Identifying the biggest need for every NFC West team

theScore goes division by division to identify the biggest positional needs for all 32 NFL teams entering the 2017 draft, which will be held from April 27-29.

AFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
NFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST

Arizona Cardinals

Biggest need: Linebacker

Other needs: Safety, wide receiver, quarterback

After being a popular Super Bowl pick, the Cardinals were arguably the most disappointing team in 2016. Boasting one of the NFL's most talented rosters, the Cardinals enter the draft looking to refine a few positions and re-emerge as a genuine title contender.

Deone Bucannon transitioned from a hybrid safety to a nominal inside linebacker and the Cardinals brought back veteran Karlos Dansby for a third stint with the club. While Bucannon and Dansby are both fine options, neither player graded out within the top 35 of Pro Football Focus' positional rankings last season.

Tyrann Mathieu remains as one of the NFL's premier safeties, but the Cardinals lost Tony Jefferson and D.J. Swearinger during free agency and need to replenish their depth in the secondary.

The Cardinals cut Michael Floyd after a DUI last year, while Larry Fitzgerald and David Johnson were relied upon heavily to carry the passing game. John Brown regressed badly in 2016, and the Cardinals should add depth to a once-loaded position.

Carson Palmer is 37 and simply, the Cardinals need to build a backup plan if he gets injured. Drew Stanton is merely a stop-gap option.

Potential draft targets: Alabama's Reuben Foster is the best inside linebacker in this year's class and though some teams may be concerned about his failed drug test at the combine, the Cardinals have been savvy at picking up players with checkered histories. If he's available at No. 13, the Cardinals should pounce.

It's highly unlikely that LSU's Jamal Adams or Ohio State's Malik Hooker will be available at No. 13, but either player would complement the Cardinals' defense well. UConn's Obi Melifonwu will also be in consideration.

The Cardinals will likely be able to find another receiver in the second round and USC's Juju Smith-Schuster possesses the physical skills for the offense to diversify its red-zone schemes. Arizona ought to use the No. 45 pick on the 20-year-old.

Los Angeles Rams

Biggest need: Wide receiver

Other needs: Edge rusher, tight end

To actualize Jared Goff's potential, the Rams need to surround him with better wide receivers before deeming his career a failed experiment. Robert Woods was signed during free agency but he's a complementary piece and the Rams still have the least impressive wide receiver corps in the NFL. The same can be said of the Rams' barren tight end group with 2016 fourth-round pick Tyler Higbee projected to start.

Once loaded with edge rushers, the Rams need to improve their depth outside of Robert Quinn, Michael Brockers, and Connor Barwin. To be clear, the trio is still operating well, but the group completely drops off outside the veteran cohort.

Potential draft targets: The Rams traded their 2017 first-round pick last year to the Tennessee Titans and will begin this year's draft with the No. 37 selection.

Alabama's Ardarius Stewart could be the latest Nick Saban-coached receiver to take the league by storm and may be worthy of the selection. Los Angeles ought to consider Penn State's Chris Godwin as well.

Alabama's O.J. Howard and Miami's David Njoku are the best tight ends to enter the draft in years, but it's possible both players will be selected in the first round. Evan Engram of Ole Miss may be a more plausible selection, as he represents an upgrade over the current scenario.

San Francisco 49ers

Biggest need: Quarterback

Other needs: Defensive tackle, tight end, wide receiver, edge rusher

Where to begin with the 49ers? Coming off a 2-14 season, the 49ers possess a need at almost every position.

After stumbling through a debacle involving Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert, neither quarterback remains on the roster. If the season were to start today, Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley would be squaring off for the starting role, a position that will surely keep the 49ers at the bottom of the division.

San Francisco finished last in total defense, rushing defense, and scoring defense and will need to drastically overhaul this unit. DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead are foundational pieces of the rebuild, but the 49ers need to clear the remaining players in order to compete next year.

The 49ers signed Pierre Garcon and Marquise Goodwin but the veteran duo alone won't catapult a barren receiving corps. It's imperative that the 49ers nail this draft across the board.

Potential draft targets: Holding the No. 2 pick, the 49ers can address any one of their needs with a marquee talent. It may be a reach to select a quarterback with the second pick, but Clemson's Deshaun Watson, North Carolina's Mitchell Trubisky, and Texas Tech's Patrick Mahomes will be considered.

The 49ers won't use their top pick to address their woes at defensive tackle, but Michigan State's Malik McDowell is a great option if he's available in the second round. Michigan's Chris Wormley ought to be in consideration as well. However, it's possible the 49ers use the No. 2 selection on edge rusher Solomon Thomas out of Stanford.

Ohio State's Curtis Samuel is a versatile weapon while scouts raved about USC's Juju Smith-Schuster's ability to box out defenders, potentially adding a new dimension to the 49ers' offense.

Seattle Seahawks

Biggest need: Offensive tackle

Other needs: Guard, cornerback

The lasting image of the Seahawks' 2016 season was Russell Wilson being chased by numerous defenders, forced to improvise after his offensive line capitulated. Seattle drafted guard Germain Ifedi with its first-round pick last spring, but he did little to fix the team's most glaring weakness.

George Fant was arguably the worst starter at any position last season, and he's been replaced with a marginal upgrade in Oday Aboushi. Luke Joeckel, who's been a subpar starter throughout his career, was inked by the Seahawks to ostensibly play left tackle. The entire offensive line - save for perhaps Ifedi and center Justin Britt, needs to be revamped.

It may seem strange at first glance for the Seahawks to trade a cornerback, but with Richard Sherman on the trading block and DeShawn Shead still recovering from a torn ACL, it's time for the NFC West giant to look forward.

Potential draft targets: Wisconsin's Ryan Ramczyk is considered the best offensive tackle in this year's class and should be available at No. 26. If not, the Seahawks ought to target Utah's Garett Bolles.

Indiana's Dan Feeney is arguably the most pro-ready guard in the draft and he should be available on Day 2. Seattle holds the No. 58 pick and if he's available, general manager John Schneider should pounce.

This is the deepest cornerback draft in years, and Seattle will likely target Florida's Quincy Wilson and Washington's Kevin King, who has the ideal size and awareness that the Cover 3 base scheme demands.

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)