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NFC West free agency preview: Tough choices for Seahawks, 49ers
Nate Davis, USA TODAY Sports
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...yron-maxwell-mike-iupati-frank-gore/24170403/
A snapshot of each team's roster and considerations heading into free agency, which officially begins March 10 at 4 p.m. ET:
ARIZONA CARDINALS
Prominent free agents: OLB John Abraham, OLB Sam Acho, S Chris Clemons, CB Antonio Cromartie, DL Darnell Dockett (released), G Paul Fanaika, ILB Larry Foote, WR Ted Ginn (released), TE Rob Housler, DL Tommy Kelly, NT Dan Williams
Issues: Arizona has already addressed its cap challenges by redoing WR Larry Fitzgerald's deal and discarding Dockett's $6.8 million 2015 salary. But GM Steve Keim is facing a major rebuild of his defensive front seven, which is also still missing suspended ILB Daryl Washington.
Our advice: Given the challenges of finding effective space eaters, re-signing underrated Williams should probably be atop the priority list. Entice Dockett to return at a reduced rate, then Keim can worry about his linebackers and depth elsewhere. Perhaps he even makes a run at a mid-tier back like Justin Forsett.
ST. LOUIS RAMS
Prominent free agents: T Joe Barksdale, WR Kenny Britt, QB Shaun Hill, G Davin Joseph, TE Lance Kendricks, DT Kendall Langford (released)
Issues: They're again hoping QB Sam Bradford will be healthy enough to vault them from tough regular-season matchup to tough playoff matchup. Barring that, the Rams need a better plan B QB, must replenish the O-line's depth and could use help at wideout and corner.
Our advice: The quarterback market is thin in free agency and the draft. But Hill and Austin Davis weren't sufficient replacements for Bradford, so making a strong bid for Mark Sanchez or Brian Hoyer this year seems sensible. It shouldn't cost much to re-sign Britt, whose presence could allow for the patient development of another young receiver assuming one is drafted.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Prominent free agents: CB Chris Cook, CB Perrish Cox, WR Michael Crabtree, CB Chris Culliver, QB Blaine Gabbert, RB Frank Gore, G Mike Iupati, QB Josh Johnson, WR Brandon Lloyd, ST/WR Kassim Osgood, ST/LB Dan Skuta
Issues: They're facing a significant exodus of talent while hoping DL Justin Smith returns and ILBs Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman can recapture their star form in the aftermath of major injuries. The Niners will also be in the market for a backup to QB Colin Kaepernick yet again.
Our advice: Iupati is their best free agent, but GM Trent Baalke would probably be wise to allot his limited cap space elsewhere. Keeping the ascending Culliver to address one of the corner spots should probably take precedence. Keeping Gore's heart and soul at the right price makes sense. But it's time to part with Crabtree, who's proven injury-prone but not elite.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Prominent free agents: OL James Carpenter, ST/LB Heath Farwell, QB Tarvaris Jackson, OL Lemuel Jeanpierre, S Jeron Johnson, CB Byron Maxwell, TE Tony Moeaki, DE O'Brien Schofield, DT D'Anthony Smith, LB Malcolm Smith, FB Will Tukuafu, DT Kevin Williams
Issues: GM John Schneider has a nice chunk of cap space, but he'll need it and might even have to create more. It's time to pay QB Russell Wilson while giving RB Marshawn Lynch a raise. MLB Bobby Wagner and LT Russell Okung could both hit free agency in 2016. Even restricted free agent WR Jermaine Kearse needs a bump but could also use more help in his position room.
Our advice: Let's assume Wilson and Lynch get paid. Given that, Schneider knows he probably can't afford Maxwell and should probably be targeting affordable help to replace him and add depth to a banged-up Legion of Boom. Jackson and Williams, if he wants to keep playing, are respected vets who should be kept at the right price. Wagner should get priority over Okung, though both may have to wait quite a while. Seattle may face tough decisions on vets like TE Zach Miller and DT Brandon Mebane to make the budget work.
Nate Davis, USA TODAY Sports
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sport...yron-maxwell-mike-iupati-frank-gore/24170403/
A snapshot of each team's roster and considerations heading into free agency, which officially begins March 10 at 4 p.m. ET:
ARIZONA CARDINALS
Prominent free agents: OLB John Abraham, OLB Sam Acho, S Chris Clemons, CB Antonio Cromartie, DL Darnell Dockett (released), G Paul Fanaika, ILB Larry Foote, WR Ted Ginn (released), TE Rob Housler, DL Tommy Kelly, NT Dan Williams
Issues: Arizona has already addressed its cap challenges by redoing WR Larry Fitzgerald's deal and discarding Dockett's $6.8 million 2015 salary. But GM Steve Keim is facing a major rebuild of his defensive front seven, which is also still missing suspended ILB Daryl Washington.
Our advice: Given the challenges of finding effective space eaters, re-signing underrated Williams should probably be atop the priority list. Entice Dockett to return at a reduced rate, then Keim can worry about his linebackers and depth elsewhere. Perhaps he even makes a run at a mid-tier back like Justin Forsett.
ST. LOUIS RAMS
Prominent free agents: T Joe Barksdale, WR Kenny Britt, QB Shaun Hill, G Davin Joseph, TE Lance Kendricks, DT Kendall Langford (released)
Issues: They're again hoping QB Sam Bradford will be healthy enough to vault them from tough regular-season matchup to tough playoff matchup. Barring that, the Rams need a better plan B QB, must replenish the O-line's depth and could use help at wideout and corner.
Our advice: The quarterback market is thin in free agency and the draft. But Hill and Austin Davis weren't sufficient replacements for Bradford, so making a strong bid for Mark Sanchez or Brian Hoyer this year seems sensible. It shouldn't cost much to re-sign Britt, whose presence could allow for the patient development of another young receiver assuming one is drafted.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Prominent free agents: CB Chris Cook, CB Perrish Cox, WR Michael Crabtree, CB Chris Culliver, QB Blaine Gabbert, RB Frank Gore, G Mike Iupati, QB Josh Johnson, WR Brandon Lloyd, ST/WR Kassim Osgood, ST/LB Dan Skuta
Issues: They're facing a significant exodus of talent while hoping DL Justin Smith returns and ILBs Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman can recapture their star form in the aftermath of major injuries. The Niners will also be in the market for a backup to QB Colin Kaepernick yet again.
Our advice: Iupati is their best free agent, but GM Trent Baalke would probably be wise to allot his limited cap space elsewhere. Keeping the ascending Culliver to address one of the corner spots should probably take precedence. Keeping Gore's heart and soul at the right price makes sense. But it's time to part with Crabtree, who's proven injury-prone but not elite.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Prominent free agents: OL James Carpenter, ST/LB Heath Farwell, QB Tarvaris Jackson, OL Lemuel Jeanpierre, S Jeron Johnson, CB Byron Maxwell, TE Tony Moeaki, DE O'Brien Schofield, DT D'Anthony Smith, LB Malcolm Smith, FB Will Tukuafu, DT Kevin Williams
Issues: GM John Schneider has a nice chunk of cap space, but he'll need it and might even have to create more. It's time to pay QB Russell Wilson while giving RB Marshawn Lynch a raise. MLB Bobby Wagner and LT Russell Okung could both hit free agency in 2016. Even restricted free agent WR Jermaine Kearse needs a bump but could also use more help in his position room.
Our advice: Let's assume Wilson and Lynch get paid. Given that, Schneider knows he probably can't afford Maxwell and should probably be targeting affordable help to replace him and add depth to a banged-up Legion of Boom. Jackson and Williams, if he wants to keep playing, are respected vets who should be kept at the right price. Wagner should get priority over Okung, though both may have to wait quite a while. Seattle may face tough decisions on vets like TE Zach Miller and DT Brandon Mebane to make the budget work.
