Inside the War Room: NFC West
by Dave Gardner
In their bi-weekly column, writers Luke Paul Chandler and Dave Gardner will be describing each team’s last draft class, top needs and draft strategies all the way up until the draft. Today, Dave takes a look at the NFC West.
Arizona Cardinals
Draft Strategy
Since taking over as general manager and vice president of football operations, Rod Graves has been a bit of an inconsistent drafter. However, he has had a few exceptional drafts. In 2004, he picked Larry Fitzgerald in the first round, Karlos Dansby in the second round and Darnell Dockett in the third round. He does tend to build around team need rather than best player available, but has been known to fire back the other way as well. He also seems to be a better evaluator of offensive talent, and he rarely finds late-round gems. With the Cardinals looking for an immediate impact player at running back and in the secondary, don’t be surprised if those needs are filled in the first two rounds. Regardless of his flaws, Graves has added a significant amount of talent to this team over four drafts, and has even Arizona fans thinking about the playoffs.
A Look Back
- Picks (Round Picked in Parentheses): Levi Brown (OT - 1), Alan Branch (DT - 2), Buster Davis (LB - 3), Steve Breaston (WR/RS - 5), Ben Patrick (TE - 7)
- Comments: Many believed that the Cardinals reached for Levi Brown when they selected him with the fifth pick overall. However, grabbing a franchise tackle to protect Matt Leinart’s blindside as he develops should prove to be a wise decision. Grabbing Alan Branch, the draft’s second-most exciting free fall (besides Brady Quinn), was also a steal for the Cardinals. After showing his potential at the end of the season, he should figure to be a hog on the defensive line for a decade. Steve Breaston and Ben Patrick look like they will contribute to a thriving passing game. Breaston is more of a threat as a return specialist right now, but he showed his potential as a receiver with two touchdowns over the last five games. The other player, linebacker Buster Davis, was cut and picked up by the Lions but only saw the field once.
Free Agency Free-For-All
- Key Losses: Bryant Johnson (San Francisco), Calvin Pace (New York Jets)
- Key Additions: Travis LaBoy (Tennessee), Clark Haggans (Pittsburgh)
- Top Remaining Needs: Running back, cornerback, safety, defensive end, offensive line, kicker
————————————————————————————–
St. Louis Rams
Draft Strategy
The Rams seem to be crippled by a couple of bad draft classes. They had what many assumed to be a good balance of veterans and young players going into last season. It’s funny how much difference a year makes. The team now considers itself to be a in a pseudo-rebuilding phase. Under Jay Zigmunt, the Rams have been inconsistent at best. Zigmunt seems to have a very certain draft board, and he isn’t afraid to make a pick earlier than the experts would agree with. If Scott Linehan is on the hot seat this season, Zigmunt should be as well.
A Look Back
- Picks (Round Picked in Parentheses): Adam Carriker (DE/DT - 1), Brian Leonard (RB/FB - 2), Jonathon Wade (CB - 3), Dustin Fry (C - 5), Clifton Ryan (DT - 5), Ken Shackleford (OT - 6), Keith Jackson (DT - 7), Derek Stanley (WR - 7)
- Comments: First-round pick Adam Carriker seemed to settle into the inside of the defense, but depending on how the draft unfolds, he may have to move back outside to defensive end. Second-round pick Brian Leonard showed some bright spots in his play, but he hit the rookie wall very early in the season, failing to be effective after week six. Jonathon Wade and Clifton Ryan also showed some promise as rookies, but in limited roles. As the team’s depth is lacking in several key areas, they may insert these players into more predominant roles in 2008. The Rams most glaring need is on both of the lines, and this draft is rich in offensive linemen. It will be interesting to see in what order they look to fill the holes in their roster.
Free Agency Free-For-All
- Key Losses: Brandon Chillar (Green Bay), Gus Frerotte (Minnesota), Isaac Bruce (cut - San Francisco)
- Key Additions: Josh Brown (Seattle), Reche Caldwell (Washington), Trent Green (Miami),
- Top Remaining Needs: Left tackle, defensive end, offensive guard, outside linebacker, wide receiver, cornerback, quarterback
————————————————————————————–
San Francisco 49ers
Draft Strategy
In his two seasons as de facto general manager, head coach Mike Nolan didn’t even seem to choose the best player available - he seemed to choose the best athlete available. In his first draft with the team, he took Vernon Davis and Manny Lawson in the first round. Injuries have limited both players. Although general manager Scot McCloughan will have final say in personal decisions, Nolan will likely continue to have a large say in those final decisions. As such, the 49ers will likely continue to add playmakers to the defense. Perhaps this year, with so many glaring needs, the 49ers will go with the top player on their boards at every juncture of the draft.
A Look Back
- Picks (Round Picked in Parentheses): Patrick Willis (1), Joe Staley (1), Jason Hill (3), Ray McDonald (3), Jay Moore (4), Dashon Godson (4), Joe Cohen (4), Tarell Brown (5), Thomas Clayton (6)
- Comments: This class only featured three players who saw significant playing time - first-round picks Patrick Willis and Joe Staley and fifth-round pick Dashon Godson. Willis is already a household name and a Pro Bowler after leading the league in tackles. Dashon Godson was forced into action, but showed enough to warrant competition at safety position. On the other side of the ball, Joe Staley showed quick feet and power while starting all 16 games. The rest of the class didn’t impress, but didn’t play very much. Of the rest of the field, Ray McDonald looks like he will be a valuable player in the defensive line rotation, at the very least.
Free Agency Free-For-All
- Key Losses: Bryant Young (retirement), Larry Allen (retirement), Justin Smiley (Miami), Marques Douglas (Tampa), Kwame Harris (Oakland)
- Key Additions: Bryant Johnson (Arizona), Justin Smith (Cincinatti), DeShaun Foster (Carolina), Isaac Bruce (St. Louis), J.T. O’Sullivan (Detroit)
- Top Remaining Needs: Wide receiver, defensive end, safety, offensive guard, 3-4 outside linebacker, offensive tackle, cornerback
————————————————————————————–
Seattle Seahawks
Draft Strategy
In a much debated situation in 2005, Tim Ruskell replaced Mike Holmgren (also the head coach) as general manager of the Seahawks. It proved to be an astute evaluation by the owners - in his first year as G.M., the Seahawks reached the Super Bowl. They were aided along the way by linebackers Lofa Tatupa and Leroy Hill, as well as center Chris Spencer. The Seahawks typically like to draft the best player available because they’ve got a good crop of veterans to help cover up some of their weaknesses. For example, last season the running game was terrible. But because of the efficiency of the passing game, the Seahawks still reached the postseason. Their top needs are playmakers on offense and an upgrade on the o-line. The Seahawks’ defense last season was a lot better than most anyone realizes.
A Look Back
- Picks (Round Picked in Parentheses): Josh Wilson (2), Brandon Mebane (3), Barak Atkins (4), Mansfield Wrotto (4), Will Herring (5), Courtney Taylor (6), Jordan Kent (6), Steve Vallos (7)
- Comments: Without their first rounder (because of the Deion Branch trade), the Seahawks knew that they couldn’t miss on the rest of their first-day picks. Cornerback Josh Wilson and defensive tackle Brandon Mebane were their second- and third-round picks, respectively, and each made significant contributions as rookies. Wilson didn’t develop into a starting corner immediately as they’d hoped, but he did seem to be turning the corner, and he was a dangerous kick returner. None of their second-day picks made significant contributions as rookies, but judging by their recent drafts, the Seahawks probably have one surprisingly good player in that group.
Free Agency Free-For-All
- Key Losses: Josh Brown (St. Louis), Chuck Darby (Detroit), D.J. Hackett (Carolina)
- Key Additions: Julius Jones (Dallas), T.J. Duckett (Detroit), Ellis Wyms (Minnesota), Mike Wahle (Carolina), Olindo Mare (New Orleans)
- Top Remaining Needs: Guard, Tight End, Wide Receiver, Defensive Tackle, Offensive Tackle, Outside Linebacker
Don’t fight it, write it! Got a question or a comment? Send it in to theconstantgardner@newerascouting.com. Include your name and hometown, and I might include you in an upcoming article (unless you instruct me otherwise).