NFL Draft Happenings

NFC West:

This division is one of the weakest in the league. Each team had a solid draft and it really helped the West's Q Factor.

San Francisco is considered the favorite to win the division. They really beefed up their offensive line with the first two picks. Anthony Davis has character concerns but he could absolutely become a dominating right tackle. Mike Iupati will also be a starter from day one at right guard. Taylor Mays and Navorro Bowman are potential starters on defense. Anthony Dixon might be able to wrestle the #2 RB job from Glen Coffee. That's a haul of 4 potential starters which is a good draft.
Fantasy Implications... Frank Gore is now a definite Top 5 pick.
NFL Implications... If they get production at QB, the 49ers look like a playoff team.

Arizona has been on top in the West recently but they took some major loss when Kurt Warner retired. Then they traded WR Anquan Boldin and lost LB Karlos Dansby in free agency. The Cardinals stole DT Dan Williams at #26 and he should be a force. LB Daryl Washington has potential to start. Potential seems to be a key word for this draft. WR Andre Roberts MIGHT be a good slot receiver, DE O'Brien Schofield MIGHT end up being one of the top pass rushers from this class IF he recovers from injury and QB John Skelton MIGHT be a future starter if he can get some development and make the huge jump in competition.
Fantasy Implications... WR Steve Breaston will see increased looks as the new #2 WR
NFL Implications... They have big questions at QB and LT. They will drop back this year.

Seattle has been snakebit recently with injuries. Now they have the hot college coach coming in to try to turn things around... something which hasn't worked too well for other teams in the past few years. I have my doubts about Pete Carroll in the NFL but he certainly had a nice draft. Russell Okung fills a huge need at LT and he could have been a Top 2 pick overall and no one would have blinked. Then they get a guy who was considered one of the best DB's available in Earl Thomas. I could see Golden Tate becoming a starter at WR. DB Walter Thurmond and TE Anthony McCoy could also be key contributors. But that's not all! Seattle also added a lot of talent at RB by trading for both Lorenzen White and Leon Washington. Suddenly Seattle looks like a contender in the division again. If they get solid QB play.
Fantasy... TE John Carlson could be a Top 10 TE in Pete Carroll's scheme
NFL... Seahawks may be a year away but they appear to be on the rise.

St. Louis has been horrendous the past couple of years but they should at least be fun to watch. Some think QB Sam Bradford is a can't miss prospect. We shall see. The Rams were smart to get him some extra protection in OT Roger Saffold. The Rams need help pretty much everywhere but RB and that is why they drafted a lot of variety. They still do not have a #1 WR despite the drafting of Mardy Gilyard. And their defense still needs a lot of work. Unfortunately it looks like the Rams may have a Top 10 pick again next season even though they had a solid draft.
Fantasy... Sam Bradford becomes a viable fantasy option but probably only in keeper leagues.
NFL... Probably spending another year in the NFC West cellar.

Overall, each of these teams have big questions at QB. I pick the 49ers to win the division but I don't see any wild cards coming out of the West.