Top Draft Needs For Every NFL Team Part 1: NFC West

Draft season is here! This means it’s time to take a closer look at each NFL team, division by division, and what their draft needs are ahead of the 2024 season. To kick things off, let’s begin with the NFC West.

2024 NFL Draft Needs for Each NFC West Team

Arizona Cardinals

Notable Picks: 4, 27, 35

Draft Needs: WR, CB, DL

In the wake of Marquise Brown’s departure for Kansas City, Kyler Murray’s main targets to throw to comes down to Michael Wilson and Trey McBride. That receiver core could definitely use a boost, which is why they need to take Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth pick. Writing of Harrison, Trevor Sikkema of PFF said, “He will be a WR1-caliber player the day he is drafted, and one in the mold of a Tier 1 NFL wideout.” One could argue that Arizona should use this pick to upgrade their defense, but when a generational talent of a receiver in Harrison is available, you have to grab him.

With the 27th pick, the Cardinals should look to take the best available corner, giving their lackluster secondary some life. Corners that may be available at this stage in the draft include T.J. Tampa, Kool-Aid McKinstry, and Mike Sainristil.

Containing the running back talent of their NFC West rivals will be another top priority for the Cardinals, and finding run-stopping linemen will be no issue in this draft. Arizona should use a few of their picks, including No. 35 to add size and depth to their defensive line. Ideal targets for this pick would be Keith Randolph Jr. or Ruke Orhorhoro.

Los Angeles Rams

Notable Picks: 19, 52, 83

Draft Needs: Edge, CB

The Rams go into this draft with an Aaron Donald-sized gap in their defensive line, and their top priority will be to find an edge rusher that will make the absence of the future Hall-of-Famer feel less drastic. Should they use their No. 19 pick for this need, the best available players may be Laitu Latu, Chris Braswell, or Chop Robinson.

Given the top-heaviness of the cornerback talent in this draft, the Rams should also be strategic and take a CB with the 52nd pick. The best guys available at this point will likely be Cam Hart, Andru Phillips, and Jarvis Brownlee Jr. Rumors have also been swirling around South Carolina quarterback, Spencer Rattler, as a potential round-three pick, and it may be to the Rams’ benefit to think about taking him at No. 83 as another backup to Matthew Stafford.

San Francisco 49ers

Notable Picks: 31, 63, 94

Draft Needs: OT, G

As the Super Bowl runner-up, the 49ers may seem like a team with a short wishlist for this upcoming draft. However, if they want to get over the hump they’ve been stuck on for the past few seasons, it would do them well to make smart decisions with the picks they have.

The Niners depend a lot on their run game, so the interior of their offensive line could use all the reinforcement possible to open up the rushing lanes. If available, San Francisco should take Cooper Beebe at No. 31 and tackle Patrick Paul at No. 63. Luckily for them, the second, third, and fourth rounds of the draft are usually filled with good offensive linemen if their main targets are no longer on the board. In any case, it wouldn’t hurt for the Niners to begin developing a new wave of offensive linemen as left tackle, Trent Williams, approaches the final years of his career.

Seattle Seahawks

Notable Picks: 16, 81, 102

Draft Needs: G, OT

The Seahawks aren’t quite ready to take the keys away from Geno Smith, and they seem to be putting priority on strengthening the offense around him by signing center, Nick Harris and re-signing tight end, George Fant. While they’re at it, they should take Troy Fautanu with the 16th pick to bolster that interior and give more protection to Smith.

Although the Seahawks did most of their offseason roster work in free agency, they can and should still add depth with their remaining picks. With their next two selections being in the third and fourth rounds, Seattle should have a large selection of offensive line players to choose from who can contribute to this offense while getting the necessary development and experience with this team.

Next Division: AFC West

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