Unless you’ve lived under a rock lately, NFC West teams have made a flurry of moves. There are so many arrivals and departures that each team will look significantly different for the upcoming season. Interesting of all, it’s only week one of NFL free agency:
Arizona Cardinals
Departures: RB Adrian Peterson (Released), WR John Brown (Signed by Baltimore Ravens), OLB Kareem Martin (Signed by New York Giants), DT Josh Mauro (Released), Tyrann Mathieu (Signed by Houston Texans), WR Jaron Brown (Seattle Seahawks) and QB Matt Barkley (Signed by Cincinnati Bengals).
Key Arrivals
QB Sam Bradford: signed a 1-year, $20 million contract
The common phrase for the Cardinals in recent years is “they’re just a quarterback away.” They may have just received their quarterback in Bradford, if he stays healthy. Still, the thought of connecting with WR Larry Fitzgerald is unnerving for the rest of the division.
QB Mike Glennon: signed a 2-year, $8 million contract
Yes, the Cardinals are aware of Bradford’s injury history and they have made prepared themselves by signing Glennon. He’s a solid backup plan just in case Bradford needs to miss a significant amount of time. Of course, the Cardinals are hoping Braford will stay healthy.
OL Andre Smith: signed a 2-year, $8 million contract
The Cardinals are no strangers to injured quarterbacks, and the main reason is their awful offensive line. Adding a versatile veteran like Smith will help tremendously. Protection is the name of the game to keep both Bradford and David Johnson on the field.
OG Justin Pugh: signed a 5-year, $45 million contract
After restructuring OG Mike Iupati’s large contract, the Cardinals signed Pugh. He’s a good investment to keep the offensive rhythm intact. All of these investments will make the Cardinals a huge offensive threat.
Other Arrivals: OL John Wetzel (Re-signed 1-year, $630,000), S C.J. Goodwin (Signed 1-year, $630,000), RB Elijhaa Penny (Signed 1-year, $550,000), DT Olsen Pierre (Signed 1-year, $630,000), OLB Josh Bynes (Re-signed 3-year deal), OLB Jeremy Cash (Claimed off waivers) and OT Vinston Painter (Re-signed).
Los Angeles Rams
Departures: DE/OLB Robert Quinn (Traded to Miami Dolphins), ILB Alec Ogletree (Traded to New York Giants), CB Trumaine Johnson (Signed by New York Jets), WR Sammy Watkins (Signed by Kansas City Chiefs), TE Derek Carrier (Signed by Oakland Raiders), FS Cody Davis (Signed by Jacksonville Jaguars) and OLB Cameron Lynch (Signed by Tampa Bay Buccaneers).
Key Arrivals
CB Marcus Peters: traded from Kansas City Chiefs for 2019 second round pick and 2018 fourth round pick (124th overall)
The key focus of the offseason was cornerback, and re-signing Trumaine Johnson didn’t seem likely. Peters is a legitimate starter and costs significantly less toward the salary cap than Johnson would have. Peters, along with other additions, will make an intimidating secondary.
FS Lamarcus Joyner: franchise tagged 1-year, $11.287 million contract
The Rams opted to tag Joyner instead of Watkins to keep the starting safeties together. Joyner stepped up in 2017 and was a key part of the secondary. He will likely improve even more in this beefed up secondary.
CB Aqib Talib: traded for 2018 fifth round pick (160th overall)
It’s amazing that the Rams were able to secure two Pro Bowl cornerbacks in Peters and Talib. Even more incredible is that both of their contracts combined is less than what the Jets paid for Johnson. This is going to be an exciting secondary.
CB Nickell Robey-Coleman: re-signed 3-year, $15.75 million contract
Put simply, Robey-Coleman was too good to let go. He stunned many with how well he excelled in the Rams’ defensive scheme. The Rams not only have their starters, but now they have their depth as well.
C John Sullivan: re-signed 2-year, $15 million contract
Sullivan has been the Rams’ best center in decades. Even at his veteran age, Sullivan is a much better option than most of the available free agents. The Rams may want to consider a younger, future replacement in the NFL Draft though.
Other Arrivals: OT Michael Dunn (Signed to a future contract), CB Sam Shields (Signed a 1-year, $1 million), RB Malcolm Brown (Tendered 1-year, $450,000), CB Troy Hill (Tendered, 1-year, $570,000), DE Matt Longacre (Re-signed 1-year $1.907 million) and K Sam Ficken (Re-signed).
San Francisco 49ers
Departures: C Daniel Kilgore (Traded to Miami Dolphins), OLB Elvis Dumervil (Released), RB Carlos Hyde (Cleveland Browns), OG Brandon Fusco (Signed by Atlanta Falcons), DE Aaron Lynch (Signed by Chicago Bears) and DE Cornellius Carradine (Signed by Oakland Raiders).
Key Arrivals
CB Richard Sherman: signed a 3-year, $27.15 million contract
It’s always great to sign an impact player like Sherman. It’s even sweeter when he comes from a divisional rival like the Seattle Seahawks. The 49ers defense was a bit underrated last season, adding Sherman will make them that much tougher.
C Weston Richburg: signed a 5-year, $47.5 million contract
The 49ers traded Daniel Kilgore and upgraded at the center position. Richburg’s skills are undeniable, but he’s also younger than Kilgore. Richburg will solidify the position for years to come.
RB Jerick McKinnon: signed a 4-year, $30 million contract
The 49ers needed to find a replacement for Hyde and McKinnon might be a good option. McKinnon stepped up for the injured Dalvin Cook and started off well. He tapered off toward the end of the season, but his dual-threat capability is intriguing.
Other Arrivals: OT Garry Gilliam (Re-signed 2-year, $7.75 million), RB Raheem Mostert (Signed 1-year, $705,000), P Jeff Locke (Signed 1-year deal), ILB Brock Coyle (Signed 3-year, $8.5 million) and OLB Jeremiah Attaochu (Signed 1-year, $3 million).
Seattle Seahawks
Departures: DE Michael Bennett (Traded to Philadelphia Eagles), CB Jeremy Lane (Released), CB Richard Sherman (Released and signed by San Francisco 49ers), TE Jimmy Graham (Signed by Green Bay Packers), WR Paul Richardson (Signed by Washington Redskins), FS Deshawn Shead (Signed by Detroit Lions), DT Sheldon Richardson (Signed by Minnesota Vikings) and OG Matt Tobin (Signed by New England Patriots).
Key Arrivals
CB Justin Coleman: Re-signed to a 1-year, $2.914 million contract
The Seahawks are desperately trying to keep their roster together. Coleman was reunited with the team last year after trading with the New England Patriots. Coleman wasn’t the most talented CB on the roster, but was productive enough to retain his services.
OLB Barkevious Mingo: signed a 2-year, $6.8 million contract
Mingo will join Dion Jordan as one of the new pass rusher additions. Mingo has more of an upside than Jordan, but didn’t really impress in Indianapolis last season. Still, Mingo can be a decent contributor in the Seahawks’ defense.
TE Ed Dickson: signed a 3-year, $14 million contract
The Graham experiment failed miserably, so Dickson might be a safer option. Dickson had a decent season in Carolina after Greg Olsen went out with an injury. A reliable weapon for Russell is welcomed in Seattle.
Other Arrivals: WR Marcus Johnson (Trade with Philadelphia Eagles), DE Dion Jordan (Signed 1-year, $1.907 million) RB J.D. McKissic (Re-signed), DE Quinton Jefferson (Re-signed), DE Branden Jackson (Re-signed), WR Jaron Brown (Signed), SS Akeem King (Re-signed) and SS Maurice Alexander (Signed).
Source: Spotrac.com
You can follow Johnny Gomez on Twitter @Johnny5not6. Be sure to follow Rams Talk on Twitter @TalkRams.
