NFC West Free Agency: Three-For-All

NFL teams can officially contact free agents as of 4:00 EST today.  This is when the dirty work of roster construction really begins to take shape.  There will be big splashy signings, some almost immediately, as agents and teams have certainly found ways to feel out the best fits for their clients well before today.  The rumors are already rampant that teams like Tampa Bay, Washington and Chicago are poised to acquire some of the most high-profile players.

Some of those could find their way to the NFC West, but successful free agency is often navigated through more unfamiliar waters, with names that aren’t as common.

Here is a look at which direction each team may go, with three possible fits for each: (Cap figures courtesy nfl.com)

St. Louis Rams (2-14 in 2011)  Cap room: $9.8 million — The Rams would be in total rebuild mode now if it weren’t for the fact that they already have a young franchise QB in place.  There is some dynamic talent on defense, the mission now is to protect Sam Bradford and find him some weapons.  Cap room isn’t as plentiful as it is for their division rivals, so the Rams have to be selective in free agency, and they have to be right.

1. Jared Gaither, LT (25 years old, last team San Diego)  Gaither has bounced around and there are some red flags, but he played well enough for the Chargers last year and he’s just entering his prime.  He would allow Roger Saffold to move to the right side where he would be more effective, and would immediately upgrade the Rams biggest need. There’s risk here, but it’s a weak tackle class, and Gaither won’t command franchise-type LT money.
2. Josh Morgan, WR (26, San Francisco) Missed all of 2011 due to injury, but this could be a perfect buy-low scenario.  Expect the Rams to take a WR early in the draft, but they still need receivers.  Morgan’s upside could provide lightning in a bottle.
3. David Hawthorne, LB (26, Seattle)  The Rams need linebackers, and should concentrate on players entering or in their prime.  Hawthorne is a tackling machine who may disagree with the Seahawks on what he’s worth.  His knees are a concern, but if the Rams have a chance to fill a need while taking something out of a division rival’s pocket, they may jump at it.

San Francisco 49ers (13-3) Cap Room: $20.7 Million — The 49ers seems bent on sticking with Alex Smith at QB while letting Colin Kaepernick develop behind him.  Like the Rams, they need weapons for Smith, and Randy Moss is obviously not the long term answer.  The front 7 is among the most talented in football, but there are opportunities to upgrade.

1. Vincent Jackson, WR (29, San Diego)  There are already reports that Tampa, Washington and others are poised to make Jackson a huge offer, but if the 49ers are going to make one big splash this offseason he’s the perfect target.  He’s the complete package the 49ers have lacked, and paired with Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis and Moss, might finally give Smith something to work with. With Marques Colston re-signing with the Saints this morning, however, the contract may be prohibitive.
2. Cortland Finnegan, CB (28, Tennessee) Carlos Rogers played well on a one-year deal last year, but the 49ers would love to add a big, physical corner to match up with Larry Fitzgerald and some of the bigger WR’s in the division.  Finnegan is going to be a hot commodity, but San Francisco has the cap space to take a shot.
3. Justin Forsett, RB (26, Seattle) Another chance for a division foe to grab from a rivals roster.  Forsett is too similar to Leon Washington and thus expendable in Seattle.  The 49ers need someone to compliment Frank Gore.  Forsett is a quality situational back who can be an asset in the passing game.

Arizona Cardinals (8-8) Cap space: unknown — The Cardinals were $13.7 OVER the salary cap as of yesterday, but released Levi Brown and others in a last-minute scramble to get their house in order.  They’re pursuing Peyton Manning, but at this point it doesn’t look like that’s a fit.  Tying up huge cap dollars when their salary structure is already tenuous is probably not the wisest move.  The Cards will most likely be bargain shopping in free agency.  Unfortunately the best LT in a weak free agent class is…… Levi Brown.

1. Jarrett Johnson, LB (30, Baltimore)  The Cardinals have a dynamic young LB core, but could use depth and a veteran presence.  The run-stuffing Johnson would provide that on the cheap.
2. Pierre Garcon, WR (25, Indianapolis) The market for Garcon could be significant, so the Cardinals may not be able to compete, but they simply have to add to their WR core around Fitzgerald and Garcon could fit the bill nicely.
3. Cory Redding, DE (31, Baltimore)  The Cardinals are solid, but shallow, up front.  Their primary backup at season’s end was 36 year old Vonnie Holliday, and he’s done.  Redding is an underrated player, and would provide quality rotational depth at a bargain price.

Seattle Seahawks (7-9) Cap Space: $27.7 million — Despite G.M. John Schneider’s Green Bay background, built on draft-based roster building, Schneider has shown he’s not shy about spending Paul Allen’s money in free agency.  Pete Carroll and Schneider feel their rebuilding plan is ahead of schedule, and they may go after some of the biggest free agent fish provided they fit the profile (younger, system fit). Ideally they could get a QB here, but Manning wasn’t interested, and there really isn’t anyone on the market who would be a significant upgrade over Tavaris Jackson.

1. Jason Jones, DT (25, Tennessee) Many expect the Seahawks to make a play for Mario Williams, and they very well could, but Jones would provide the kind of versatility Pete Carroll loves.  Seattle has made it a priority to beef up the pass rush, and Jones can get after the QB from inside or outside.  He’s in his prime and will command significant dollars.  The need to go after an expensive D-lineman in free agency could be mitigated if Red Bryant re-signs.
2. Kamerion Wimbley, OLB (28, Oakland)  A cap-casualty after two productive seasons in Oakland (16 sacks) Wimbley could provide a huge pass-rush boost from the linebacker position.  He also has Chris Clemons-like size (6-5, 255) and could possibly play the LEO position.
3. Larry Grant, ILB (27, San Francisco) Pete Carroll would like a bigger MLB than David Hawthorne, and Grant could fill that bill, allowing K.J. Wright to stay outside.  Grant has a 7th round tender on him, but would be worth the value.