Team Needs: NFC West

The Seattle Seahawks are reeling from a devastating loss in Super Bowl XLIX and enter free agency with the aim of bolstering their roster in pursuit of a third consecutive NFC Championship.

Seattle won't be able to retain all of their unrestricted free agents, and Arizona, San Francisco and St. Louis are on the verge of closing the gap in the NFC West.

Let's take a look at some players the NFC West teams may be targeting in free agency and the draft. 

Seattle Seahawks

Positions of need: Wide receiver, guard 

Seattle hoped that Percy Harvin's unparalleled speed would turn the offense into a juggernaut, but the 26-year-old never gelled in the Seahawks' vertical passing game, running a number of jet sweeps and horizontal passing routes. As a result, Harvin was traded mid-season to the New York Jets, and Seattle never found a replacement for him.

New England found ways to slow down Seattle's vertical passing game in the Super Bowl, jamming Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse at the line of scrimmage with their physical cornerback duo.

Russell Wilson succeeded in spite of a porous offensive line that was debilitated due to injuries. Russell Okung is nowhere close to being the Pro Bowl-calibre left tackle he was three seasons ago, and James Carpenter continued to be a disappointment at guard. Carpenter is likely to leave in free agency, and the Seahawks have failed to cultivate depth at the position. 

Potential free-agent targets: Seattle will spend a significant portion of their salary cap by extending massive long-term contracts to Wilson and first-team All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner. Regardless, the team is in need of a downfield threat and St. Louis' Kenny Britt could be in play.

Seattle and San Francisco often sign each other's releases, and the Seahawks may snatch their rivals' best guard from them. Mike Iupati is an ideal fit for Seattle's run-heavy offense and Cincinnati's Clint Boling is another player that management ought to keep an eye on. 

Arizona Cardinals

Positions of need: Running back, linebacker 

Arizona's inability to run the ball effectively was their Achilles heel in 2014, with Andre Ellington averaging a paltry 3.3 yards per carry, and Stepfan Taylor didn't fare much better. When Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton went down due to injury, the team couldn't use their running game to alleviate pressure on third-string quarterback Ryan Lindley, who was categorically overwhelmed.

Once a position of strength, the Cardinals desperately need a linebacker after Larry Foote's retirement. It appears increasingly unlikely that Daryl Washington will ever see the field again, let alone take on a leadership role on the defense after pleading guilty to an aggravated felony assault. 

Outside linebacker Sam Acho is a free agent and was arguably the team's best player at the position; if he leaves, the Cardinals have a major hole to fill. 

Potential free-agent targets: There are reports that the Cardinals are attempting to free up cap space to make a run at Adrian Peterson via trade or signing, in the event that he is released. If Peterson stays is Minnesota, Steven Jackson represents a low-risk, high-reward proposition.

A.J. Hawk would be an inexpensive addition to the team's core, and has had a major role on playoff teams in the past. The Cardinals have $13 million in cap space, so it's unlikely they pursue a marquee 3-4 outside linebacker.

San Francisco 49ers 

Positions of need: Wide receiver, defensive line, tight end 

The Stevie Johnson experiment was a disaster, and San Francisco is expected to release the receiver before the beginning of free agency. It also remains unclear whether the 49ers will be able to retain Michael Crabtree and the passing game regressed badly in 2014.

Justin Smith has long been a foundational member of the 49ers defense, but he will reportedly retire in the offseason. Tony Jerod-Eddie and Ian Williams were merely average, and San Francisco should pursue a strong interior lineman to get its defense back on track. 

Vernon Davis had a miserable 2014 campaign, and his best years are certainly behind him. For the first time in nearly a decade, tight end is a position of weakness for the 49ers with Vance McDonald offering meager secondary support.

Potential free-agent targets: The 49ers have a mere $6 million in cap space entering free agency, so they'll have to make a couple of astute, cost-friendly signings. 

It remains unlikely that Crabtree will return to the 49ers, and a veteran option like Reggie Wayne or Hakeem Nicks would be a nice coup for the club. Although they badly missed on A.J. Jenkins last time they selected a wide receiver in the first round, they may have to go that route once again.

Houston's Brooks Reed is a capable upgrade at outside linebacker, though he's never been able to capitalize on the promise he showed during his rookie season. Reed is arguably best used as a run-stopper in a 3-4 defense, and could be revitalized with a change of scene. San Diego's Dwight Freeney could be an affordable option.

Tony Moeaki played well in Seattle prior to injury, and showed a surprising ability to separate from defenders. Cincinnati's Jermaine Gresham may just be out of the 49ers' price range, but he's an option here.

St. Louis Rams 

Positions of need: Wide receiver, cornerback 

Although St. Louis selected Tavon Austin with their first-round pick in 2013, the Rams haven't had a 1,000-yard receiver since 2007 (Torry Holt). St. Louis' passing game continued to be stagnant, although some would argue its because the team has yet to solidify its starter since selecting the oft-injured Sam Bradford with the first overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. The Rams may also be losing their top receiver, Kenny Britt, to free agency. 

E.J. Gaines was solid for the Rams in his first campaign, but Janoris Jenkins still takes too many risks as a ball hawk and is often left out of position while trying to cherry-pick routes for an interception.

St. Louis could replicate Seattle by stocking up on a number of cornerbacks, given that the team has little depth outside of its two nominal starters. Simply put, Trumaine Johnson plays at a replacement-level. 

Potential free-agent targets: St. Louis has minimal cap space, with just $6 million available entering free agency.

Wes Welker would be a good fit in the Rams system, and could be signed a team-friendly contract due to his injury history. Although it would be unwise to select a wide receiver in the first round through two of three years, St. Louis may be forced to do so.

Green Bay's Tramon Williams could be a solid veteran option for a young secondary, and is still a capable cornerback at 32. Some teams may shy away from him due to his age, while San Francisco's one-year wonder Perrish Cox would be another solid option.