the surest pick, and I don’t like to see them go in the direction of QB with their offensive line (no offense, Rams fans). They have a lot of things to repair. Steven Jackson and Donnie Avery are the bright spots of their offense, and OJ Atogwe is one of the best safeties in the league.
 
Potential First Round Draft Picks: DT Ndamukong Suh (Nebraska), DT Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma), QB Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame)
 
San Francisco 49ers
Positions of Strength: RB, TE, D-line, MLB
Positions of Weakness: WR, CB, OLB, O-line
Biggest Free Agent: DT Aurabryo Franklin (UFA)
 
Summary: This team may be the team to beat in the division. Alex Smith really revitalized his career last year. If they can get Franklin back, they may have a dominant defense. I can see them drafting another running back to complement Frank Gore, even though I honestly really like Glen Coffee.
 
Potential First Round Draft Picks: (First Pick) – OT Trent Williams (Oklahoma), OT Bryan Bulaga (Iowa), OT Anthony Davis (Rutgers), (Second Pick) – RB CJ Spiller (Clemson), OG Mike Iupati (Idaho), OT Bruce Campbell (Maryland)
 
Seattle Seahawks
Positions of Strength:RB , MLB , RB
Positions of Weakness: D-line, QB, O-Line
Biggest Free Agent: WR Nate Burleson (UFA)
 
Summary: I don’t think this team has enough pieces to win any division, but with the teams here they may have a chance. It all depends on what new coach Pete Carroll decides to do in the draft. CB may soon be a weakness, as Trufant is steadily declining.
 
Potential First Round Draft Picks: (First Pick) – QB Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame), QB Sam Bradford (Oklahoma), CB Joe Haden (Florida), (Second Pick) – OLB Sergio Kindle (Texas), DE Jason Pierre-Paul (South Florida), DE Everson Griffen (USC)
 
In short, the Cardinals and 49ers will be the frontrunners for this division while the Seahawks and 49ers still have some work to do.
 
Any comments or feedback? E-mail us at [e-mail]
 
Liked this article? Check out more by GNB Sports! Just click on our profile page or go to gnbsports.yolasite.com