NFC West Free Agency Grades
With most of the big names off the market, free agency is fading as the Draft draws nearer. We’ve already covered each team’s five biggest free agency moves, but now it’s time to grade their efforts. Who filled their needs? Who got the best value and who overpaid? Here are the free agency grades for the NFC West:
The NFC West was once the best division in football, but has diminished in recent seasons. That looks unlikely to change this year, with the Rams and 49ers starting over with new head coaches and the Cardinals experiencing a major talent drain. The Seahawks are also worse off as their Super Bowl window begins to close.
Arizona Cardinals — F
Key additions: S Antoine Bethea, LB Jarvis Jones, K Phil Dawson
Key departures: S Tony Jefferson, DL Calais Campbell, CB Marcus Cooper
Yes, the Cardinals managed to lock up pass rusher Chandler Jones long-term. But look at who they lost; safety Tony Jefferson, defensive lineman Calais Campbell, cornerback Marcus Cooper, linebacker Kevin Minter and safety D.J. Swearinger, all key contributors. Although veteran safety Antoine Bethea was a nice pickup, Arizona is relying on disappointing players like former Steelers linebacker Jarvis Jones and sophomore defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche to make one last Super Bowl run with quarterback Carson Palmer.
Los Angeles Rams — C
Key additions: LT Andrew Whitworth, DE Connor Barwin, WR Robert Woods
Key departures: WR Kenny Britt, DE William Hayes, WR Brian Quick
New head coach Sean McVay, the former Redskins offensive coordinator, must now fix quarterback Jared Goff, running back Todd Gurley, and LA’s stagnant offense. Although signing veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth, who can still play at a Pro Bowl level despite being 35, was a coup, the wide receiver cupboard is bare after the departures of Kenny Britt and Brian Quick. The defense is shifting to a 3–4 under new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips and expectedly saw several former contributors rendered redundant. William Hayes and Eugene Sims are gone, replaced by Connor Barwin and Tyrunn Walker.
San Francisco 49ers — C
Key additions: WR Pierre Garcon, QB Brian Hoyer, C Jeremy Zuttah
Key departures: S Antoine Bethea, QB Colin Kaepernick, WR Torrey Smith
The 49ers cleared house and will start anew under rookie head coach and general manager Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch. Shanahan signed some of his former players in wide receiver Pierre Garcon and quarterback Brian Hoyer, but failed to land a big fish in Kirk Cousins. Trading for veteran center Jeremy Zuttah gives Shanahan the intelligent player he needs to anchor the offensive line in his scheme, and San Francisco’s 2016 leading receiver Jeremy Kerley also returns, unlike Torrey Smith. However, overpaying for linebacker Malcolm Smith and fullback Kyle Juszczyk were odd moves by John Lynch, and may not deliver on bloated contracts.
Seattle Seahawks — D
Key additions: RB Eddie Lacy, OL Luke Joeckel, S Bradley McDougald
Key departures: K Steven Hauschka, DT Tony McDaniel, FB Marcel Reece
Quarterback Russell Wilson sorely needed help on offense this offseason, but the Seahawks struggled to deliver. Eddie Lacy will compete for a starting role in the backfield, while former Jaguars first round pick Luke Joeckel and Texans backup guard Oday Aboushi were the best offensive line upgrades that Seattle could find. Safety Bradley McDougald is a decent pickup for depth in the secondary having been a starter in Tampa Bay. And we could yet see a big move involving star cornerback Richard Sherman…
