Vincent Frank
One week into the new league year, and most of the top free agents are already off the market. As teams start to turn their attention to the draft, we can take a step back and check in on how each squad stacks up following the initial wave of free agency.
In the second part of an eight-part series, we check in on the NFC West. Are the two-time defending NFC champion Seattle Seahawks still the class of the division? What the heck is going on with the San Francisco 49ers?
Here’s your look at the NFC West power rankings heading into draft season.
1. Arizona Cardinals
Courtesy of USA Today: The addition of Mike Iupati is huge for the Cardinals.
Key Additions: Mike Iupati (G), Sean Weatherspoon (LB) and Corey Peters (DT)
Key Losses: Darnell Dockett (DT), Antonio Cromartie (CB) and Dan Williams (DT)
It may be a surprise to have Arizona ahead of the two-time defending conference champions, but general manager Steve Keim and company have done a tremendous job filling areas of need with solid talent. One of the biggest areas of weakness for Arizona last season was run blocking. The team ranked 29th in the NFL in this category last season (via Pro Football Focus, subscription required). Enter into the equation Mike Iupati, who is among the best run-blocking guards in the NFL. Whether it’s Adrian Peterson or Andre Ellington shouldering the load next season, the Cardinals run offense will be near elite levels. That’s going to take a ton of pressure off the team’s tackles to pass protect. It’s also going to help Carson Palmer limit his mistakes in the passing game.
While losing Antonio Cromartie might be a big deal on defense, Arizona’s secondary is still filled with a tremendous amount of talent, including rising stars Tyrann Mathieu and Deone Bucannon as well as Pro Bowler Patrick Peterson. Adding Sean Weatherspoon to the mix will also help in pass coverage from the linebacker position.
Considering Arizona was close to winning the NFC West with a ton of injuries last season, the moves it has made thus far this month could push the team ahead of the Seahawks. It will obviously depend on what happens from here on out.
2. Seattle Seahawks
Key Additions: Jimmy Graham (TE) and Cary Williams (CB)
Key Losses: Max Unger (C), James Carpenter (G), Byron Maxwell (CB) and Malcolm Smith (LB)
It goes without saying that Jimmy Graham was the biggest addition for any team around the league over the past week. His presence in Seattle’s passing game will only open things up for Russell Wilson, especially in the red zone. However, we can’t ignore the losses that the two-time defending conference champs have incurred. Max Unger and James Carpenter are gone from an offensive line that struggled a great deal in pass protection last season. As it relates to these two losses, that’s also going to impact the running game with Marshawn Lynch. Up until now, Seattle hasn’t done anything to address an obvious weakness here.
We also have to take into account the fact that Seattle is replacing Byron Maxwell with a struggling veteran corner in Cary Williams, who finished last season as the 166th-best cover corner in the NFL last year (via Pro Football Focus, subscription required).
Remember, these rankings are based on free agency after just one week. There’s little doubt that general manager John Schneider and company will do everything possible to put this team atop the NFC West once again in 2015.
3. San Francisco 49ers
Courtesy of USA Today: With the departures on defense, the pressure is now on Colin Kaepernick.
Key Additions: Torrey Smith (WR), Darnell Dockett (DT) and Reggie Bush (RB)
Key Losses: Frank Gore (RB), Mike Iupati (G), Patrick Willis (LB), Chris Borland (LB), Perrish Cox (CB), Chris Culliver (CB) and Stevie Johnson (WR)
To say that San Francisco has suffered through a difficult offseason would be an understatement. Outside of the entire Jim Harbaugh situation, this team lost a ton of talent on both sides of the ball. Patrick Willis and Chris Borland both shockingly announced their retirements over the past week. San Francisco’s two starting corners, Perrish Cox and Chris Culliver, also moved on in free agency. Meanwhile, the 49ers lost their top run-blocking offensive lineman and may face the retirement of one Justin Smith.
With all that said, general manager Trent Baalke prepared for inevitable departures. Carlos Hyde, Brandon Thomas, Tank Carradine, Michael Wilhoite and Dontae Johnson are all in-house candidates to replace recent departures. Meanwhile, the addition of Torrey Smith has to be seen as an upgrade over Michael Crabtree. Despite this drama-filled offseason, San Francisco stills boasts enough talent to contend for a playoff spot. It’s now all about filling the remainder of its holes with value plays in free agency and through the draft.
4. St. Louis Rams
Key Additions: Nick Foles (QB), Nick Fairley (DT) and Akeem Ayers (LB)
Key Losses: Sam Bradford (QB), Jake Long (OT) and Kendall Langford (DT)
We have absolutely no idea how Nick Foles is going to work out in St. Louis. Prior to a season-ending injury last year, his tape was absolutely atrocious. Now going to a division with some of the best defenses in the league, it’s going to be a difficult transition for the Rams. This is only magnified by the fact that St. Louis’ offensive line remains in a state of flux.
Defensively, the Rams may in fact have one of the top units in the entire NFL. Adding Nick Fairley to a defensive line that already includes Robert Quinn, Michael Brockers, Aaron Donald and Chris Long is just ridiculous. There’s little doubt that the Rams boast the best defensive front in the NFL. That should help take the pressure off what was a struggling secondary last year. However, it’s still pretty obvious that St. Louis is one notch below the other three teams in the NFC West.
Photo: USA Today
