NFC West Free Agency Capsules
ARIZONA CARDINALS (11-6)
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: CB Antonio Cromartie, ILB Larry Foote,, LB John Abraham, NT Dan Williams, TE Rob Housler, OLB Sam Acho, LS Mike Leach, DT Tommy Kelly, OG Paul Fanaika, OLB Marcus Benard, RB Jonathan Dwyer.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: QB Ryan Lindley, DT Alameda Ta'amu.
NEEDS: The Cardinals want to upgrade their pass rush, particularly from outside linebacker. Inside linebacker is another area of concern. Foote is joining the coaching staff, with the option to return as a player, and the status of Daryl Washington -- suspended for a year for violating the league's substance abuse policy -- is uncertain. Washington faces another punishment for a domestic violence conviction. Arizona is looking for a power running back. Interior defense could be another target, because DT Darnell Dockett was released and NT Dan Williams is an unrestricted free agent. The Cardinals could seek a cornerback with the anticipated departure of Cromartie, but the coaching staff likes special teams ace Justin Bethel moving into a starting role.
ST. LOUIS RAMS (6-10)
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: OT Joe Barksdale, WR Kenny Britt, DE Alex Carrington, LB Will Herring, QB Shaun Hill, G Davin Joseph, TE Lance Kendricks, OT Mike Person.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: OT Tim Barnes, QB Austin Davis, TE Cory Harkey, S Rodney McLeod, RB Chase Reynolds, OT Brandon Washington.
NEEDS: Quarterback insurance for Sam Bradford, who missed all last season and nine games in 2013 with a left knee injury, gets the most attention. Coach Jeff Fisher has softened his stance that the starting job was up for grabs; it's likely Bradford's contract will be reworked to save cap space. The biggest holes are in front of Bradford. OT Jake Long and C Scott Wells both struggled to stay on the field and Barksdale, who's been solid at RT, is testing the market. Joseph was so-so and isn't likely to return. Releasing DT Kendall Langford, who lost his starting spot to NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Aaron Donald, cleared $6 million in cap space.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (8-8)
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: RB Frank Gore, WR Michael Crabtree, G Mike Iupati, CB Chris Culliver, LB Dan Skuta, CB Perrish Cox, WR Brandon Lloyd, WR Kassim Osgood, S Raymond Ventrone, CB Chris Cook, LB Desmond Bishop, RB Phillip Tanner, RB Alfonso Smith, QB Blaine Gabbert, QB Josh Johnson.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: LB Michael Wilhoite, TE Garrett Celek, LS Kyle Nelson.
NEEDS: The 49ers' top priority will be help for QB Colin Kaepernick. The team needs help at receiver, especially if Crabtree leaves. The big question will be at running back where the franchise's all-time leading rusher in Gore can hit the open market. Carlos Hyde showed promise as a rookie last year, but Gore has been the heart of the team for almost a decade. On defense, the Niners would like to upgrade the secondary, especially at cornerback. They signed DT Darnell Dockett.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (14-5)
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: G James Carpenter, TE Anthony McCoy, QB Tarvaris Jackson, TE Tony Moeaki, FB Will Tukuafu, DT Kevin Williams, LB Malcolm Smith, LB O'Brien Schofield, S Jeron Johnson, CB Byron Maxwell, DT Landon Cohen, DE Demarcus Dobbs, LB Heath Farwell, DT D'Anthony Smith.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: WR Jermaine Kearse, LB Mike Morgan, OL Stephen Schilling, WR Bryan Walters.
NEEDS: Seattle's main focus is taking care of QB Russell Wilson, LB Bobby Wagner and trying to convince RB Marshawn Lynch to come back for another season with a new contract. The Seahawks likely won't be heavily active in free agency, but there are places where they could use help. The depth of the secondary is suddenly a worry with nearly everyone who played in the Super Bowl recovering from some injury and the chances Maxwell will get a big pay day from someone else. Offensive line depth has continued to be a concern and adding bodies on the defensive line could be important with uncertainty whether Kevin Williams would return for a 13th season. And Seattle's offense could use another target for Wilson, whether that's at wide receiver or tight end.
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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL
Copyright 2015 by The Associated Press
This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index
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