The Seahawks’ division rivals are not short on draft picks.
The NFC West has been as tough a division as it gets for over a decade. Last season the San Francisco 49ers locked up the No. 1 seed in the NFC, the Los Angeles Rams rallied from a 3-6 start to make the playoffs at 10-7, the Seattle Seahawks finished 9-8 but just missed out on a postseason spot, and even the Cardinals were more competitive than their 4-13 record indicated. In all likelihood, it’ll be another dog fight to emerge from this division with a winning record and a playoff berth.
On the eve of the NFL Draft, here’s a rundown of the Seahawks’ NFC West rivals and their respective draft situations.
San Francisco 49ers
Picks: 10
Round 1, No. 31
Round 2, No. 63
Round 3, No. 94
Round 3, No. 98
Round 4, No. 125
Round 4, No. 132
Round 5, No. 176
Round 6, No. 214
Round 6, No. 215
Round 7, No. 230
Round 7, No. 249
Top draft needs: OL, WR, CB
Trent Williams will be 36 and eventually he won’t be playing at an elite level anymore. The 49ers offensive line was surprisingly not that good last year, but Kyle Shanahan is a mad scientist who’s been able to mitigate that. They’re very much in the hunt for tackles and guards.
The cornerback position outside of Charvarius Ward and Deommodore Lenoir is probably the weakest spot on the 49ers defense. I don’t rule out San Francisco looking at interior defensive line but it’s not as big a need as getting another starting caliber CB.
Wide receiver? Well let’s just head straight for the next topic.
Top storyline to watch: Brandon Aiyuk on the block?
Approaching the end of his rookie contract, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has not received that big money extension. The rumors are swirling that the 49ers could trade Aiyuk on draft day and land a high pick in return. Aiyuk is coming off consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and has been San Francisco’s leader in receptions and yards over Deebo Samuel.
It’s distinctly possible we see Aiyuk dealt and the 49ers drafting a receiver early. They also lost the Super Bowl again but that’s neither here nor there.
Los Angeles Rams
Picks: 11
Round 1, No. 19
Round 2, No. 52
Round 3, No. 83
Round 3, No. 98
Round 5, No. 153
Round 5, No. 154
Round 6, No. 191
Round 6, No. 209
Round 6, No. 213
Round 6, No. 217
Round 7, No. 254
Top draft needs: DT, OT, EDGE, WR
You might have heard and celebrated the news of Aaron Donald’s retirement. That suddenly opens up a gigantic void in the heart of the Rams defense. Perhaps it’s a void that will be filled by Byron Murphy II. Kobie Turner was a revelation for LA on the interior but how will he perform without Donald?
The Rams have solidified the interior of their offensive line, but Alaric Jackson and Joe Noteboom are not great offensive tackles and they’re impending free agents. With Donald retiring, there’s perhaps a greater need for an edge rusher alongside Byron Young, who had a good rookie season.
Puka Nacua has turned into a tremendous story but the Rams’ receiving corps is perhaps in need of more changes. Cooper Kupp has had consecutive injury-hampered seasons and will be 31 by the start of the new season. Demarcus Robinson and Tutu Atwell are free agents after 2024.
Top storyline: A sneaky option for quarterback?
Matthew Stafford is still slingin’ the ball at a high level. He’s also 36 years old with multiple injuries to his back and spine. The Rams drafted Stetson Bennett IV last year and he spent his rookie season on the non-football illness/reserve list.
Whether with their first- or second-round pick, the Rams may be possible suitors for Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr. I can see them taking interest in Spencer Rattler if he’s still available in the middle portion of the third round.
I dread to think how some Seahawks fans would react if MPJ was available, the Seahawks didn’t draft him, but the Rams did.
Arizona Cardinals
Picks: 11
Round 1, No. 4
Round 1, No. 27
Round 2, No. 35
Round 3, No. 66
Round 3, No. 71
Round 3, No. 90
Round 4, No. 104
Round 5, No. 138
Round 5, No. 162
Round 6, No. 186
Round 7, No. 226
Top draft needs: WR, EDGE, CB
Arizona moved on from Marquise Brown and traded Rondale Moore for Desmond Ridder in the rare player-for-player trade with no picks involved. Greg Dortch could see an increased role in the offense, as could Michael Wilson after a decent rookie season, but this position is generally a who’s who of “I’m not open.”
The Cardinals only had 33 sacks and one of the worst pressure rates in the NFL. Even though Arizona has L.J. Collier coming back from injury, it’s likely that the Cards will push for more pass rushing help.
Lastly, Arizona addressed cornerback to some degree in free agency by signing veteran Sean Murphy-Bunting, but it’s still a very thin position in terms of established or even rising talent.
Top storyline: Will Arizona stay at No. 4?
Arizona is going to add a receiver with its first pick. Even with the chatter that LSU’s Malik Nabers is actually the real WR1 in this class over Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr, it seems inevitable that the Cards will go with Harrison. What will be interesting to see is if the Cardinals stay at the No. 4 spot or trade down and get some extra picks. Are there any QB-needy teams angling to rise up as high as 4th to take, say, Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye? Or even bold enough to take J.J. McCarthy in the top-5?
Unless the New England Patriots are serious about moving down from No. 3, which I don’t think they are, the Cardinals may hold the key to the start of draft night craziness.
Yeah, it’s not lost on me that the Seahawks have 7 picks while the other NFC West teams are all in double digits. Thankfully, Seattle is back in the comp pick business next draft.
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