Back in August, a few "expert" sportswriters picked the NFC West to be the most competitive division in the NFL. In January, the West had no playoff wins, only one team with a winning record and two teams who failed to win 6 games. The Cardinals and 49ers were both trendy picks to make the playoffs, and neither finished over .500. Seattle remains the favorite to win the West again in 2008, but the rest of the West is comprised of a talented bunch of underachievers, who may be just a few pieces away from really competing. Seattle, if they can get keep their key pieces, look poised to take the West. If they can't, the race for the top spot and a playoff birth will be wide open.
Arizona Cardinals 8-8
Needs: OL, LB/DE, RB,S
Offense: In 2007, the Cardinals could have very easily been in the playoffs in a very weak division. 8-8 could have very easily been 10-6, and in this league that simply represents a lost opportunity. The NFC West should improve next season, but to fair, so too should the Cards. Matt Leinart is the quarterback of this team and he needs to have some job security to succeed. Throwing to Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin helps, but the Cards will likely lose Bryant Johnson to free agency. Look for the Cards to find a replacement in the middle to late rounds of the draft. Edgerrin James hasn't been explosive since coming to the desert, but his line has been extremely inconsistent. The Cardinals would like to improve both areas on offense so don't be surprised to hear Michael Turner's name come up, or if the Cardinals draft a guy like Jonathan Stewart or Richard Mendenhall in the first round. The Cards scouting team closely followed the talented running backs and offensive tackles at the Senior Bowl.
Defensive: 'Zona plans to change defensive schemes to a more aggressive 3-4 look for 2008. That means retaining 26 year old OLB Karlos Dansby has to be a top priority. Adding athletic linebackers who can cover and rush the passer will certainly play into how the Cards attack both the draft and free agency. DT Darnell Docket was a late addition to the Pro Bowl roster and is strong inside. With DE Bertrand Berry, Docket and Dansby formed a formidable trio up front. But beyond that, the defense must be upgraded. Derrick Harvey and Keith Rivers are possibilities in the first round. At the Senior Bowl the Cardinals reportedly focused heavily on pass rushers. Expect the defensive backfield to be addressed in free agency as they let the young corners grow.
Projected 1st Round Draft Pick: #16 Derrick Harvey DE Florida
San Francisco 49ers 5-11
Needs: OL,WR,OLB,S,DE
Offense: The offense in San Fran was so terrible, one might forget that Joe Montana, Roger Craig, Steve Young, and Jerry Rice were part of the some of the greatest offenses ever in the city with the Golden Gate. Enter Mike Martz. The offensive evil genius will bring his brand of aggressive offense to the 32nd ranked scoring and passing offense in the league last season. Alex Smith played extremely poorly last season and head coach Mike Nolan even questioned his QB's toughness. The 49ers do have RB Frank Gore and explosive TE Vernon Davis, but lack at wide receiver. Mike Nolan and his coaching staff had the privilege and the advantage of coaching at the Senior Bowl where they reportedly fell in love with LSU WR Early Doucet III. He is a definite possibility in round 1 for a receiving chore without premier talent.
Defense: Bringing in guys like Nate Clements was supposed to help the 49er D come back to respectability. As it turns out, rookie MLB was the best defensive player on a San Fran defense that finished in the bottom 12 in points against, rushing D, and passing D. Bryant Young, a stalwart for so many years in San Francisco, has retired and leaves a huge void on an already weak defensive line. The 49ers will certainly look to add depth at just about every defensive line position as well as pass rushing hybrid linebackers for their 3-4 system. Tully Banta-Cain did not provide the kind of lift they'd hoped for pressuring the quarterback and former first round pick Manny Lawson was lost for the season in week two. The 49ers have to get better defensively to give their struggling offense some short fields and opportunities to score quickly.
Projected 1st Round Pick: # 29 Early Doucet III WR LSU
Seattle Seahawks 10-6
Needs: G,RB,WR,S,TE
Offense: Shaun Alexander was the MVP of the NFL in 2005. The 2007 Seattle Seahawks finished 20th in the NFL in rushing, thanks mostly to Alexander's inability to create anything explosive in the running game. Mo' Morris didn't fair much better, although he is certainly more of a home run hitter. Losing G Steve Hutchinson was a huge mistake and an enormous blow to both run and pass blocking. Finding a suitable replacement for Hutchinson and Alexander (about a year too late on both) must be priority number one for the Seahawks who will only have Mike Holmgren for one more season. Seattle may also lose WR D.J. Hackett and apparently really liked Texas WR Limas Sweed. The 'Hawks could use help at both WR and TE and there is plenty of talent at the top to warrant a first day pick.
Defense: Although the Seahawks have been perceived as an offense based team since Mike Holmgren has been there, the 2007 'Hawks were carried in many games by their defense. Seattle's D was one of the best team in the league at getting to the quarterback and did so with All-Pro Patrick Kearney and the front 4. Marcus Trufant and Lofa Tatupu are legitimate defensive stars and created all kinds of problems for opposing offenses. But that means Seattle HAS to sign Trufant to a long-term deal after his Pro Bowl season. Seattle's safeties are old and not very athletic. They will likely target a young safety to grow and with future head coach Jim Mora Jr. an defensive backs expert, he should be able to help the Seahawks right away.
Projected 1st Round Pick: #25 Felix Jones RB Arkansas
St. Louis Rams 3-13
Needs:OT, LB,S,CB,QB
Offense: The greatest show on turf quickly became a show with little worth. Pardon the pun, but the St. Louis Rams offense was prolific, even just last season. Injuries played a major role in the deterioration of efficiency, but even when QB Marc Bulger andRB Stephen Jackson were healthy at the end of the season, the Rams still had trouble winning games. Bulger may not be long for this world, especially if he can't stay healthy. It's also never a good sign when arguably your best player has to tell everyone he's NOT retiring. Even with OT Orlando Pace coming back, the Rams must find a tackle in the draft, I just don't expect it to happen in the first round. You can't go 3-13 and then draft an offensive lineman who will sit for a year.
Defense: The Rams hoped Jim Haslett would bring respectability to a defense that has been less than stellar for quite sometime. Adam Carriker made a smooth transition from end to tackle for the Rams, but if Glenn Dorsey is available, it isn't out of the question for him to switch back. DE's Leonard Little and James Hall could not get pressure on anyone and having Dorsey at DT and Carriker at DE would give the Rams a far more potent pass rush. O.J. Atogwe had a breakout season at safety and the corners are decent. The linebackers are sub-par and lack explosion. Also starting OLB Brandon Chillar is a free agent and will likely test the market. Expect to see a great deal of defense donning Rams jerseys in April.
Projected 1st Round Pick: #2 Glenn Dorsey DT LSU
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