Updated Team Needs: NFC West
By Editorial Staff
One of the most important factors when preparing for the NFL Draft is knowing each and every NFL team. NFL Mocks keeps a very close eye on each team and will bring you an updated needs assessment at the end of each month. These needs will help as we prepare to make predictions for the 2011 NFL Draft. Continue to check out our team needs page to find the most recent assessments. Also after looking at the team needs move on over to the Big Board and see what prospects might fit your teams need.
The 49ers finally got their first win in the book and some experts are still predicting that the 49ers could make a run at the playoffs. I think they dug themselves too deep of a hole and will be picking in the top 10. With that being said I am sure I wont get much of an argument from 49er fans when I say their biggest need is at the quarterback position. Alex Smith has not progressed and turns the ball over as if he is a rookie. So why not get a young guy with a higher ceiling to turn the ball over! They could be looking at quarterbacks such as Andrew Luck, Jake Locker, and Ryan Mallett.
Pete Carrol has this team playing with confidence and in a weak division they have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs. I really liked the addition of Marshawn Lynch and without him I would have said that running back would have been a position of need. Now I think they need to get their quarterback of the future but the issue will come if they make the playoffs and are out of reach for some of the quarterbacks. However, Locker and Mallett’s stock have been sliding and just might be their for the Seahawks to snatch up.
There is a similar theme in this division and its a need for a franchise quarterback. Like the Seahawks and 49ers the Cardinals need to stabilize their quarterback position. Max Hall is a good fill in player but I don’t see him developing into anything more than a backup quarterback. I think the Cardinals will struggle the rest of the season and will be picking in the top 10 and have a shot at several of the available quarterbacks.
The Rams are the only team set at the quarterback position and with the way Bradford has played they have to feel real confident about their future. Now its time to surround Bradford with the weapons he needs to succeed. They desperately need a big play receiver and while they have had guys step up this season I don’t see any of those players as a legit #1 or even #2 receiver. I think the Rams will be targeting guys like AJ Green, Julio Jones, Michael Floyd, and Jon Baldwin.