Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks weren’t big players in the free agent market this offseason. This year they lost a lot more players than they signed. But one free agent they did sign that can make a big difference is veteran defensive tackle Kevin Williams. While Williams isn’t what he once was, he can still be a valuable addition to the Seattle defensive line, especially since he’ll be in a rotational role rather than being an every down tackle.
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals were a bit busier this offseason than the Seahawks. Last season a big problem for them was protecting their quarterback, Carson Palmer. To help fix that, they signed offensive tackle Jared Veldheer. Veldheer saw limited playing time last season due to an injury but for the Cardinals to get their money’s worth out of him he will need to improve a lot. If he makes the necessary improvements, he’ll be a key addition for Arizona.
Another addition who will surely have a big impact is cornerback Antonio Cromartie. Cromartie is big and fast with really good hands. His biggest problem with the New York Jets was that he is a feast or famine type of player. When going for the big play, he relies on help from the safeties to bail him out if it doesn’t work out. In Arizona he’ll have them with Tyrann Mathieu when he comes back from injury and rookie Deone Bucannon.
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams were another team that didn’t make too much noise in free agency. The big move they made was signing wide receiver Kenny Britt. Britt can either be exactly what quarterback Sam Bradford needs to help him succeed or exactly what Bradford doesn’t need. Britt is one of the most naturally gifted wide receivers in the NFL, but he needs to stay clean and out of trouble. If he can do that he’ll be a big help in St. Louis.
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers were one of the more active teams in the NFC West in free agency this season. On the first day they signed strong safety Antoine Bethea to replace Donte Whitner. Bethea is a solid safety with a lot of intelligence. He won’t get beat on the big play very often and is a very solid tackler. His biggest asset to the 49ers, however, is his wealth of knowledge to teach second year safety Eric Reid and rookie safety Jimmie Ward. Both players will benefit greatly from the addition of Bethea.
An addition that was laughed at and ridiculed when the 49ers first signed him was wide receiver Brandon Lloyd. Lloyd hasn’t played football since the end of the 2012 season because he decided to take a year off from football. However, Lloyd has made quite an impression on head coach Jim Harbaugh and starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick in minicamps. Lloyd has emerged as one of the better redzone threats the 49ers have, an area they have struggled in the past few seasons. If Lloyd can maintain this during training camp he’ll most likely earn a roster spot and I believe he’ll help Kaepernick out a lot when they get in the redzone in 2014.
Another addition that no one thought much of is that of cornerback Chris Cook. Cook has been nothing more than underwhelming since being drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2010. Signing with the 49ers will provide him with a better system in which to work and showcase his strengths. He has the ideal size for a cornerback and thrives in press coverage. With the guidance of secondary coach Ed Donatell, Cook will show great improvements in 2014 and make an positive impact on a young 49ers secondary.