2008 DRAFT 

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NFC WEST TEAM NEEDS
by Jay Goldberg

ARZ          Major Need          Need          Upgrade         Depth Need         Not a Need

QB  Leinart and Warner give the Cards a good one-two punch.  With Rattay and Hasselbeck also on the roster, the team is deep at this position.
RB  Arizona needs an explosive back to share the load with James in the short run and tale over in the long run.  Arrington and Shipp are replaceable backups, so the team may add two running backs, not just one.  Baylark has good running skills, but lacks speed.
WR  Surprised by the rating?  Well Fitzgerald will cost the Cards a ton of money under the cap this year because of the incentives he's reached.  The team will have to redo his contract, and that may not sit well with Boldin if the team doesn't have enough money under the cap to spend on two expensive receivers.  Add to that that Johnson is a free agent and there isn't a sure-thing replacement on the roster; and this team needs to bring in a receiver who can help some next year, and big time the following year.
TE I like the young tandem of Pope and Patrick.  Competition for camp always helps push young players.
OL  The right side is young and will improve.  Upgrades at left guard and center could be considered, but Wells and Johnson can hold their own if upgrades are not found.
DL I like Dockett and the new young nose tackles, Watson and Branch, and Branch could beat out Watson as the starter next year.  Smith held his own opposite Dockett, but if an upgrade could be found, making Smith the third end, the team's defense would be upgraded.
LB Dansby and Hayes are a solid pair of inside linebackers, but Dansby is a free agent.  However, the Cards are unlikely to allow him to leave.  Pace has developed into a nice 3-4 outside linebacker.  Okeafor was doing okay in his transition to outside linebacker before his injury, Berry, not so much.  Blackstock has disappointed the Cards and me.  I thought he was going to be great in the 3-4.  Arizona needs a backup inside linebacker (a starter if Dansby leaves), and an outside linebacker to push Okeafor. 
DB Hood and Green are decent corners, but neither top drawer.  The Cards should add a starter and move Green to the nickel.  If White comes back healthy, he's as good as it gets at strong safety.  Holt will likely be gone, with former corner Rolle the best bet on the roster to replace him (although Franciso will try, but is more of a strong safety type).  Arizona should add a free safety who can push to start as well.
ST A kicker and a punter could be added in the offseason.  Hodel is a good long snapper.  Breaston is a promising return man.

 

STL          Major Need          Need          Upgrade         Depth Need         Not a Need

QB  Bulgar is coming off a down year.  Frerotte is getting up there in age and was found lacking when called upon last year.  Berlin is a stop gap #3.  The Rams need to draft a young quarterback to groom and could find a replacement for Frerotte as Bulgar's top backup. 
RB The Rams have a very good and deep unit at running back with Jackson, Pittman, Leonard and Minor.  A blocking fullback could be added to help round out the running corps.
WR  It's time to bring in some young talent.  Holt and Bruce are an excellent starting tandem, but how long can Bruce keep on going?  Bennett has tools but spends too much time on the shelf.  There is very little behind these three, although Looker has reliable hands.
TE A new offensive coordinator may be just what Klopfenstein needs to finally reach his potential.  McMichael has had some very good years, but is inconsistent.  Byrd can't shale his off field issues.  Walker is coming back from injury and has been a solid player.  
OL Injuries plagued this unit all season so it's hard to evaluate the needs this offseason.  There are players with skills and potential, so I say, bring in a body or two to compete in case injured players do not heal well, but that's about it.
DL Little is coming back from injury and wasn't exactly a sack-demon before he went down.  The Rams need a pass rushing end badly.  At tackle Glover and Carricker are fine and Ryan showed promise as well.  I still believe Carricker should be used as an end on early downs and kick inside on passing downs.  He could be a larger version of the Giants' Tuck.
LB Chillar finally played to his potential, but is a free agent and there will be questions as to whether or not to give him a good contract based on his body of work.  Witherspoon continues to be a great free agent signing.  Tinoisamoa can't stay healthy.  He may not have the size to be a reliable starter.  The Rams could use at least one outside linebacker, two if Chillar walks.
DB I like the Rams' corners.  Hill is going to be a star; Brown is solid, and Bartell and Wade show promise.  Their safety tandem of Atogwe and Chavous is a nice mix odf experience and youth, ballhawking and run support.  While the Rams have some good backup safeties, none are serious contenders to take away playing time from the starters so if a good young safety could be added it would be a nice addition.
ST Even though Wilkins missed more kicks than usual, the Rams kicking game is in good hands.  So is their punting game.  Hall is a tough one to figure.  He has been dominate as a return man and also had some pedestrian years.  Look for the Rams to bring in some competition for Hall.

SF          Major Need          Need          Upgrade         Depth Need         Not a Need

QB  This situation is a mess.  I was in the minority, but I liked Rodgers better than Smith in his draft, and felt that there were a lot of questions surrounding Smith based on the fact that he threw to two receivers who dominated his league and were relatively slow receivers with little chance to make an impact in the NFL.  Hill played well at the end of the year, showed promise, but is a free agent.  Dilfer is a better analyst than quarterback right now.
RB  Gore is very good running back.  His backups, however, are not capable of stepping in as solid starters should he go down.
WR  Martz' system is a receiver-dominated offense.  Battle is a nice three for that system.  I thought Jackson had skills with Seattle, but was a drive-killer because of drops.  He can contribute some big plays, but a more reliable option would be preferred.  I like Hill and believe he will be a good #2 in Martz ' system.  The 49ers, however, need a #1 receiver.
TE Davis has the speed of a wide receiver, but Martz' offensives rarely utilized tight ends.  Walker and Bajema are enough for a team that will see tight end production and field time decrease.
OL  Staley, Baas and Heitmann are fine.  Synder could fill another role on the line (either LG or RT) but is better served as a versatile sub.  Worst case the 49ers need either a RT or LG especially if they do not bring back Smiley.  Allen will likey retire.
DL Young is retiring.  DE Douglas and NT Sopoaga are free agents.  Franklin shows promise.  Fields and Oliver have also been effective.  The 49ers need bodies, particularly at end.
 LB Willis could be the best inside linebacker in the NFL already.  Smith, Moore and Ulbrich are good complimentary players, although if the 49ers can find an upgrade, they will likely take it.  On the outside Lawson is coming back from injury and has not developed into the pass rushing force that was expected of him coming out of college.  Haralson, Moore, and Banta-Cain have pass rushing credentials, but here to, an upgrade could be addressed.
DB The 49ers could use a good young corner who could start as a nickel and eventually replace Harris.  At safety, Lewis was physical as expected and Roman was heady and steady, but is not a playmaker.  An upgrade at free safety could also be in order, but is not a necessity.
ST This is a tale of two cities.  Kicking, punting, long-snapping is in excellent hands.  A return man who can take it the distance is needed.

SEA          Major Need          Need          Upgrade         Depth Need         Not a Need

QB  Just a hunch, but I expect Holgrem to draft the Seahawks quarterback of the future this year before he retires.  Hasselbeck is solid.  Wallace is a short-term backup.  Frye is a mystery.
RB  Alexander looks like he is past his prime.  Morris is a nice back, but better suited as a backup.  Weaver is a very good fullback.  Look for the Seahawks to grab one of the talented running backs in this draft.  There is a lot of depth at the position in the draft. 
WR  Hackett is a free agent, Engram is a year older and Branch will probably start the year on the PUP.  Still the Seahawks have a solid receiving corps.  Burleson proved his worth, Obomanu has had his moments, and liked Taylor in the draft better than most, and I hear Seattle likes his potential too.  Still with the questions surrounding the top three a player or two will be added to the mix.
TE Pollard was a disappointment.  Heller is no more than a solid backup. At one time Joppru was a promising pass catching tight end, but that was many injuries ago.  This is a major need area for Seattle.
OL  The Seahawks will add a starting guard, maybe two.  Spencer will be given another year at center, but needs to show improvement.  Seattle is set at tackle, but will always be on the lookout for a young stud who could replace Jones down the line.
DL The Seahawks' line is very good.  Adding depth at end, and, possibly a big body at tackle is all that is needed.  Mebane had an impressive rookie campaign. 
LB Three top starters and experienced and capable reserves.  A terrific unit.
DB Trufant and Jennings are a nice young cornerback tandem.  Wilson should improve next year.  Babineaux is a valuable reserve.  Grant and Russell helped upgrade the safety position, but if a stud safety, either a thumper or ball-magnet can be secured, the secondary could become special.
ST Competition at punter and a long-snapper could be added this offseason.