NFC West Notes: Cardinals, 49ers, Rams, Seahawks

Cardinals

• Although Darren Urban of the Cardinals’ official site would like to see Arizona draft Clemson S/LB Isaiah Simmons at No. 8 overall, he thinks there could be some hesitation to draft Simmons given they failed to move Haason Reddick from inside to outside linebacker.
• However, Urban calls Simmons a “dynamic” player, and the Cardinals’ staff should already have an idea of how to use him.
• Urban could see the Cardinals drafting a running back, safety, offensive lineman, defensive lineman, and linebacker at some point. 
• Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson writes that he thinks the Cardinals are targeting an offensive tackle in a perfect world with the No. 8 pick. However, it depends on what their board looks like and who falls to their pick. 
• CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports the Falcons are still trying to get into the top-10 after being rebuffed by Washington. Atlanta is eyeing Arizona’s pick at No. 8 but a trade with the Browns at No. 10 might be more likely, with Florida CB C.J. Henderson and LSU DE K’Lavon Chaisson possible targets. 
• NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reports Wyoming LB Logan Wilson, who got an early jump on the pre-draft process prior to COVID-19 regulations, had in-person meetings with the Cardinals among other teams.

49ers

• The Athletic’s Matt Barrows mentions the Buccaneers as a team the 49ers could look to for tight end help, as they have O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate after just trading for Rob Gronkowski.
• San Francisco has been exploring adding a No. 2 tight end to take some of the load off George Kittle. 
• Barrows adds Appalachian State RB Darrynton Evans to the list of players the 49ers have spoken with. 
• Barrows points out the 49ers have spoken with Florida CB C.J. Henderson and he could be on the table for them at No. 13 overall. 
• ESPN’s Nick Wagoner mentions LSU WR Justin Jefferson as a name that hasn’t been connected much to the 49ers but is someone to watch tonight. 
• Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson writes the 49ers are seen as among one of the more aggressive trade-down candidates and could drop from both of their first-round picks at No. 13 and No. 31 overall. 
• Per ESPN’s Josina Anderson, 49ers GM John Lynch confirmed they’re getting “a lot” of trade interest for those two picks: “We don’t currently have a deal in place, but there’s still ample time.”
• Lynch added if the team sees a difference-maker available at their selection, “we’ll stand pat” and make the pick. 
• Adam Schefter reports that the 49ers are receiving “plenty fo action” for the No. 13 overall pick and have received multiple inquires today. San Francisco has made it clear that they’re open to trading down from No. 13.

Rams

• NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reports Wyoming LB Logan Wilson, who got an early jump on the pre-draft process prior to COVID-19 regulations, had in-person meetings with the Rams among other teams.
• Per ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry, Rams HC Sean McVay says the team is always looking to upgrade, but he “absolutely” has confidence in backup QB John Wolford to run the offense: “John Wolford is a guy that we’re very excited about. We feel like he is more than capable of continuing to ascend and develop.”

Seahawks

While the Seahawks had a need in their offensive line, they took the bargain-bin shopping approach in free agency this year. Seattle signed OT Brandon Shell, C B.J. Finney, OT Cedric Ogbuehi and G Chance Warmack to low-cost deals with the hope that would help solidify their line. Sometimes you get what you pay for in free agency, but Seahawks GM John Schneider is confident in these acquisitions. 

“We’re not break-the-bank free agency people,” Schneider said via ESPN’s Brady Henderson. “We look for commonalities and fits and what’s important for our quarterback. We love our quarterback, we want to have as many grown men in front of him as we possibly can. It was important for us to be able to identify some people early on and quite honestly we hit — in our mind — what was 1, 2 and 3 in free agency…So with Shell, Finney, Ogbuehi, Chance Warmack, his agent, staying in touch with him. He wanted to give it another shot. We still have a lot of tough decisions ahead of us, but this is an area where we felt like we could make a difference in free agency playing by our rules and what our philosophy is and trying to protect our quarterback in the best fashion we possibly could.”

The other under-the-radar addition that has the Seahawks excited is the trade for CB Quinton Dunbar from the Redskins. Seahawks HC Pete Carroll thinks Dunbar has the traits to thrive in Seattle. 

“I’m excited about this guy. He’s a playmaker and we need depth at corner, we need to cover people up,” Carroll said via Henderson. “We need to be able to match up really well, continue to do that. The division continues to get more difficult and challenging, excellent players coming in. So for us to figure out a chance to get Quinton and all that was great.”