NFC West Trade Deadline Preview: Possible Moves for the Cardinals, 49ers, Seahawks and Rams
Areas where the four teams in the NFC West might be able to improve and players those teams could target.
The NFC West looked pretty clear-cut this year: San Francisco would dominate and win the division while the other three would be somewhere between the wild card and the bottom of the league.
Well, the first two months haven’t gone that way. All four teams are within a half-game of each other, and injuries have made the 49ers look like a team in peril rather than a Super Bowl favorite. This looks like a division that won’t be decided until January.
That means each franchise has reason to consider adding a player or more at the trade deadline. Sometimes, small tweaks are all that are needed, adding depth more than any true difference maker. Other times, a team can make a big splash that bumps their playoff and Super Bowl odds, though those are more common in other sports.
Let’s go through each team in the NFC West and look at where they stand, an area they could possibly upgrade, and a trade target who might be available. Teams are listed in order of their standing heading into Week 9.
Check out our other deadline previews:
Last-place Teams' Players to Trade
Arizona Cardinals (4-4)
This was seen as a transition year for Arizona, who added a ton of young talent but seemed short on high-impact players. They’ve won three of four games after a 1-3 start, with victories over the 49ers, Chargers, and Dolphins (with Tua) during that stretch.
They’re technically atop the division right now and can control their own destiny, especially with four division games and matchups against NFC playoff hopefuls Minnesota and Chicago (this week) remaining.
Position to Upgrade: Defensive Line
By ESPN’s offensive and defensive line metrics (which I will reference often), the Cardinals are last in the league in pass rush win rate. They’re just a little better against the run: 26th. They have allowed the sixth-most yards per pass attempt and 12th-most yards per rush attempt.
They could upgrade with small moves or make a big splash, and there’s a guy who is surely available and could help the team in multiple ways.
Possible Target: Jadeveon Clowney, Carolina Panthers
I’ve mentioned Clowney in each of the past two articles also because he fits as both a pass rusher and run defender. A team that badly needs help with both would see great value from the former top overall pick.
Clowney ranks as the top run defender among edge players by those ESPN metrics, and he has four seasons with at least nine sacks. He won’t be a superstar, but he’s a veteran who can win on the edge.
First-round rookie Darius Robinson started the year on the IR and was just activated; that could help. Add in an impact veteran, like Clowney, and Arizona could turn from a basement defensive line to something approaching average.
San Francisco 49ers (4-4)
Everything has gone wrong for San Fran early in the year. Christian McCaffrey hasn’t played. Brandon Aiyuk is out for the season with a torn ACL. Receivers Deebo Samuel and Jauan Jennings have both missed time. Rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall was shot!
The defense has been a little better off but still not immune. Dre Greenlaw hasn’t played after tearing his Achilles in the Super Bowl, and safety Talanoa Hufanga is on IR again, questionable to return in 2024.
Brock Purdy hasn’t been as good, averaging nearly a yard per attempt less than in 2023. He also has seven interceptions after only throwing 11 last year; at least he’s run for a career-high number of yards (210).
And they’re still 4-4 and tied for the division lead. With records even, San Francisco is the favorite to emerge, even with all the adversity. McCaffrey is nearing his return, and the offensive machine works best with him greasing the cogs.
Area to Upgrade: Health?
The 49ers’ defense ranks in the top 10 in least yards per pass attempt and rush attempt. The offense ranks in the top five in most yards per pass attempt and rush attempt. They are a top-seven team by total DVOA, offensive DVOA, and defensive DVOA.
San Fran does rank just 29th in run blocking, but they are third in pass blocking, so I doubt the team is looking to make any changes on the offensive line. Adding depth might be the best thing for the team just in case injuries keep racking up.
Possible Target: Azeez Ojulari, New York Giants
There are a few things I say often; it’s not an accident or my early onset old-person brain. One of those things is, “Nobody ever has enough pass rushers.” A strong unit might turn into a below-average group if Nick Bosa were to get hurt, for instance, so there’s no problem with adding another good player.
The 49ers brought in Chase Young from Washington in the final year of his rookie contract at last season’s deadline. This would a similar move, grabbing a guy that will likely be forced to go elsewhere for his payday after New York spent big (in money and draft picks) on Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
I listed Ojulari as a target for a few teams in other divisions also. The reality is he’d probably be of use to every team, even a non-contender who could look to sign him long term.
Seattle Seahawks (4-4)
Seattle has enough talent to contend. They’ve drafted well at the most important positions, maybe only a quarterback short of being a true contender. Geno Smith isn’t a bad quarterback; he’s been really good since taking over as the starter in Seattle.
This is a chance for Smith to show he can win, taking the division crown and maybe winning a home playoff game. If the team fades, they’ll likely be considering a move at QB because there is high-level talent elsewhere on the roster.
Position to Upgrade: Right Tackle
This could also be an interior lineman, but the Seahawks need better work up front. They are average or worse in both yards per pass attempt and rush attempt. Seattle’s O-line ranks 28th in pass blocking and 25th by run blocking.
Smith can’t maximize his opportunities if he’s constantly on the run, and the backs won’t make magic happen if defensive guys are in the backfield. Everything starts up front.
Possible Target: Andrus Peat, Las Vegas Raiders
Peat is currently playing a backup role, but he has experience at both guard and left tackle. He could take over a role inside, but the team could also bump him out to right tackle and see how he holds up. It would only cost a late-round pick swap and not much money, so it could be one of several moves.
I also really like the idea of a team trying to rehabilitate Giants’ tackle Evan Neal. That seems more like a long-term project and not something that would fill a hole this year, but Neal was a top-10 pick coming out of college and projected as a franchise left tackle.
Los Angeles Rams (3-4)
LA seems to be on two paths at the same time: Hall-of-fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald retired in the offseason, and the team has a ton of young players on defense trying to form a new identity without the star pass rusher.
On the offensive side, they still have veterans Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp, along with Puka Nacua, who returned last week after being injured in Week 1. The offense is ready to win now, but the defense is much less seasoned and may hold the team back.
Position to Upgrade: Cornerback
The Rams added veteran cornerbacks Darious Williams and Tre'Davious White in the offseason to help a young secondary: both players are now in backup roles, and one or both could be traded away.
LA can help themselves by taking another stab at veteran help. The Rams have allowed the fourth-most yards per pass attempt and own the fifth-worst defensive DVOA. In a passing league, that type of performance isn’t going to allow this team to make any sort of run.
Possible Target: Jaycee Horn, Carolina Panthers
Horn was a top-10 pick but played less than half the games during his first three seasons because of injury. He’s played in every game this year, and the Panthers might be wise to get value for him before he goes down again.
Horn is another young player, but he at least has a few years of experience and a better pedigree than anyone in LA’s secondary. He would also be a candidate to sign an extension if he played well, giving the team a possible future top corner.
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