2020 NFL Offseason Survival Guide- NFC West
Over the next few weeks I will be doing a deep analysis of the needs of all 32 NFL teams, broken down by division. The NFL Offseason is going on as planned and free agency is just about over with. Key departures, team needs, and predictions with up to the minute updates as guys continue to sign elsewhere. NFL fans’ most hopeful day of the year is coming on April 23rd and every team is a winner during draft season…
San Francisco 49ers
Outlook
At the trade deadline last season, the San Francisco 49ers traded for pro bowler Emmanuel Sanders. The receiver was a major catalyst for QB Jimmy Garoppolo and a reliable safety net. He badly beat Chiefs secondary members, Rashad Fenton and Charvarius Ward, for what would have been a go-ahead Super Bowl touchdown in the final minute. That gamebreaking type playmaking is exactly what the 49ers need to add in this year’s draft. This team is absolutely loaded on both sides of the ball and made a trip to the Super Bowl this past season. The goal for the 49ers this offseason is to replace the production of their two big losses DeForest Buckner and Emmanuel Sanders. Jimmy G will look to take a step forward and another year under Deebo Samuel’s belt will be a step in the right direction in a complicated Kyle Shanahan offense.
Key Departures- Emmanuel Sanders, DeForest Buckner
Additions: Travis Benjamin
Team Needs- WR, CB, DL
Team Cap Space: $13,975,456
Picks: Round 1 pick 11 & 31 Round 5: 156 & 176 Round 6: 210 Round 7: 217 & 245
Draft Day Strategy:
The 49ers are in a unique situation. They have an extremely talented roster, coach ready to win, and inexpensive QB under a long-term contract. Raheem Mostert appears to be their running back of the future and they can also mix in Breida and Jerrick McKinnon. Losing Buckner and Sanders are big blows to a team with two top picks and very little after that. They traded their second rounder for Dee Ford in 2019 and their third and fourth rounders went to Denver for Emmanuel Sanders.
According to overthecap.com, the 49ers have just under $14 million left to spend in free agency but they still need to save cap space to sign their rookies once drafted. More than likely, these needs must be filled through the draft. Expect the 49ers to take heavy looks at WRs Jerry Jeudy, Ceedee Lamb, and Henry Ruggs. If they choose to continue to add to the defensive line that already features Nick Bosa and Arik Armstead, they could look at Derrick Brown and Javon Kinlaw. The uniqueness of their situation allows the 49ers to draft best player available as well because their team is littered with talent. The embarrassment of riches could see them jump at an offensive lineman. Tristan Wirfs and Jedrick Wills could be sitting there at pick 11. Expect pick 31 to address a need or be moved as pick 31 is typically a hot spot for trades, three of the last five years the pick has been traded.
Seattle Seahawks
Outlook
The Seahawks had an interesting 2019 season. Their team was absolutely demolished by injury losing both of their running backs and big pieces of their secondary. They found a diamond in the rough with wide receiver D.K. Metcalf who will be going on his sophomore season and Tyler Lockett who broke out last season. Before all of that it must start with the savior of Seattle, Russell Wilson who can put the entire team on his back by running for his life when offensive line cannot block and run for a first down when their running back is, an out of shape Marshawn Lynch. Seattle desperately needs to add depth on both sides of the line and the secondary. The Seahawks brought in Clowney prior to the start of last year and were still the second lowest in the NFL in sacks. Clowney is now a free agent who they have yet to bring back but regardless they will still need to draft a defensive lineman.
Key Departures: Jadeveon Clowney, Ezekial Ansah, Josh Gordon, Mike Lupati, Mychal Kendricks
Additions: Quinton Dunbar, Greg Olson, Phillip Dorsett
Team Needs: DL, OL, Secondary
Team Cap Space: $14,825,497
Picks: Round 1: 27 Round 2: 59 & 64 Round 3: 101 & 133 Round 4: 144 Round 5: 162 Round 6: 214
Draft Day Strategy:
The Seattle Seahawks have a lot of needs to fill on their roster. It feels like if the Seahawks were going to sign Jadeveon Clowney, they would have done it already. When he was there, he did not exactly move the needle for them, being in the bottom half in the league at rushing the passer. Expect the Seahawks to draft a defensive back, defensive lineman, and offensive lineman throughout this draft. As for their top pick at 27, they will be heavily considering players such as, do it all safety Antoine Winfield, Defensive end AJ Epenesa, and offensive tackle Josh Jones.
This all centers around if they throw money at Clowney to retain him. Should they decide to bring Clowney back, they will probably not want to spend the early draft capital on another defensive lineman. Secondary is quite shallow in this draft so if the top safety Antoine Winfield is not available, be prepared to see them draft DB Noah Igbinoghene from Auburn.
Arizona Cardinals
Outlook
The Cardinals are widely considered to be the big winners of the 2020 NFL offseason. Top playmaking wide receiver Deandre Hopkins is now a member of the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for a second-round draft pick and David Johnson. Reigning Rookie of the Year Kyler Murray is poised to build on his big rookie season. Coach Kliff Kingsbury put a lot on the plate of his young star QB and he flourished. The next steps for the Cardinals will be continue the development of the former first overall pick and surround him with talent. Step 1 is complete clearly with the Cardinals adding Kenyon Drake midseason and recently trading just a second rounder for Deandre Hopkins. Now to keep the quarterback upright? That is another story….
Key Additions: Deandre Hopkins, Kenyon Drake (midseason), De’Vondre Campbell, Devon Kennard, Jordan Phillips
Key Departures: David Johnson, Rodney Gutner
Team Needs: OL, LB, DL, Secondary
Team Cap Space: $7,091,015
Picks: Round 1: 8 Round 3: 72 Round 4: 114 & 131 Round 5: 154 Round 6: 202 Round 7: 222
Draft Day Strategy:
Cards’ coaches raved about Andy Isabella last season, the former second round pick was limited in his play time, but he will be an outstanding 4th receiver preceded by Christian Kirk, Larry Fitzgerald and Deandre Hopkins. They are not expected to add to the receiver room and the overwhelming expectation is that the Cards’ will draft an offensive lineman with their first pick. This will come down to who they like the most at the time of the draft through their due diligence and interviews. Mekhi Becton, Tristan Wirfs, and Jedrick Wills Jr. will all be in the conversation at 8. Expect whoever interviews the best will get the pick from Arizona, Mekhi Becton could be the pick if he is still there. He is the top tackle on many boards.
Los Angeles Rams
Outlook
The Los Angeles Rams know exactly where they are in terms of geography. Last year the LA Rams made a big splash by adding Jalen Ramsey one of the top cover corners in the NFL. They need to continue making big splashes in order to keep fans entertained and build a championship contender like they were just a few years ago. Rumbling have the Rams looking to move former Patriots receiver Brandin Cooks and clear up some cap space. They already made a big move by moving on from Todd Gurley who has declined as rapidly as we’ve seen from a player in recent years. Jared Goff was largely disappointing after the Super Bowl run from 2018 leaving questions about his ability to lead a championship contending team on a big contract. There is a lot of work ahead for the former NFC Champions.
Key Departures: Todd Gurley, Clay Matthews, Dante Fowler, Cory Littleton, Greg Zuerlein
Key Additions: Michael Brockers (resigned), Leonard Floyd, A’Shawn Robinson, Andrew Whitworth (resigned)
Team Needs: OL, DL, RB, LB, K
Team Cap Space: $2,909,168
Picks: Round 2: 52 Round 3: 84 & 104 Round 4: 126 Round 6: 199 Round 7: 234
Draft Day Strategy:
The Rams do not have much draft capital to play with this season and future seasons. They have an abundance of needs on their roster, little to no cap space, and fan base that is teetering on disengagement with the steady flow of sports and entertainment content that is filtered into that area (just ask the Chargers). The Rams need to completely revamp this roster through the draft but they will want to make splashy moves to keep fans filtering into their new stadium. The Rams trading two first round picks for Jalen Ramsey, forced to cut an under performing and unhappy Todd Gurley, as well as the big contracts of Cooks and Goff has strapped the Rams to developing talent and drafting extremely well late in drafts. Expect the Rams to draft heavily on both sides of the line as keeping Goff upright should be their biggest priority. In order to get strong QB play from Goff, which he has shown in spurts, interior offensive line should be their second round and third round picks. Expect them to do everything they can to move Brandin Cooks on draft day and pick up a receiver in a loaded WR draft as well.
- Thanks for reading and follow my twitter account @HuggingLines for more sports content including highlights, giveaways, and up to the minute sports news. I will be doing draft primers and needs analysis for teams up until draft day. Read my last story about the White Night of Covid-19 who was once destined for NFL greatness. Talk to you all soon 😎
