Sportsnet has you covered for NFL free agency with extensive breakdowns of every team heading into the 2014 league year. For all the divisions, click here.
Seattle Seahawks (13-3, 1st in NFC West)
Team needs: DL, G, WR
Projected salary cap space: $13.7 million
Key free agents: WR Golden Tate, CB Walter Thurmond III, RT Breno Giacomini, DT Tony McDaniel, DT Clifton McDonald, FB Michael Robinson, K Steven Hauschka
Candidates for release: DE Chris Clemons (cap savings of $7.5 million), TE Zach Miller (cap savings of $5 million)
Free agent fit: Henry Melton, defensive tackle
The skinny: The Seahawks kicked off their off-season by creating $12 million in salary cap space with the obvious moves to release Red Bryant and Sidney Rice. Both were highly-respected veterans but their salary numbers had exceeded their future value. With the extra cap space, the Seahawks were able to re-sign defensive lineman Michael Bennett to a four-year deal on Monday. He was a player they could not afford to lose. With Bennett’s extension, it’s unlikely they can retain Chris Clemons at his current cap number. They’ll look to add another veteran defensive lineman in free agency one a one-year deal, similar to Bennett last off-season.
San Francisco 49ers (12-4, 2nd in NFC West)
Team needs: CB, WR, SS
Projected salary cap space: $9.7 million
Key free agents: SS Donte Whitner, CB Tarell Brown, WR Mario Manningham, QB Colt McCoy
Candidates for release: CB Carlos Rogers (cap savings of $5.1 million)
Free agent fit: Emmanuel Sanders, wide receiver
The skinny: San Francisco made their most essential move last week with the re-signing of veteran receiver Anquan Boldin. He proved to be a perfect fit beside Michael Crabtree. With Boldin wrapped up, the team still needs to add speed at the receiver position. That’s where Emmanuel Sanders could work as a value free agent. He would fit only at a cap-friendly price. Overall, the 49ers will look to do most of their adding in the draft – where the team has at least 11 picks, including five in the first three rounds.
Arizona Cardinals (10-6, 3rd in NFC West)
Team needs: OT, RB, TE
Projected salary cap space: $17.1 million
Key free agents: ILB Karlos Dansby, RT Eric Winston, WR Andre Roberts, CB Antoine Cason, K Jay Feely
Candidates for release: Ryan Williams (cap savings of $1.1 million), released G Darryl Colledge
Free agent fit: Jared Veldheer, offensive tackle
The skinny: Arizona took a huge step forward in their first season under Bruce Arians. They were the lone team to beat Seattle at home and were the only double-digit win team not to qualify for the post-season. Now Arizona needs to add a few more pieces to become a true contender. The ideal place to start would be the offensive line. They could use an upgrade at left tackle and free agent Jared Veldheer – formally of Oakland — would be an ideal fit . The Cards also get 2013 first-rounder Jonathan Cooper back at left guard next year (he missed his rookie season with a knee injury) so the line could be significantly improved with the addition of a quality veteran tackle. This would not only help turnover-prone quarterback Carson Palmer, who played with Veldheer in Oakland, but it could have a major impact on the running game, which struggled to consistently produce in Arians’ first season.
St. Louis Rams (7-9, 4th in NFC West)
Team needs: OT, FS, WR
Projected salary cap space: $6.3 million
Key free agents: OT Rodger Saffold, OLB Jo-Lonn Dunbar, QB Kellen Clemens
Candidates for release: CB Cortland Finnegan (cap savings of $4 million), released RG Harvey Dahl
Free agent fit: Maclolm Jenkins, safety
The skinny: The Rams offered glimpses of greatness last season but did not have a complete enough team to contend with the tough competition in their division. The biggest question remains at quarterback where Sam Bradford is being paid like at elite player at the position. He carries a cap number of $17 million next season even though he has yet to have a winning season in his NFL career. The Rams will have two first-round picks in May (thanks to the Robert Griffin III trade) and should do what they can to add a big receiver and another offensive tackle. In free agency, Malcolm Jenkins would be a very logical fit because of his ties to new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and the organizational hole at safety.
