Arizona Cardinals
Key acquisitions: OT Jonah Williams, CB Sean Murphy-Bunting, DT Bilal Nichols, DT Justin Jones, LB Mack Wilson, RB DeeJay Dallas, WR Chris Moore, DT Khyiris Tonga, C Evan Brown
Re-signed: DE L.J. Collier, P Blake Gillikin, C Trystan Colon
Departures: OT D.J. Humphries, WR Marquise Brown (Chiefs), NT Leki Fotu (Jets), LB Zeke Turner (49ers), CB Antonio Hamilton (Falcons)
Remaining free agents: LB Josh Woods, DE Carlos Watkins, T Elijah Wilkinson, C Pat Elflein
Analysis: A fairly exciting offseason for the Cardinals. After a couple rough seasons with a lot of question marks, I see the path forward in Arizona. Kyler Murray came back midseason from injury and looked good, and head coach Jonathan Gannon seems like a fit. After the release of longtime starter D.J. Humphries, they signed former Bengals first-round Jonah Williams to be their left tackle. They focused a lot on defense with Sean Murphy-Bunting, Bilal Nichols, Justin Jones and Mack Wilson filling starting roles while not losing a ton. They did lose Hollywood Brown so their top need is extremely apparent.
Conclusion: A bad but encouraging year gave the Cardinals the fourth pick, and they are in prime position to either trade back with a team that needs a QB, or stay put and select Marvin Harrison Jr. Either way, this should be a successful draft for Arizona.
Los Angeles Rams
Key acquisitions: G Jonah Jackson, CB Tre’Davious White, TE Colby Parkinson, CB Darious Williams, S Kamren Curl, QB Jimmy Garoppolo
Re-signed: G Kevin Dotson, WR Demarcus Robinson, LB Troy Reeder
Departures: DT Aaron Donald (retired), S Jordan Fuller (Panthers), C Coleman Shelton (Bears), C Brian Allen
Remaining free agents: S John Johnson, CB Ahkello Witherspoon
Analysis: Wow, actually an exciting offseason for the Rams…sorta. They lost superstar hall of famer Aaron Donald to retirement after 10 incredible seasons, but they made some fun signings.
Jonah Jackson was a four-year starter for the Lions and will pair with Kevin Dotson, who got a nice extension after an awesome 2023 season. Tre’Davious White was cut by the Bills and when healthy is a top CB in this league, and is a massive upgrade to the secondary. Same for Kamren Curl, who was a quiet stud in Washington at strong safety. They also brought back Darious Williams after two years in Jacksonville after four years with LA.
Conclusion: The Rams hold a first-round pick for the first time since 2016 (Jared Goff). This team was a surprise in 2023 making the playoffs and have a solid roster supported by last year’s rookie class. The 19th pick can get you a good receiver, but I see offensive tackle as the team’s biggest need with no one currently slated to be the starting left tackle.
San Francisco 49ers
Key acquisitions: DT Maliek Collins, DE Leonard Floyd, DE Yetur Gross-Matos, DT Jordan Elliott, LB De’Vondre Campbell, CB Isaac Yiadom, LB Zeke Turner, QB Josh Dobbs, CB Rock Ya-Sin, WR Trent Taylor
Re-signed: DT Kevin Givens, G Jon Feliciano, LB Demetrius Flanagan-Fowles, G Ben Bartch, QB Brandon Allen, WR Chris Conley
Departures: DT Arik Armstead (Jaguars), DT Javon Kinlaw (Jets), DE Chase Young (Saints), LB Oren Burks (Eagles), DE Clelin Ferrell (Commanders), WR Ray-Ray McCloud (Falcons), QB Sam Darnold (Vikings), CB Isaiah Oliver (Jets), TE Charlie Woerner (Falcons), OT Matt Pryor (Bears), DT Sebastian Joseph-Day (Titans), DE Randy Gregory (Buccaneers)
Remaining free agents: S Tashaun Gipson, TE Ross Dwelley
Analysis: A lot of defensive turnover for this 49ers roster. They brought in some big names in Maliek Collins, Leonard Floyd and De’Vondre Campbell with solid depth guys in Yetur Gross-Matos and Jordan Elliott, but they’re replacing some big guys. Arik Armstead was released in a cap move, and Oren Burks, Javon Kinlaw and Chase Young signed elsewhere. They did a good job filling each hole and leaving no vacancies. Their cornerback depth was an issue last year so they added Isaac Yiadom and Rock Ya-Sin, both with starting experience.
Conclusion: Not a ton to digest here, they replaced the guys they lost and added some depth. No changes to the offense, but the Brandon Aiyuk contract situation remains unresolved. I’d be shocked if he’s traded mid-draft, but no matter what I see wide receiver and edge rusher as their top needs.
Seattle Seahawks
Key acquisitions: QB Sam Howell, LB Jerome Baker, S Rayshawn Jenkins, T George Fant, C Nick Harris, TE Pharaoh Brown, LB Tyrel Dodson, G Tremayne Anchrum, S K’Von Wallace, DT Johnathan Hankins, WR Laviska Shenault, G Laken Tomlinson
Re-signed: DE Leonard Williams, TE Noah Fant, CB Artie Burns
Departures: LB Bobby Wagner (Commanders), S Jamal Adams, S Quandre Diggs, LB Jordyn Brooks (Dolphins), TE Will Dissly (Chargers), G Damien Lewis (Panthers), RB Deejay Dallas (Cardinals), C Evan Brown (Cardinals), QB Drew Lock (Giants), DT Bryan Mone, FB Nick Bellore, TE Colby Parkinson (Rams), LB Devin Bush (Browns), DE Mario Edwards Jr. (Texans)
Remaining free agents: G Phil Haynes, T Jason Peters
Analysis: A huge change for the Seahawks this offseason following the departure of longtime head coach Pete Carroll, getting replaced by Ravens DC Mike Macdonald. They parted with a lot of key defensive starters in Quandre Diggs, Jamal Adams and Jordyn Brooks, and brought in some names. Longtime Dolphins starting inside linebacker Jerome Baker joins the squad to replace Brooks and Bobby Wagner, and Rayshawn Jenkins comes in to start at safety.
They also traded for former Commanders starting QB Sam Howell to backup Geno Smith (and maybe be the future?). They added some starting depth at offensive line with old friend George Fant and Laken Tomlinson, and a pass catcher in Laviska Shenault.
Conclusion: Expect this to be a rough season in Seattle. I don’t like the current state of this roster and needs help nearly everywhere. They could go QB, OL, WR, EDGE, DB really anywhere. The Seahawks are notorious for taking no-name guys early, but with a new regime, things may change and they could make a big splash at 16.
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