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 free agency.
AFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
NFC
EAST | NORTH | SOUTH | WEST
Seattle Seahawks
Biggest need: Offensive tackle
Other needs: Guard, safety
The Seahawks' offensive line was one of the NFL's biggest punchlines in 2016, with Russell Wilson scrambling for dear life emerging as one of the year's lasting images. George Fant was the worst active starter in the NFL and Garry Gilliam didn't fare much better. Seattle surrendered 42 sacks, a total that'd be much higher were it not for Wilson's innate ability to escape from defenders.
It didn't get much better at guard, even though the Seahawks used their first-round pick on Germain Ifedi. The offensive line is in need of a drastic rebuild, and free agency gives the Seahawks a chance to fix a massive weakness.
For the first time, Seattle needs to consider life after Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor. Thomas broke his leg last season and Chancellor missed four games with various injuries. It's time for the Seahawks to consider their future without the two stars as the team lacks depth outside of Thomas and Chancellor.
Potential free-agent targets: Andrew Whitworth didn't allow a sack in 2016 and remains one of the NFL's marquee pass blockers at 35. The Seahawks should aggressively pursue Whitworth and pay him whatever he asks on a one-year deal. If Whitworth doesn't work out, the Seahawks should chase either Riley Reiff or Kelvin Beachum.
Ronald Leary is a starting-caliber guard and the Seahawks should pounce if he becomes available. At 27, Leary would be a long-term fix for the team's porous offensive line.
If Seattle really wants to stick it to their divisional rivals, pursuing T.J. McDonald or Tony Jefferson to be another weapon in its secondary would be a strong and cunning move.
Arizona Cardinals
Biggest need: Guard
Other needs: Cornerback, quarterback, linebacker
Carson Palmer regressed badly in 2016 while his offensive line did him absolutely no favors, constantly under duress. Evan Mathis retired in January, while Mike Iupati is no longer the run-blocking dynamo he once was.
Patrick Peterson will need some help from his teammates as Marcus Cooper enters free agency. The rest of the Cardinals' cornerbacks simply aren't ready for increased snaps, and they'll need to get some reinforcements if they want to play with their trademark aggressiveness.
Deone Bucannon and Sio Moore are both valuable contributors to the defense, but the team lacks depth at linebacker outside of this duo. It's time for the Cardinals to fortify an already strong front seven.
Potential free-agent targets: The Cardinals should target Larry Warford to strengthen their offensive line, who's been under the radar after a standout rookie season. If Warford signs elsewhere, the Cardinals ought to consider Stefen Wisniewski, who can play either guard or tackle.
If Cooper departs, the Cardinals ought to make numerous signings at cornerback and should target Logan Ryan as a long-term candidate to be paired alongside Peterson. Other options include Morris Claiborne and D.J. Hayden.
Arizona will need to add some depth at linebacker and should re-sign Kevin Minter, while targeting Malcolm Smith and Daryl Smith. Will Compton is also another possibility.
Los Angeles Rams
Biggest need: Guard
Other needs: Wide receiver, tackle
The Rams surrendered 49 sacks, the second-worst total in the NFL. Part of this is due to Jared Goff's indecision in the pocket, but a dearth of talent along the offensive line is a vital reason why the Rams' passing game stalled.
Goff still has plenty of work to do before he becomes the player the Rams envisioned when selecting him first overall last summer, but the team also needs to put him in a position to succeed. The Rams' wide receiver core is among the worst in the NFL, and they ought to pursue a few capable options for Goff to succeed.
Potential free-agent targets: Los Angeles should be doing everything it can to accentuate Goff's talent, and T.J. Lang would be an optimal choice for the franchise. Lang is considered by some to be the best guard available, and if he balks at an offer from the Rams, Kevin Zeitler ought to be second on their wish list.
The Rams should pursue Alshon Jeffery, who will be the most desired receiver on the market, and if the Rams can entice DeSean Jackson into a homecoming of sorts, Goff will be afforded a few downfield threats.
San Francisco 49ers
Biggest need: Defensive tackle
Other needs: Quarterback, wide receiver, offensive tackle, edge rusher, guard
Where to begin? The 49ers ranked dead last in total defense, scoring defense, and rushing defense. DeForest Buckner and Arik Armstead showed why they were worthy of consecutive first-round picks in 2015 and 2016, but the latter missed eight games due to injury and the rest of the unit wildly underachieved.
The 49ers didn't fare much better on the other side of the ball, ranking last in passing offense. It's unlikely the 49ers will find their quarterback of the future during free agency - barring a move for Kirk Cousins - but their inept wide receiver core desperately needs to be replenished.
San Francisco surrendered 47 sacks in 2016, the third-worst total in the league. Joe Staley is still a solid option at left tackle, but he's nowhere close to Pro Bowl form anymore, while Trenton Brown bordered on replacement-level. The 49ers didn't have a single guard ranked among the top-40 players at the position according to Pro Football Focus. This will be a long, arduous work in progress.
Potential free-agent targets: The 49ers hold over $80 million in cap space entering free agency and are well-positioned to acquire whoever they desire.
Kawann Short was franchise tagged by the Panthers, but Brandon Williams and Johnathan Hankins are both very good options worth pursuing.
At 24, Kenny Stills could be a long-term option for the 49ers at wide receiver, arming the team with a legitimate deep threat. The 49ers should also try to recruit DeSean Jackson for the same purpose.
Ricky Wagner compiled an excellent 2016 campaign and the 49ers ought to coerce him into joining the franchise. Sebastian Vollmer and Ryan Clady are two veterans - albeit injury-prone players worth chasing.
T.J. Lang and Kevin Zeitler are the two best guards available and the 49ers ought to present offers to them once free agency commences.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)