Another NFL season is in the books. But don’t worry, there is still the combine, the draft, free agency, and the trade season to keep you entertained. Many of these teams won’t even take a second to evaluate what went right and wrong and how they need to improve the upcoming season. Here are the 2026 NFC West team needs.
Seattle Seahawks
Biggest Needs: RB, WR, CB
The Seahawks are fresh off a Super Bowl title and have a young core that is ready to go right back at it. That being said, there are a lot of key players slated to become free agents this offseason. Kenneth Walker could be gone. So could Boye Mafe, Riq Woolen, and Rasheed Shaheed. The Hawks will have to choose to either prioritize bringing back their own guys or let them walk, save the cash, and rebuild through the draft. The window looks to be open for a while, and I think continuing to hit on picks while finding draft bargains is the team’s plan.
Los Angeles Rams
Biggest Needs: WR, S, OL
The Rams are working on a Matthew Stafford extension and just traded one of their two first round picks to bolster their secondary with Trent McDuffie. Next up on the list is to find a third-tier receiver that adds to the dominance of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams while getting even more athletic up front on offense. McDuffie helps the secondary, but they might also need to add a safety as Kam Curl is set to hit free agency. Strapped for cash is a decent way to describe the Rams who will need to hit on pick 13 in the draft and could go after OL or WR there.
San Francisco 49ers
Biggest Needs: WR, EDGE, OG
The 49ers have to hit in the draft. It’s as simple as that. As they look North and South at the Hawks and Rams, it’s clear that their success in April is what is driving their runs in January. The 49ers haven’t hit nearly enough in recent years and now have an aging core with a lot of money tied up there. After releasing Brandon Aiyuk, the team will lack a true number one receiving threat. They have practically no pass rush, even when Nick Bosa is healthy. And now, there is a legit concern that the 49ers and Trent Williams aren’t seeing eye-to-eye with his contract. The Niners have their work cut out for themselves this offseason.
Arizona Cardinals
Biggest Needs: QB, RB, OL
The Cardinals have lots of needs, but their most pressing ones all come on the same side of the ball. The team has said they are going to release Kyler Murray before free agency begins. There are a lot of interesting options for them. Fernando Mendoza might be the only round one QB taken, the third overall pick seems high to take a running back. If they go defense at that pick, expect offense heavy the rest of the draft. They could get involved in trades and go after Mac Jones, Tua Tagovailoa, or maybe J.J. McCarthy. Maybe Malik Willis or Jimmy Garoppolo are other options under center. The new regime has a lot to decide.