2009 NFC West Draft Review

Arizona Cardinals


The defending NFC champions should not lose focus on the job
at hand with Ken Whisenhunt’s and Kurt Warner’s previous
Super Bowl experience. Whisenhunt has added stability to the
coaching staff and Warner’s leadership in the locker-room can’t
be underestimated. The Cardinals addressed needs at running
back, outside linebacker, offensive line, and defensive end. Free
agency also filled a hole at corner with the signing of Bryant
McFadden. Chris Wells was a steal at the 31st pick in the draft
and will help upgrade one of the league’s worst running attacks.
He should shine in a one-back set with receivers spreading the
defense out. He is a power runner that is not easy to tackle in
space. Cody Brown will add youth to a veteran but aging group
of outside linebackers. He has the athletic ability to upgrade the
position, but has questionable instincts. He has good first step
quickness and a burst to the quarterback once he gets by the
blocker. Rashad Johnson is an instinctive safety with good ball
skills. He will try to unseat Matt Ware as a backup to Antrel Rolle
and be a force on special teams. Greg Toler is an athletic corner
that played semi pro football and eventually landed at St. Paul’s
College in Southern Virginia. A raw developmental talent, he has
speed, skills, and quickness. Herman Johnson is a huge mauler
with long arms and catcher’s mitt hands. He’s projected to back
up Reggie Wells at left guard but will also get a look at right
tackle. Athletic for his size, he has the ability to quick position a
defender and bury them in the run game. Will Davis will compete
for a backup spot at linebacker. He has a quick first step and a
burst to get up the field. To make the team he will need to improve
his hand strength and the ability to disengage. LaRod Stephens-
Howling is an explosive Darren Sproles’ type runner that rotated
with LeSean McCoy. He fits the third down role that JJ Arrington
shined in last fall and was drafted to be a change of pace back.
Trevor Canfield was a seventh round bargain and should develop
into a solid pro. He is competitive and physical in his play and could
play four positions as a backup. He is a good football player that is
not always pretty but gets the job done. GRADE: ABOVE AVERAGE.

FREE AGENCY: Kurt Warner’s new contract and the franchise
tag placed on Karlos Dansby insures continuity on both sides of
the ball and another playoff run. Corner Bryant McFadden was
signed to upgrade size, coverage ability, and tackling opposite
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. McFadden fills a void that makes
the Cardinals’ secondary a team strength. Dan Kreider is a veteran
blocker that started his career with the Steelers and is penciled in
to start at fullback. Anthony Becht will compete at tight end with
Leonard Pope and Ben Patrick. Oliver Ross was also brought
back to add depth in the offensive line. Defensive end Antonio
Smith will be a major loss.


St. Louis Rams


The St. Louis Rams added to their offensive line player pool in
free agency by signing center Jason Brown and drafting athletic
tackle Jason Smith. There is talent available, but it has not been
a cohesive unit to this point. Moving Jacob Bell back to guard
from right tackle should help. James Laurinaitis upgrades the
middle area of the run defense. He will have a lot to learn in Steve
Spagnuolo’s defense but he is a good fit. Pat Shurmer is installing
a run-oriented West Coast offense, featuring Steven Jackson
and that should take some pressure off the defense by controlling
the ball more. Jason Smith will start out at right tackle, however
the whole offensive line is a work in progress and may not be
solidified until September 13th on a trip to Seattle to open the
season. The physical long-armed athlete is an ascending player
that has all the tools to be a standout pass protector and run
blocker. Something that was just as important to the Rams as his
physical ability is his mental approach to being a pro; off-season
work habits, film study, coachability, and his desire to improve
his total game. James Laurinaitis is the starting middle
linebacker until he proves he can’t do the job. The instinctive
three down linebacker is technique conscious and smart. He
demonstrates all good middle linebacker traits: physical and
mental toughness, productivity, leadership, and is quick to read
and react. Bradley Fletcher is the sleeper of the Rams’ draft. A
big corner that is a good athlete, he can turn and run. He is
smooth in his transition and plays fast with a sudden drive on
the ball. He can match up with big receivers. An ascending player,
he may play best in man-to-man coverage. Defensive tackle Dorell
Scott has the size and the strength to win a spot in the front
rotation with Clifton Ryan and Adam Carriker. Scott is a good
athlete with a thick upper and lower body. He is a good effort
player that will finish long and short pursuit. He has the ability to
two gap. Brooks Foster is a raw athlete with an injury history
and limited starting experience. He is a hand catcher that has the
triangle height, weight, and speed numbers for the position. A
developmental receiver, he has a chance to make the club if he
stays healthy. Keith Null is a developmental quarterback that
was very productive at the Division II level. He played in a spread
offense and is a good size (6031, 222). Chris Ogbonnaya is a big
back (5116, 220) that was a part-time starter. He runs in the 4.60
forty range. The best thing he does is catch the football. Originally
he came to Texas as a receiver. He was a backup to Jamaal Charles
in 2007. GRADE: ABOVE AVERAGE.

FREE AGENCY: The Rams stabilized their offensive line with the
signing of center Jason Brown. Brown was given a five-year deal
with twenty-million dollars in guaranteed money. Kyle Boller also
came over from the Ravens and will back up Marc Bulger who
struggled the past two years with poor offensive line play and
injuries. Strong safety James Butler started the past two years
with the Giants and knows Spagnuolo’s system. Mike Karney
was signed as a lead blocker for Steven Jackson after Dan
Kreider’s departure.


San Francisco 49ers


San Francisco stuck to their board selecting the highest rated player.
When receiver Michael Crabtree dropped to them at the tenth pick, the
card was ready to hand to the commissioner. Crabtree is a feature
receiver that will help the quarterback and keep Isaac Bruce from being
doubled. He will keep the opposing defense honest enough and take a
safety out of the box to help Frank Gore and the running game. The
49ers didn’t draft a needed pass rusher. Sacks will have to come from a
variety of blitzes and dogs. Jimmy Raye is the seventh offensive
coordinator in seven years and is more run and play pass oriented.
Michael Robinson will back up Gore, but third round pick Glen Coffee
will be in the mix. Mike Singletary has brought some physical and
mental toughness to a team that has had seven straight losing seasons.
Michael Crabtree has the talent to be the best wide receiver on the
team once he steps on the practice field. He doesn’t have the pelts on
the wall like veteran savvy Isaac Bruce does, but Crabtree’s talent level
is ascending. The red-shirt sophomore has outstanding hands and a
strong upper body. He gets open with his quickness and instincts. His
left foot fracture is still healing however. Glen Coffee was a major
reach in the third round. Not natural or instinctive, he is a leggy runner
that has problems with sharp cuts and change of direction. He lacks
long finish speed and has had ball security problems in the past. He’s a
north-south runner that is always going forward. He’s a third down
back. Scott McKillop has one critical factor that all middle linebackers
need – instincts. He has a nose for the ball and quick reactions. Tough
and physical attacking blockers, he has the ability to back up both
inside linebacker spots and compete on special teams. Nate Davis is a
developmental quarterback that has a strong arm. He played in a spread
offense where most of his receivers are running wide open. He flashes
a quick release once he makes his decision where to throw the ball.
Clearly a developmental project, he may be a practice squad player for
a time before he gets an opportunity to step on the field. He must
overcome a learning disability to absorb a complex NFL playbook.
Bear Pascoe is an inline blocking tight end with good hands. He will
make the team as the second or third blocker in sub packages. Physical
in his play, he works to finish his blocks. He is also a good downfield
blocker. Curtis Taylor is a free safety with good athletic ability. His
ticket to making the ball club is to clean up the inconsistencies in his
overall play and be able to contribute on special teams. Ricky Jean-
Francois started ten games in three years despite his explosiveness and
talent. Short on maturity, he gets lazy and plays high. A high maintenance
player, he has the ability to contribute; but as always – buyer beware.
Singletary may have to give him the Vernon Davis speech if he doesn’t
play up to his capabilities. GRADE: AVERAGE.

FREE AGENCY: Right tackle Marvel Smith has talent but has had back
problems for the past two years. He will compete with Adam Snyder
and Barry Sims. Fullback Moran Norris returns to the 49ers after a
stint in Detroit. Corner Dre’Bly, defensive end Demetric Evans,
linebacker Marques Harris, quarterback Damon Huard, and receiver
Brandon Jones are all reserves.


Seattle Seahawks


New Seahawks’ coach, Jim Mora, was weaned on a strong running
attack, complemented by the play action passing game and a
defense that is attacking with well disguised blitzes. Matt
Hasselbeck hopes to get back to his outstanding 2007 production
after working his way through a back injury last year. He will be
throwing to big ticket free agent T.J. Houshmandzadeh and a
healthy Nate Burleson and Deion Branch. Aaron Curry is a fast
twitched sideline to sideline linebacker that was taken in the first
round. Curry was recognized as the top defensive player in the
draft and his stock will soar if he can blitz as well as projected. He
essentially replaces aging former Pro Bowler Julian Peterson who
was traded to Detroit. The athletic linebacker joins Lofa Tatupu
and Leroy Hill to give the Seahawks a young group of impressive
tackling machines. Curry will fit in as a stack and shed linebacker
that is instinctive and aggressive. Max Unger may have been the
top utility offensive lineman in the draft. He will get every chance
to unseat Chris Spencer who has not developed as quickly at
center as projected. Right guard may also be an option if Rob
Sims doesn’t stay healthy. Unger is a strong drive blocker that
plays the game on his feet. Deon Butler is a small but speedy
receiver that catches the ball in his hands. He is elusive after
catch and can stop and start on a dime. He brings another
dimension to the Seattle receiving corps where most receivers
are tall. He does need route refinement however. Mike Teel is a
developmental quarterback that was productive in college. He
will compete with Jeff Rowe for the third position. Courtney
Greene is a free safety that is a rangy hitter. He’s a physical
tackler that is aggressive and competitive on special teams. He is
better as a box run player than playing off in coverage. Nick
Reed will line up at left end after a productive college career
where he recorded 29 ½ sacks and 51 ½ tackles for loss. A pass
rushing specialist, he lacks the bulk (6013, 245) to consistently
play the run as an end in a four man front. Cameron Morrah is a
good athlete that is an H-back type receiver that can adjust on
the move and in space. He has the ability to kick out an end
rusher in the power run game when in motion and on the move.
He lacks the bulk to be an inline blocker. Morrah is a hand catcher
that was particularly productive on the goal line. GRADE:
AVERAGE.

FREE AGENCY: Wide receiver TJ Houshmandzadeh was given a
five-year contract with fifteen-million in guaranteed money. The
2007 Pro Bowl selection strengthens a battered receiving corps
that was decimated by injuries in 2008. Colin Cole comes over
from Green Bay to fill Rocky Bernard’s spot at defensive tackle.
Cory Redding is versatile enough to rotate at defensive end and
defensive tackle. Major losses are Bernard, linebacker Julian
Peterson, and fullback Leonard Weaver.