What NFL Teams Need/Want In The Offseason: NFC West
Note: This is an eight-part series that will run each day on OutKick, with one division in the NFL covered each day. Find the whole series here.
49ers: Unlike their Super Bowl opponents, the 49ers have some significant problems to address and not a ton of salary cap space (approximately $6 million, according to Spotrac). The cap space can be addressed by restructuring a handful of cornerstone players, including George Kittle, Arik Armstead, Fred Warner and Deebo Samuel, to create nearly $60 million in cap space, if that's what GM John Lynch wants to do. And he might do it because Nick Bosa is the only proven pass rusher signed for 2024, while Chase Young, Clelin Ferrell and Randy Gregory are free agents. The offensive tackle situation is also a concern because left tackle Trent Williams is 35 years old and right tackle Colton McKivitz yielded nine sacks and struggled in the Super Bowl. There are other depth issues, like at quarterback, but those will be addressed as they always are. A big advantage for the Niners is they have 11 draft picks, including two third-rounders, two fourth-rounders and three sixth-rounders.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 17: Deebo Samuel #19 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Michael Hoecht #97 of the Los Angeles Rams during the fourth quarter at SoFi Stadium on September 17, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Rams: They're out of salary cap and draft pick jail! They have approximately $52 million in cap space and own a first-round draft pick for the first time since 2016. That's a big deal. They could perhaps improve their pass rush with the return of Leonard Floyd, who is an unrestricted free agent. They can address their cornerback issues in the draft, where they have six picks in the first five rounds (including No. 19 overall and two selections in the fifth round). The Rams paid a steep price to win that Super Bowl a few years ago. But they returned to the playoffs last year, have a young roster, and have resources to get significantly better this offseason.
Seahawks: They're in a division with Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay. They need to figure out how to stop those offenses. Enter new coach Mike Macdonald, who will remake the defense in his preferred image. The Seahawks have a reputation for maximizing their draft picks and they must do that again this offseason because their $16 million in cap space is modest, considering defensive tackle Leonard Williams and inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks are unrestricted free agents. Say good-bye to Bobby Wagner. Again.
Cardinals: If the Cardinals don't pick receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth overall selection of the draft, Kyler Murray may freak. He lacked playmaker options on the outside at the end of the season and Harrison is the draft's so-called can't miss playmaker. It might be good to re-sign Murray pal Marquise Brown if he can be had at a bargain price. Beyond that, coach Jonathan Gannon needs to fix that defense. It was 31st in points allowed last season, which is terrible considering Gannon is a former defensive coordinator. The Cards need help at cornerback, edge rusher and interior defensive line. Otherwise, they're set on defense. The beauty here is the Cardinals have two first-round picks, three third-round picks, and two fifth-round picks. Opportunities for significant improvement exist.