2020 Offseason Team Needs: NFC West

Cardinals

Projected Cap Space: $40,001,044*

*roughly includes OT D.J. Humphries‘ three-year, $45 million extension.

Draft Picks: 7

• 1st (No. 8)
• 2nd (No. 40)
• 3rd (No. 72)
• 4th (No. 104)
• 5th (No. 135, from MIA)
• 6th (No. 183, from NE)
• 7th (No. 200)

Notable Free Agents:

• RB Kenyan Drake, OT Marcus Gilbert, C A.Q. Shipley, G Max Garcia, TE Charles Clay, DL Rodney Gunter, QB Brett Hundley, LB Brooks Reed, OT Jordan Mills, LB Joe Walker, WR Damiere Byrd, DE Cassius Marsh, K Zane Gonzalez (RFA), DT Zach Kerr, DT Jonathan Bullard, CB Kevin Peterson (RFA), WR Pharoh Cooper, DT Caraun Reid, DT Clinton McDonald, S Chris Banjo.

Team Needs:

1. Defensive Line

The Cardinals seem like they’ve done the hard part and found a franchise quarterback following the successful rookie season from No. 1 overall pick Kyler Murray. Now the task turns to building around Murray and putting him in an environment to be successful. That would seem to suggest bolstering his receiving corps and offensive line, and those are definitely needed. However, Arizona gave up the most yards in the NFL on defense in 2019 while the offense was 16th in scoring. Building up the defensive line, which is notably bare except for last year’s third-round DL Zach Allen, would go a long way toward solving that issue. 

1. Offensive Line

The Cardinals already made one move to fortify the protection around Murray, extending LT D.J. Humphries for three years. At the other side, Justin Murray should definitely be back at right tackle as an exclusive rights free agent. But the Cardinals should bring in competition. Same at center, where 2018 third-round pick Mason Cole is slated to replace A.Q. Shipley if he leaves in free agency. 

1. Wide Receiver

The ageless Larry Fitzgerald is back for another season and the Cardinals have Christian Kirk plus the three receivers drafted in 2019. So there are some pieces to work with for Arizona here. However, Cardinals HC Kliff Kingsbury would probably like to find a future No. 1 receiver for Murray. Fitzgerald is year-to-year, Kirk seems to be more of a complementary slot receiver, and Arizona got varying degrees of nothing from second-round WR Andy Isabella, fourth-round WR Hakeem Butler and sixth-round WR KeeSean Johnson. In a banner draft class of wide receivers, it’s hard to see Kingsbury resisting the urge to dip again in 2020. 

49ers

Projected Cap Space: $12,898,285

Draft Picks: 6

• 1st (No. 31)
• 5th (No. 139, from DEN)
• 5th (No. 159)
• 6th (No. 191)
• 7th (No. 195, from DET)
• 7th (No. 223)

Notable Free Agents:

• DE Arik Armstead, WR Emmanuel Sanders, S Jimmie Ward, CB Jason Verrett, DE Ronald Blair, WR Kendrick Bourne (RFA), DT Sheldon Day, RB Matt Breida (RFA), C Ben Garland, TE Levine Toilolo, LB Elijah Lee (RFA), WR Jordan Matthews, OT Shon Coleman, DE Damontre Moore, CB Dontae Johnson.

Team Needs:

1. Center

It’s hard to find a lot of holes on San Francisco’s roster coming off a Super Bowl appearance. Considering the relative lack of cap space and the fact the 49ers have just one pick before the fifth round, that’s a good thing. One potential need, though, is at center, where starter Weston Richburg is coming off a severe knee injury. His replacement, Ben Garland, is currently slated to be a free agent, so there’s not a clear option on the roster if Richburg hits a snag in his recovery. 

1. Defensive Line

The 49ers’ defensive line was the strongest part of the team in 2019. Heading into 2019, it definitely can’t be called a weakness. However, there’s some work to do if San Francisco wants to keep its strength strong. Hybrid DL Arik Armstead and his 10 sacks are poised to leave for a mega-deal on the open market, though the 49ers have mentioned the possibility of using the franchise tag. San Francisco also has some injuries that have weakened the depth on the line. Building the unit into one of the NFL’s best has been a priority for GM John Lynch, keeping it that way will likely be one, too. 

1. Wide Receiver

San Francisco traded for veteran WR Emmanuel Sanders before the deadline last season, and while his impact wasn’t always felt statistically, the entire 49ers receiving corps benefited from his presence. Both sides have expressed a desire for a reunion in 2020, but that doesn’t always translate into a done deal. Beyond 2019 second-round WR Deebo Samuel, San Francisco’s receiving corps is full of question marks. The team could use some answers. 

Rams

Projected Cap Space: $14,716,619

Draft Picks: 7, including one compensatory pick per Over The Cap’s projections.

• 2nd (No. 52)
• 3rd (No. 84)
• 4th (No. 116)
• 4th (Comp)
• 5th (No. 156, from BAL)
• 6th (No. 180)
• 7th (No. 212)

Notable Free Agents:

• LT Andrew Whitworth, DE Dante Fowler, LB Cory Littleton, DT Michael Brockers, K Greg Zuerlein, S Marqui Christian, QB Blake Bortles, G Austin Blythe, DE Morgan Fox (RFA), LB Bryce Hager, WR Mike Thomas.

Team Needs:

1. Defensive Line

Looking to bolster their edge rush after losing DE Robert Quinn, the Rams traded for former first-round DE Dante Fowler from the Jaguars in 2018. He experienced a career renaissance this past season with 11.5 sacks, but unfortunately for the Rams that means there’s a strong chance the 25-year-old may have priced himself out of their market. There’s no clear replacement for Fowler on the roster right now, to say nothing of the fact that Los Angeles is poised to lose DL Michael Brockers as well.  

1. Left Tackle

While the Rams’ offensive line regressed overall in 2019, injuries were largely to blame, and with the opportunity that provided to younger players, 2020 should be better by default. However, Los Angeles still doesn’t have a long-term answer at left tackle to replace 38-year-old Andrew Whitworth. It seems like the Rams will prioritize re-signing the veteran, but that’s just a band-aid solution that needs a long-term answer. 

1. Linebacker

Even though the Rams’ could create a lot more cap flexibility than it initially appears by restructuring some contracts, Los Angeles is still unlikely to bring back LB Cory Littleton. The former undrafted free agent should find himself a big payday on the open market, and Los Angeles has traditionally de-emphasized inside linebackers. Still, the Rams need to have more options aside from Troy Reeder, Kenny Young, Travin Howard and Micah Kiser in 2020. 

Seahawks

Projected Cap Space: $50,775,222

Draft Picks: 9, including three compensatory picks according to Over The Cap’s projections.

• 1st (No. 27)
• 2nd (No. 59)
• 2nd (No. 64, from KC)
• 3rd (Comp)
• 4th (No. 123)
• 4th (Comp)
• 5th (No. 137, from JAX)
• 6th (Comp)
• 7th (No. 219)

Notable Free Agents:

• DE Jadeveon Clowney, OT Germain Ifedi, DT Jarran Reed, OT George Fant, G Mike Iupati, DE Ezekiel Ansah, LB Mychal Kendricks, DT Al Woods, DE Quinton Jefferson, C Joey Hunt (RFA), TE Jacob Hollister (RFA), DE Branden Jackson (RFA), WR David Moore (RFA), WR Josh Gordon, WR Jaron Brown, S Akeem King, TE Luke Willson, RB C.J. Prosise, RB Marshawn Lynch, CB Neiko Thorpe, RB Robert Turbin, QB Geno Smith, DE Dekoda Watson. 

Team Needs:

1. Defensive Line

Entering the 2020 offseason, Seattle’s biggest need by far is to replenish on the defensive line. The Seahawks had the second-fewest sacks in the NFL with just 28 last season despite trading for DE Jadeveon Clowney. Retaining Clowney would be at the top of the team’s wishlist, but without the ability to use the franchise tag it seems like he’ll test the open market, where he’s fair game for anyone. Beyond that, Seahawks DT Jarran Reed is also a pending free agent. Even if Seattle is somehow able to recruit both to come back, adding another effective front-four player would help push the Seahawks back to their glory days on defense. 

1. Right Tackle

Seahawks QB Russell Wilson has notably spoken up this offseason about getting more weapons and opening up the offense. That was the reasoning behind signing TE Greg Olsen and a case can be made Seattle needs to add a third wide receiver. But before that, there’s a hole at right tackle that needs to be filled. Germain Ifedi is a free agent and might be able to get more from another team than what the Seahawks can pay. Re-signing George Fant is an option, as he wants a starting job, but if not then Seattle will have to address the hole in Wilson’s protection. 

1. Cornerback

One of the running storylines for the Seahawks in 2019 was how often they played in their base 4-3 defense with three linebackers on the field. Modern NFL defenses trend more towards nickel to combat the number of receivers offenses are lining up, however, Seattle didn’t feel like it could trust its depth in the secondary. Finding a reliable slot corner and potentially an upgrade over No. 2 corner Tre Flowers, who was ranked 102nd out of 113 by Pro Football Focus among NFL corners in 2019, should be on Seattle’s offseason shopping list.