The first waves of free agency have come and gone and now it’s time to look at what teams have gained and lost since March 13th and where they stand as they prepare for the upcoming draft. Let’s continue with the NFC West.
Arizona Cardinals
Key acquisitions: OLB Terrell Suggs, OT Marcus Gilbert, LB Jordan Hicks, CB Robert Alford, OLB Brooks Reed, G J.R. Sweezy, CB Tramaine Brock, TE Charles Clay, WR Kevin White, G Max Garcia, QB Brett Hundley, DE Darius Philon, WR Damiere Byrd
Re-signed: WR Larry Fitzgerald, DE Rodney Gunter
Departures: LB Deone Bucannon (Buccaneers), DE Markus Golden (Giants), G Mike Iupati (Seahawks), WR J.J. Nelson (Raiders), DE Benson Mayowa (Raiders), FS Antoine Bethea (Giants), QB Mike Glennon (Raiders), TE Jermaine Gresham, LB Josh Bynes
Analysis: The Cardinals were not good, at all, in 2018, which led them to the first overall pick in the draft. After letting go of head coach Steve Wilks after just one season, the Cardinals needed some roster turnover with a new regime under Kliff Kingsbury.
The defense was one of the worst in 2018, so they went out and signed longtime Raven and Arizona native Terrell Suggs. He’ll pair with Chandler Jones and former Falcon Brooks Reed after the team parted ways with Markus Golden. Deone Bucannon signed with the Bucs, and never really panned out as a former first rounder, so Arizona signed former Eagle Jordan Hicks to man the middle of the defense. Desperately looking for a starting corner opposite All-Pro Patrick Peterson, so they signed another former Falcon in Robert Alford. He’ll compete with David Amerson, Tramaine Brock, and Brandon Williams for a starting spot.
The offense wasn’t great either, heck, it was terrible. Josh Rosen had no help around him, a terrible offensive line, and no weapons. Working to fix the offensive line, which suffered through several injuries and the most starting lineups in the league, the team acquired former Steelers longtime starter Marcus Gilbert to start at right tackle, and guards J.R. Sweezy and Max Garcia. To give their quarterback more weapons, they signed tight end Charles Clay and former Bears top 10 pick Kevin White, who could not stay healthy and fizzled out in 2018, even when healthy.
Conclusion: The Cardinals have some big decisions to make come draft time. Do they move on from Josh Rosen and select Kyler Murray first overall? Do they trade the pick and acquire more picks and build around Rosen? So many questions surrounding this team that was so close to winning it all in 2015.
Los Angeles Rams
Key acquisitions: FS Eric Weddle, OLB Clay Matthews, QB Blake Bortles
Re-signed: DE Dante Fowler, RB Malcolm Brown
Departures: G Rodger Saffold (Titans), LB Mark Barron (Steelers), FS Lamarcus Joyner, RB C.J. Anderson (Lions)
Remaining free agents: C John Sullivan, CB Sam Shields
Analysis: Despite coming off a Super Bowl loss, the Rams had little roster turnover, but it came from the starting lineup rather than their depth. Starting free safety Lamarcus Joyner leaves for Oakland, and is replaced by veteran Eric Weddle. He’ll slot right in as a starter alongside John Johnson. They brought back Dante Fowler after being acquired from the Jaguars mid-season, and also brought in longtime Packer Clay Matthews. He’ll join a pass rush with Fowler and Samson Ebukam. Losing Malcolm Brown with an injury last season exposed the Rams lack of depth, so they signed C.J. Anderson, who leaves this offseason for the Lions. But Brown is back and should maintain is backup role behind Todd Gurley. With gains come losses, and they lost a key one in guard Rodger Saffold to the Titans and center John Sullivan, who is still on the street. They also parted ways with Mark Barron, leaving a void at middle linebacker.
Conclusion: Despite the little roster turnover, the Rams roster showed a major flaw last season – lack of depth. At the top, the Rams have one of the best rosters in the league, but beyond that, they have nothing. They built their roster through trades last season with Aqib Talib, Marcus Peters, Brandin Cooks, and Dante Fowler. But the compensation was draft picks, which could’ve been used for depth options. Don’t get me wrong, the moves were smart and much needed, but with every give there’s a take, and the take exposed their roster. When Gurley went down, then his backup Brown went down, they had nothing beyond him, which led to the signing of Anderson, which helped big time. In Week 17 last season, Andrew Whitworth and John Sullivan left with injuries, and their backups were mid-late round picks Joseph Noteboom and Brian Allen, guys who had little experience in the NFL. Now, these guys are slated to start in 2019 with the losses of Saffold and Sullivan.
With a strong roster, and a great coach in Sean McVay, the Rams should have no problem making it back to the playoffs. With a hopefully strong draft to build depth, the Rams are hoping to bounce back from a disappointing Super Bowl loss.
San Francisco 49ers
Key acquisitions: DE Dee Ford, LB Kwon Alexander, RB Tevin Coleman, CB Jason Verrett, WR Jordan Matthews
Re-signed: K Robbie Gould (franchise), G Mike Person, FS Jimmie Ward
Departures: DE Cassius Marsh (Seahawks)
Analysis: The 49ers were a major disappointment in 2018 after winning the final five games of 2017 under new franchise quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Finishing with a 4-12 record and being “rewarded” with the second pick in the draft, GM John Lynch was faced with some challenges this offseason to turn his team around, and that started with a very active free agency.
Their two biggest acquisitions come on defense, trading for former Chiefs pass rusher Dee Ford and signing him to a monster multi-year extension, and signing former Buccaneers middle linebacker Kwon Alexander also to a monster multi-year contract. An under the radar signing was former Chargers first rounder Jason Verrett. In his lone healthy season, Verrett made the Pro Bowl, but he has not been able to stay healthy at all. He’ll compete for a starting spot in a secondary that finished dead last with two interceptions as a team.
On offense, after experiencing several injuries at the running back position, the 49ers signed former Falcon Tevin Coleman. Coleman is very familiar with Kyle Shanahan’s offense coming from Atlanta, and figures to compete for the starting job. Jerick McKinnon was lost before the season and Matt Breida filled in nicely along with Alfred Morris, but there was never a real consistent running game. McKinnon was given big money a year ago and figures to be the favorite for the starting job, but Coleman and Breida will be fighting for snaps as well.
Conclusion: The 49ers have been building something special, and the high expectations from fans may have come a year too early in 2018. Now the pressure is on in 2019 for this new regime.
The defensive line is littered with first round picks, mostly homegrown, in DeForest Buckner, Solomon Thomas, Arik Armstead, and now Dee Ford. With a defensive-heavy draft, the 49ers should get the best player available, whether it be Nick Bosa, Quinnen Williams, or Josh Allen. The addition of Alexander is massive, and he’ll man the middle of the defense alongside Malcolm Smith and Fred Warner. The secondary needed some work with Verrett, and he’ll pair with Richard Sherman, Ahkello Witherspoon, and K’Waun Williams at cornerback and safeties Jimmie Ward, Adrian Colbert, and Jaquiski Tartt. This isn’t a bad defense on paper, but will need to prove it on the field.
The offense all depends on the health of Garoppolo, their big franchise investment. Nick Mullens filled in fine, but Jimmy G is the clear cut face of the franchise. The running backs are looking for consistency, the receivers need to get healthy, and the offensive line needs to protect the franchise. Marquise Goodwin hasn’t been healthy, Dante Pettis flashed serious potential as a rookie, but they need some help beyond them. We can’t mention the pass catchers without tight end George Kittle. He had an unbelievable breakout season, one of the greatest seasons ever for a tight end, and has the potential to be one of the best ever.
Another strong draft is key for this San Francisco franchise, and with a high pick, should be primed to do so, and give their fanbase something to cheer for.
Seattle Seahawks
Key acquisitions: G Mike Iupati, K Jason Myers
Re-signed: G D.J. Fluker, LB K.J. Wright, LB Mychal Kendricks
Departures: FS Earl Thomas (Ravens), DE Frank Clark (traded to Chiefs), CB Justin Coleman (Lions), RB Mike Davis (Bears), G J.R. Sweezy (Cardinals)
Analysis: I was honestly surprised by the success of the Seahawks this year. They parted ways with several members of their legendary defense, including Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, Michael Bennett, and Cliff Avril, but still found a way to make the playoffs. They do such a good job of drafting and having the next man up mentality that they were able to replace the players they lost, particularly in the secondary. After losing Earl Thomas to injury early in the season, guys like Tre Flowers and Bradley McDougald and Tedric Thompson stepped up and delivered. Now Thomas is with the Ravens, so now it’s really time for them to fill his shoes. With Bennett and Avril gone, Frank Clark stepped up and earned the franchise tag from the Seahawks. However, the pass rusher was traded to the Chiefs for a first round pick, leaving a void at pass rush, but with two first round picks, should find a capable one early in the draft.
The Seahawks offensive line improved in 2018, but it still needs work, that’s why the team signed former Pro Bowl guard Mike Iupati, and re-signed D.J. Fluker, to provide consistency at the guard positions. They also brought back longtime linebacker K.J. Wright as well as Mychal Kendricks, who is still facing jail time after pleading guilty to insider trading. They’ll continue to start alongside arguably the best linebacker in the league in Bobby Wagner.
Conclusion: Despite critics (like myself) saying they were in a rebuild, they quickly bounced back and were contenders in 2018. The defense has veteran leaders like Wagner and Wright, with young emerging players in Jarran Reed, Poona Ford, and Shaquil Griffin. They’ve lost possibly of the greatest safeties duos ever in Thomas and Chancellor, but have young guys ready to take over in Thompson, Flowers, and veteran McDougald.
The Seahawks had the best running game in 2018, led by Chris Carson, Mike Davis, and first round pick Rashaad Penny. They’ll continue that philosophy without Davis, but Carson and Penny should formulate one of the greatest 1-2 punches at the position. The receivers need work, with Doug Baldwin coming off several surgeries, however Tyler Lockett broke out as a receiver in 2018, posting a perfect passer rating when targeted. Pass catcher should be a focus for them in the draft, for sure.
The Seahawks went through a mini-rebuild from 2017-2018, and still made the playoffs. They are a very different team from their Super Bowl run a few years ago, but a strong draft can put them back in contention and hopefully a new dynasty will sprout in Seattle.
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