The Seahawks had a great draft, netting perhaps its best player in LB Aaron Curry, a versatile lineman in Max Unger and a second 2010 first round pick. Clearly, the team is stronger today and for the future.
But how did the rest of the division do?
With three of four teams picking in the top 10, the NFC West should be due an influx of talent. Seattle wasn't the only team coming away with elite players.
To continue...
San Fransisco 49ers
Round 1, pick 10 (10) = Michael Crabtree WR
Many 12th Men wanted Texas Tech WR Michael Crabtree at four and instead saw him drop all the way to 10, right into the 49ers laps. But all is not lost for Seattle.
The wide receiver position is notorious for first round busts and slow starts. Coming from a spread offense and lacking dominating physical talent, Crabtree should at least see a slow start.
With QB Shaun Hill probably throwing the ball, Crabtree shouldn't be a deep threat either. The 'Hawks have time but will need to get a big, physical corner at some point to combat a division that already has Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.
St. Louis Rams
Round 1, pick 2 (2) = Jason Smith OL
Round 2, pick 3 (35) = James Laurinaitis LB
With OL Orlando Pace gone, everyone knew the Rams were desperate for a lineman, and they got the draft's best prospect in Baylor OL Jason Smith. The former tight end may struggle at first, but he should provide the Rams a quality bookend for years to come.
At linebacker, Ohio State's James Laurinaitis could be an immediate starter and may eventually supplant Pisa Tinoisamoa as the Rams' best. While he lacks ideal athleticism, he has good size and great instincts.
Will Witherspoon is currently the starter at middle linebacker, and it may not take much for Laurinaitis to top him on the depth chart. Witherspoon finished with only 72 tackles in 2008.
The Rams now have three solid young players in their front seven with former first-round defensive linemen Adam Carriker and Chris Long. The offensive line is still a mess though, and Smith may not provide immediate help.
Arizona Cardinals
Round 1, pick 31 (31) = Chris Wells RB
Round 2, pick 31 (63) = Cody Brown DE
The big question is does the addition of Ohio State RB Chris Wells give the Cardinals a running game. The short answer? No.
They still lack a good offensive line, and Wells isn't enough of a talent to overcome that. Even if he stay healthy, an improved 'Hawks run defense shouldn't have any problems with Wells. The highlight of the early season should come when Wells and Aaron Curry collide for the first time.
The pick of Connecticut DE Cody Brown is interesting. He had 10 sacks as a senior but is a bit undersized for the line at 244 pounds. The team is looking to add some youth to their 3-4 defense, and Brown could certainly operate as a linebacker in that defense.
He's going to be a project, but the Cardinals had a need and got perhaps the best talent left at that position.
Reach Jeff Richards at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
