NFC West Free Agency Preview

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After the Los Angeles Rams hoisted the Lombardi trophy, every other NFC West team simultaneously sneered and smiled. The sneer, obviously due to the division rival succeeding where they’ve failed in recent years. In contrast, the smile emanates from the fact the Rams mortgaged their future for the ring. As a result, the unstable ground under which most modern dynasties are built will continuously shift. Not to mention, the Rams traded away most of their meaningful draft picks. As a result, to hold off the rest of the NFC West, the need to dive into the free agency pool, instead of the draft.

Los Angeles Rams

Current Cap Space ($-13,172,364)

Area Of Need: Cornerback

Realistic Target: Charvarius Ward

Granted, Jalen Ramsey still sits atop the hill as the best cornerback in the league, Super Bowl notwithstanding. However, the defending champions still need another corner. The Rams sit thirteen million dollars in the red. Under those circumstances, they need to pare payroll and restructure others. In the pass-happy NFC West, they need a bookend end corner to make the secondary multi-dimensional. Darious Williams, according to Spotrac, is expected to command nearly fifteen million dollars per year, which may not fit into the Rams’ long-term plans. Ward, although he will command roughly nine million dollars, doesn’t provide that deep of a dropoff from Williams.

San Francisco 49ers

Current Cap Space ($2,952,032)

Area of Need: Guard

Realistic Target: James Daniels

One game away from the Super Bowl and the Niners could just taste the victory. Los Angeles stymied the run game and destroyed the offensive interior. With allowing Laken Tomlinson to walk, San Francisco sits in an advantageous position. By signing the 24-year-old Daniels, they can lock up an emerging guard with a three-year deal that doesn’t tie him to them for an extended amount of time. Meanwhile, Daniels, if he plays well, can cash in again at age twenty-eight. In that case, each entity benefits. Everyone knows that Kyle Shanahan wants to run the ball, often. For a top-five rushing offense that pounded defenses for the tune of 2166 yards, that massive Daniels and the stable of backs will make their head coach happy.

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Arizona Cardinals

Current Cap Space ($2,744,575)

Area of Need: Tight End

Realistic Target: O.J. Howard

While the Cardinals look strong at receivers, a tight end could pose a problem for Kyler Murray. Both Zach Ertz and Maxx Williams are eligible for great paydays, which could price them out of the Cardinals’ price range. With this in mind, O.J. Howard slides seamlessly into the Arizona plans. Presenting as an athletic seambuster, Howard languished on the Tampa depth chart. In actuality, that will suit him well. The lack of snaps preserved him. Howard, in limited snaps, as mentioned, decreased the number of drops to zero. Catching passes at two-thirds completion clip, Howard would give Murray a red zone target and nightmare matchup in the middle of the field.

Seattle Seahawks

Current Cap Space ($35,399,263)

Area of Need: Left Tackle

Realistic Target: Cam Robinson

Regardless of whether Russell Wilson returns or not, the offense of the Seahawks, especially the offensive line needs reworking. For a unit that surrendered forty-six sacks, Pete Carroll needs instant help. Duane Brown enters the last year of his deal and possesses declining skills and a dead cap number that will only cost 3.5 million to eat. Robinson solidifies the left tackle spot for the next half-decade or so. The Jaguars can still franchise Robinson for the second consecutive year. However, the Seahawks, flush with cash and a readymade offense that needs a cornerstone tackle give Robinson options. With a strong passing attack, the Seahawks could find themselves back in the playoff hunt.

Inching Closer

Right now, the Los Angeles Rams are the world champions. Accordingly, the rest of the NFC West plays catchup. yet, the Rams’ singular focus will help them. Instead of being three steps ahead, a sharp free agency signing period would level the playing field for most involved. Life in the NFC West is many things. Boring will never be one of them.