| 20 April 2009
In the weeks leading up to the draft, LWN will take a look at team needs for each division prior to the draft. Then he will come out with the draft preview the week prior. We will look at each division in order of record from last season.
ARIZONA CARDINALS- 2008 Record 9-7
Key Losses: Monty Beisel, J.J. Arrington, Eric Green, Anquan Boldin?
Key Additions: Bryant McFadden, Jason Wright
Needs: OL, DL, LB
Even if Arizona does trade Anquan Boldin, I wouldn't look for the team to over react and spend a high pick on a WR. The reason for this is because Larry Fitzgerald is going to draw most double teams anyway, and Steve Breaston and Jerheme Urban are both emerging as decent wide outs. They also have Early Douchet who has speed. The Cardinals added Jason Wright to their backfield to replace J.J. Arrington, but a Edgerrin James/ Tim Hightower backfield doesn't exactly reek of greatness to me. Defensively, Arizona did ass McFadden to their secondary which will add some talent. Beyond that they really just need depth.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS- 2008 Record 7-9
Key Losses: Tully Banta Cain, Bryant Johnson, J.T. O'Sullivan, Jonas Jennings
Key Additions: Brandon Jones, Damon Huard, Demetric Evans, Marvel Smith
Needs: QB, WR, OL, LB, DL
Shaun Hill appears to be the starter for the 49ers while multi-millionaire Alex Smith rides the pine. What makes matters worse is that Shaun Hill will be throwing to Issac Bruce and Brandon Jones as his starters. This puts the offensive load squarely upon the shoulders of Frank Gore, and the 49ers have cut Jonas Jennings. If the 49ers are going to play in the 3-4 defense this season, then they will need to add more linebackers......immediately. If the offense can't score much and the defense can't stop anyone, this may be a bad season.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS- 2008 Record 4-12
Key Losses: Rocky Bernard, Leonard Weaver, Maurice Morris, Bobby Engram,Julian Peterson
Key Additions: Colin Cole, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Corey Redding
Needs: LG, RB, WR, LB, DE
The Seahawks definitely saw a drop off in productivity this past season, but rushing to draft a quarterback doesn't seem like the most logical decision because I still think they like Matt Hasselbeck and Seneca Wallace. I think they should address the running back situation since Julius Jones only ran for 698 yards last season. Also, Seattle has a couple WR's but might want to think about a late round addition. On defense the Seahawks need to address the linebacker situation. Putting it mildly, they need more.
ST. LOUIS RAMS- 2008 Record 2-14
Key Losses: Tory Holt, Orlando Pace, Trent Green, Drew Bennett, Cory Chavous, La'Roi Glover?
Key Additions: Kyle Boller, James Butler, Jason Brown
Needs: WR, FB, LB, CB
The Rams were terrible on offense last season. 31st in points, 27th in yards per game, 26th in passing yards, 25th in rushing yards, and yet they enter the season with Keenan Burton as a starting wide receiver. They will certainly have a lower payroll than 2008, but will they improve? St. Louis might have tipped their hand when they cut Orlando Pace this off season, but who knows if they will draft his heir apparent at left tackle. The defensive line looks quite formidable with Leonard Little, Victor Adeyanju, Adam Carriker, and Chris Long. The Rams need to add linebackers and corners.
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