2016 Team Needs: NFC West
By jonfox
Quarterback. If Fisher and Snead could, they’d flush the decks of all their quarterbacks and start again. Since they’re both under a mandate to make the playoffs or lose their jobs(certainly Fisher, probably Snead), they’re probably going to try to make Nick Foles work or draft a quarterback high(they have 2 2nd round picks to use for a trade) or go after another vet.
The right move is to flush Foles and draft a quarterback in the first round without moving up. The odds are that Lynch or Wentz(or both) will be available when they draft in the first round and the price to move up for Goff would be RG3-esque.
Three names to consider: Paxton Lynch(day 1 of the draft), Robert Griffin III(expected cut), Ryan Fitzpatrick(free agency).
Offensive line. Among Fisher’s bigger mistakes in a St Louis career full of them was drafting Greg Robinson, then playing him at guard for reasons known only to him, then moving him back to left tackle. Robinson has only officially given up 10 sacks in his career, but he has been hit with 24 accepted penalties. Which is obscenely high. As a reference, Trent Williams has been hit with 26 accepted penalties since 2012.
The problem is that despite all the money and draft picks that Fisher has invested in his offensive line has netted him Greg Robinson, the oft-injured Roger Saffold and not much else. Fisher will have to decide what Robinson is to him: his left guard or his left tackle and build from there in the mindset that he doesn’t have much on that line.
Three names to consider: Donald Penn(free agency), Cody Whitehair(day 2 of the draft), Nick Martin(day 2 of the draft)
Free Safety. The Rams have collected a decent amount of young talent on their defensive line. And can get quality play from their linebackers for the most part. One thing that’s been a constant problem for them has been their free safety spot.
Part of this problem is scheme: Gregg Williams has always preferred to have two bigger, strong safeties in his backfield but the league has changed too much for him to continue with this preference. He needs to have a coverage guy back deep or teams will have their way his pass defense.
Three names to consider: Eric Weddle(free agency), Darian Thompson(day 2 of the draft), Maurice Canady(day 3 of the draft).
Next: San Francisco 49ers