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NFL Top Offseason Needs - NFC West
- Ryan Mobley
- Feb 15
- 6 min read
Couch GM season is here! The interim time between the Super Bowl and the beginning of free agency (March 12th 2025) is filled with optimism for most fans. You get to speculate what top prospect will fall to you in the draft, convince yourself that Myles Garrett is on his way, and pretend the salary cap doesn’t exist. PFF Mock Draft simulator is a permanent tab on your computer and each new big board ranking will either infatuate or infuriate you.
The layout will be broken into 3 tiers:
Top Priority: Biggest positional/situational flaw with the current roster
Next Up: Not a massive problem now but could be down the road
Take a swing: Not a need, but the addition would make you feel something
Seattle Seahawks: 2024 Record (10-7) || 2nd Place NFC West
Top pending free agents: Ernest Jones IV, Jarran Reed, Laken Tomlinson
Top Priority: Interior Offensive Line
Good news, the Seahawks finally saw steady play from 2022 1st round pick Charles Cross at left tackle. Bad news, the rest of their offensive line was BAD. They struggled to keep Geno’s jersey clean all year, giving up 50 total sacks making him the 5th most sacked QB in the NFL. This draft class does appear to have some quality talent on the inside, hopefully the Seahawks can find something they like on Day 1 of the draft.
Next Up: Pass Catchers / Linebackers
The Seahawks cap situation is ugly heading into 2025. There is a real shot we see both Tyler Lockett and Noah Fant as cap casualties which would leave the Seahawks with nearly 100 receptions to replace. At LB, one of their top defensive players Ernest Jones IV is set to become an unrestricted free agent. While there have been talks of the two potentially making something work in March, the Seahawks have to feel uncomfortable with a team leader that they sent a 4th round pick for hitting the open market.
Take a Swing: Find a future at QB
Geno Smith hasn’t wasted his second chance as a starter in the NFL, leading the Seahawks to 3 straight winning seasons and a playoff appearance. The problem is that a playoff appearance is starting to feel like the ceiling with Geno. With a young head coach and a roster that doesn’t scream super bowl, it might be time to look for a future under center. Jaxson Dart is a name that comes to mind for Seattle and they might be able to snag him in Day 2.
Arizona Cardinals: 2024 Record (8-9) || 3rd Place NFC West
Top pending free agents: Kyzir White, Baron Browning, Dennis Gardeck, Will Hernandez
Top Priority: Pass Rushers
The Cardinals have some young upside on their defensive line with top edge rusher Zaven Collins and last year's 1st round pick Darius Robinson, but the unit as a whole leaves a lot to be desired. BJ Ojulari’s recovery from his ACL tear will also be a big storyline for them this offseason. With Baron Browning and Dennis Gardeck set to hit free agency, they’ll need to regroup and reload, investing their early picks in a deep defensive line class.
Next Up: Fill out the IOL
Arizona needs to either resign or replace over 75% of snaps at guard. Out of their impending free agents Will Hernandez has to be a clear focal point for the offseason plan. Arizona’s guards gave up 58 pressures last season, and while it's fair to point out the injuries, this position group diluted a productive offense. If Arizona misses out on the limited free agent market for IOL, Alabama’s Tyler Booker or Missouri’s Armand Membou would be great options at pick #16.
Take a Swing: Spend that available Cap on a defensive leader
This isn’t a jaw dropping take but Arizona needs a sideline to sideline linebacker if Kyzir White takes his talent’s elsewhere. They’ll also need a leader in the front 7 in general, Dre Greenlaw comes to mind as well as Philadelphia’s Milton Williams and Kansas City linebacker Nick Bolton. Getting a guy who’s been on a deep playoff run is essential for installing an identity for their young group up front. They currently have $70+ million available to spend, a big fish might be on the way.
San Francisco 49ers: 2024 Record (6-11) || 4th Place NFC West
Top pending free agents: Dre Greenlaw, Charvarius Ward, Talanoa Hufanga
Top Priority: Offensive Line
This is definitely a vague category but outside of rookie standout Dominick Puni at RG, the 49ers are in need of a long term solution at every other spot on the line. Trent Williams is still one of the best in the game but is entering his age 37 season without a clear answer behind him on the depth chart. They are likely moving on from starting LG Aaron Banks and in total are looking to replace about 1,200 snaps on the OL. There are intriguing options in free agency specifically at Center and LG with the top targets being Drew Dalman and Tevin Jenkins. Realistically the 49ers will find themselves in a great spot to upgrade the trenches at pick #11 and spend free agency money on defensive help.
Next Up: Interior Defensive Line
John Lynch took a big swing in 2023 and signed Javon Hargrave to a massive contract…and he whiffed. It’s been pretty public that he'll be cut with a post June 1st designation and this leaves a massive hole in the 49ers defensive line that was continuously thrashed in 2024. As mentioned before this year’s defensive line class looks DEEP and the Niners currently hold 3 picks on Day 2. Their defensive quality control coach KJ Wright represented the Niners at the Senior Bowl, coaching up some of the draft's top players in the front 7. Don’t be surprised to see them invest heavily in the trenches this April, specifically at Defensive Tackle.
Take a Swing: Bring in an alpha to pair with Nick Bosa
The 49ers have failed to find a true compliment to Nick Bosa since Charles Omenihue took off for the Chiefs. Leonard Floyd was a nice get last year but we’ve seen some major headlines regarding potential trades for top edge rushers around the league. Being transparent, I’m a 49er fan and would hate to see them go all in on an edge rusher with the amount of holes their current roster has. That being said there is a lot of buzz surrounding Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby, realistically I think Joey Bosa potentially being a cap casualty and coming to the Bay is much more practical.
Los Angeles Rams: 2024 Record (10-7) || 1st Place NFC West
Top pending free agents: Alaric Jackson, Ahkello Witherspoon, Michael Hoecht
Top Priority: Offensive Tackle
Alaric Jackson is set for a solid payday this March and longtime Ram Joe Noteboom is almost certainly gone after another frustrating season. This leaves a pretty large hole at left tackle for the NFC West champs. Last year LA invested nearly $100 million into their interior offensive line, proving they are not afraid to be active in free agency to protect Matt Stafford. As of today they only have 3 top 100 picks in the 2025 draft, a couple of names that could be in play if they do invest in a LT: Josh Simmons (Ohio St) and Josh Cornerly Jr. (Oregon).
Next Up: Cornerback
Akhello Witherspoon drastically outplayed his contract this year, leading the Rams in pass breakups and providing reliable play on the outside. Their defensive front shined down the stretch, and Jared Verse became a household name in the playoffs before eventually winning Defensive rookie of the year. This year's free agency class features some high level players at corner. The Rams should look to obtain a premier talent on the outside like DJ Reed or Charvarius Ward to fortify their defense with a veteran leader.
Take a swing: Grab a WR to pair with Puka / Succession plan for Stafford
Cooper Kupp’s time with the Rams appears to be done after the 31 year old posted on multiple social media outlets of the team's intention to trade him this offseason. Kupp won the triple crown in 2021 en route to the Rams super bowl victory over the Bengals, safe to say he was viewed as a cornerstone in LA. To put it simply this is just another example of the NFL being a cut throat business. If the plan is to invest in pass catchers early in the draft there should be multiple solid options towards the end of the 1st round, if not Amari Cooper or Stefon Diggs are great veteran options for LA. Figuring out what the franchise looks like after Stafford is a hot topic for the Rams as well. Take a shot on day 3 of the draft? Trade Stafford for a solid pick? Justin Fields? The rumor mill is hot and the Rams have options.
- Ryan Mobley / Upside Play
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