Seahawks: The State of the NFC West at the Combine
By Ben Renner
The Seahawks’ rivals are gearing up for the NFL Draft like everyone else. What challenges will the rest of the division face in the near future?
The Seahawks’ brass, like every other team, are pouring over scouting data to find their next wave of young stars for the future at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. There has been much speculation about who the Seahawks will draft in April and what positions they’ll target. We know the issues facing the John Schneider, Pete Carroll and the Seahawks’ leadership at the NFL Combine; let’s take a look at the division and try to spy on the Cardinals, 49ers, and Rams during their Combine process.
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The LA Rams are busy moving their franchise from St. Louis and have other issues distracting them from the Combine. There’s no doubt Rams General Manager Les Snead is still managing to scout potential draft picks and mull how long he can let Jeff Fisher keep them in mediocrity. But there’s also no doubt that finding a new training center, finding new homes for players and coaches in a new city, and keeping things stable in an unstable situation is affecting their process.
All of the Seahawks’ division rivals are looking for answers at quarterback. Jeff Fisher has somehow managed to keep a straight face while saying Case Keenum is the starter for the Rams heading into 2016, but there’s no way he thinks Keenum or Nick Foles is a long- or short-term answer to lead his team. The Cardinals have their quarterback in Carson Palmer, but he’s heading into his age-37 season next year and has a long history of injuries.
The 49ers have an ever-complicating quarterback situation after incumbent Colin Kaepernick reportedly demanded a trade last week. If the rumors are true, new head coach Chip Kelly could–well, he can could do anything. Kelly has shown in the past he’s willing to think outside the box. Even if 9ers General Manager Trent Baalke still retains personnel power, Kelly will do whatever he can to get his guy, whoever that may be.
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The NFC West will look a little different next season, but at least we can all count on Schneider and Carroll to draft the right guys and contend for a championship.