The NFL Draft is quickly approaching and we at InhaleSports want to provide the best coverage of your favorite NFL team, so we will be doing NFL Draft Previews through each Division. Today we got the NFC West. We will be predicting each teams first round picks while also identifying each teams needs.
Los Angeles Rams: Pick #1
The Rams are taking Jared Goff, it’s almost inevitable. What they need to do in the rest of the draft is find people he can throw too, and people to protect him. Very simple really.
Pick: Jared Goff, QB, California
San Francisco 49ers: Pick #7
The Niners could benefit from picking a QB, but at #7 reaching up is almost impossible, and there isn’t really another QB besides the top two, who would be worth a top 10 pick. Maybe Connor Cook in the second round, but no way they should draft Christian Hackenberg or Paxton Lynch with at top 10 pick. Another need for the Niners is wideout, but again I don’t see this being fulfilled here. Defensively, they could use to add another pass rusher, after losing Aldon Smith and Ray McDonald. That’s why I see the Niners drafting DeForest Buckner out of Oregon. Buckner is huge and productive, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him in the red and gold. Besides, if Buckner slips to #7, the Niners could trade back for someone who wants him. They could also take him themselves and have a solid lynch pin in Chip Kelly’s defense.
Pick: DeForest Buckner, DE, Oregon.
Seattle Seahawks: Pick 26
The Seahawks desperately need offensive line help, and lucky for them, they don’t have to spend a first round pick on that need, because the class is very deep in Offensive Line. They could wait until the second round and still get someone like Cody Whitehair from Kansas State. Whitehair is a guard/center combo who can play either position. He’s got strong hands and quick feet, and could be a good interior lineman for the Seahawks. Defensively we saw the Legion of Boom take a step back last year, not because of Richard Sherman, but rather the cornerbacks. I think Eli Apple is the pick here, partially because I think he’s fall, but also because he and Sherman could combine to be a deadly combination at cornerback.
Pick: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
Arizona Cardinals: Pick #29
Arizona wanted to address the center position during free agency but they failed to do so. They could easily draft Ryan Kelly, of Alabama here, to satisfy one need. But I think the Cardinals would be smart to draft an Edge Rusher with this pick. Someone like Emmanuel Ogbah, coming out of Oklahoma State. His explosiveness off the edge could have the Cardinals jumping to sign this prospect.
Pick: Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State.
