2025 NFL Draft Review: NFC West

The defense-heavy draft also supplements the focus of the Cards’ free agency. It appears that Arizona brass has confidence in Kyler Murray and the offense, which features RB James Conner, WR Marvin Harrison Jr., and TE Trey McBride. I’d feel pretty suitable heading into the new season with a new-look defense and continuing momentum under Murray and gang.

Los Angeles Rams

Guess who’s back-back again? That would be quarterback Matthew Stafford! After some negligible trade rumblings, LA can take a deep breath as they welcome back their Super Bowl champ QB for another season. After yet another year of trading out of round one to stockpile extra capital, the Rams focused on a split campaign between offense and defense.

The picks I was most impressed with would be tight end Terrance Ferguson (2-46), EDGE Josiah Stewart (3-90), and LB Chris Paul Jr. in round five. Not only does Ferguson have the potential to be a starter, but let’s not forget that Tae Adams will also be fresh in the lineup for LA. Both Stewart and Paul Jr. fill needed voids, too, that can keep them contending in the West.

San Francisco 49ers

The Niners saw some big-name departures during this current offseason; to name a few, Deebo Samuel, Dre Greenlaw, Charvarius Ward, Talanoa Hufanga, Javon Hargrave, and more. Notice the volume of defense that hit the exit door. Between that and Robert Saleh back as defensive coordinator, their defense-heavy selections are wise.

Their first two picks, Mykel Williams (EDGE, Georgia) and Alfred Collins (DT, Texas), were fantastic all around. They fill major holes, come from respectable programs, and hail from the SEC. Some may sneer at Williams’s age, but considering he was captain at age 20 under Kirby Smart gives me zero doubt he is NFL-ready.

John Lynch’s next few picks were still on the D train: a linebacker, corner, and DT to be exact. They all show positive upside and, again, fill needed voids. Later rounds would see a pair of wideouts and a running back taken. Not surprising given the departure of Samuel to the Commanders and Aiyuk recovering from knee surgery.

My biggest question mark for San Francisco is the lack of offensive linemen taken…aka one (in round seven). It makes me a little leery about the protection of Brock Purdy heading into 2025. I’m not sold on a resurgent season for the Niners with the Rams looking like they will come out swinging, and both Seattle/Arizona are wildcards with improvements.

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle had one of the best drafts when you consider their boisterous offseason. They lost Geno Smith and wide receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett; however, they gained QB Sam Darnold and wideouts Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

Though not a splashy first-rounder, I really loved the addition of Grey Zabel, guard out of NDSU to kick things off. This will help Darnold to sleep at night in an attempt to keep him upright throughout the season. Next up (2-35 after trading up with Tennessee), they snagged arguably the best safety in this draft class: Nick Emmanwori. The comparisons to former Legion-of-Boomer Kam Chancellor are something to be VERY excited about.

Two more offensive picks- TE Elijah Arroyo and QB Jalen Milroe- would get Seattle through their double-digit selections. I have no problem with either, as Arroyo can prove to be another deep threat for Darnold, while Milroe has an opportunity to develop under veteran Darnold. The rest of their draft would be heavily focused on retooling the offense. If healthy and drawn up in the right schemes, Mike Macdonald could have a nice 2025 in his sophomore season.

2025 NFL Draft Review: NFC West