Arizona Cardinals
Round 1: Cyrus Kouandjio, Offensive Tackle, Alabama
Doesn’t really matter if you think he is a career left tackle or a career right tackle, Cardinals need desperate help at both spots. The Cardinals will play him at left tackle and, should he struggle, the right side is always there need talent.
Round 2: Craig Loston, Safety, LSU
Cardinals safety Yeremiah Bell has probably seen his last snap. Set to be 36 before next season, it is likely he’ll retire. Adding Loston helps the secondary get younger to help them keep up with the rest of the division’s secondary’s.
Round 3: C.J. Fiedorowicz, Tight-End, Iowa
The Cardinals have had some bad play at the tight-end position over the last few years, and with several players on the roster at tight-end unrestricted free agents, drafting a long-term starter is important.
Round 4: Spencer Long, Guard, Nebraska
To compete in the NFC West having an offensive line that keep your quarterback upright is important, so the Cardinals address the offensive line here again.
Round 5: Prince Shembo, Outside Linebacker, Notre Dame
Round 6: Mister Cobble, Defensive Tackle, Kentucky
Round 7: Macky MacPherson, Center, Syracuse
St. Louis Rams
Round 1 (First Pick): Jake Mathews, Offensive Tackle, Texas A&M
No matter who is playing quarterback for the Rams in the future, they need protection to they aren’t eaten alive. In a tough NFC West you’ve got to keep your quarterback healthy.
Round 1 (Second Pick): Ha’Sean Clinton-Dix, Safety, Alabama
Getting a playmaker at the back of their defense is a big priority. With Robert Quinn up front forcing quarterbacks to get rid of the ball quickly, someone on the back end is needed to take advantage of mistakes and that will be Clinton-Dix.
Round 2: Zach Martin, Guard, Notre Dame
Upgrading the offensive fronts is becoming a theme and it won’t stop here. Chris Williams may be one of the worst starting guards in the league and is set to be a free agent. Replacing and upgrading over him will be big for the Rams.
Round 3: Antone Exum, Cornerback, Virginia Tech
The Rams defense wasn’t very great this year and with Cortland Finnegan likely to be cut in the off season adding some corner help is ideal. Exum is a bigger corner and will be able to match up with tight-ends and bigger receivers in the division.
Round 4: Lamin Barrow, Linebacker, LSU
With JoLonn Dunbar and Will Witherspoon leaving adding another linebacker will be important.
Round 5: Ryan Grant, Wide Receiver, Tulane
Round 6: Bruce Gaston, Defensive Tackle, Purdue
Round 7: Alfred Blue, Running Back, LSU
San Francisco 49ers
Round 1: Jason Verrett, Cornerback, TCU
Somehow Verrett makes it to the 49ers and they run to the podium. Rogers is likely going to be cut in the offseason and Brown could very well leave. Chris Culliver will come back from his injury and play outside with Brock while Verrett covers the slot.
Round 2 (First): Allen Robinson, Wide Receiver, Penn State
Not as big of a need as most would think, but another outside receiver would be great for the 49ers. Robinson will replace Anquan Boldin if he decides to leave or retire.
Round 2 (Second): Travis Swanson, Center, Arkansas
The 49ers need to replace Jonathan Goodwin, get younger, and cheaper, at center. Swanson will be an upgrade over Goodwin which is the weakest link on the 49ers line. Offensive line is a major factor of the 49ers success so a replacement for the weak link is needed.
Round 3 (First): Dion Bailey, Safety, USC
Bailey comes in to replace Donte Whitner who’s contract is up after the year. Whitner could likely ask for more money than the 49ers can afford and he would leave to try and cash in one more time as he’ll be 29 before next season starts.
Round 3 (Second): James Wilder Jr., Running Back, Florida State
Replacing the great Frank Gore will be hard and who knows if Marcus Lattimore can actually stay healthy? Wilder Jr. can come in and help the 49ers create a backfield committee that’d be feared around the league.
Round 4: Ben Gardner, Defensive End, Stanford
Round 5: Tevin Reese, Wide Receiver, Baylor
Round 6: Colt Lyerla, Tight End, Oregon
Round 7: Kenarious Gates, Offensive Tackle, Georgia
Seattle Seahawks
Round 1: DaQuan Jones, Defensive Tackle, Penn State
Two of the Seahawks defensive tackles are set for free agency so adding a powerful guy like Jones to replace them would be great for the Seahawks. While the other NFC West teams go offensive line early, the Seahawks go defensive line.
Round 2: Brandin Cooks, Wide Receiver, Oregon State
The Seahawks don’t have any cap space heading into free agency, so they’re unlikely to resign Golden Tate. Couple that with the probability that Sidney Rice is likely to be cut and wide receiver becomes a bigger need. Cooks will do everything the Seahawks need and more.
Round 4: Arthur Lynch, Tight End, Georgia
Zach Miller has the highest cap number in the NFL at tight end, let that sink in real quick. Now you’ll probably figure he’ll be cut in the offseason and with good reason. Adding a big and talented tight end like Lynch will help the Seahawks run the ball and open up the middle a bit.
Round 5: Damian Swann, Cornerback, Georgia
Swann played his best when he had better safeties behind him, perfect landing spot for Swann.
Round 6: Chris Watt, Guard, Notre Dame
Round 7: Jeremiah Sirles, Nebraska