Nearing the end of the second week of free agency most of the big names have been signed and people think anyone signed at this point isn’t a good player. Well, that just isn’t the case. A lot of guys remaining at this point can be signed at a bargain and can still contribute a significant amount to whatever team ends up signing them. The four teams in the NFC West haven’t been very busy up to this point but are still looking to add a few pieces in the time leading up to the draft.

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals have filled a few needs already (signing Ted Ginn Jr.,Antonio Cromartie,  Jonathan Dwyer, and Jared Veldheer) but there are some that still remain. They still need depth at defensive end and outside linebacker. A few guys they could sign are Shaun Phillips or Jared Allen. Neither are a long term answer but both would provide needed quarterback pressure and depth at the position when the Cardinals eventually draft someone at each of those positions.

Those two would also provide valuable help to any rookies they brought in and allow them to develop faster. Another position of need is safety. A guy they could bring in to fill this need is Chris Clemons. He is young and could start in their defense for years to come. 

He is also versatile and able to line up at a variety of positions. If they were looking at someone a bit cheaper and someone they can bring in to compete with a high draft pick with a good chance of just being a backup, they might look to Thomas DeCoud. He wouldn’t demand a lot of money and he would be able to come in a push a high draft pick. If that rookie ended up winning out, DeCoud would be a serviceable backup but if the rookie wasn’t ready in his first season DeCoud could keep the spot warm until the rookie is able to take over.

The Cardinals are a team on the rise who likes to build through the draft. Any holes they have at this point they will most likely look for a long term answer in the draft and look to add depth in free agency.

St. Louis Rams

The Rams have been the least active during free agency thus far. They haven’t signed anyone that wasn’t on their roster last season. One of their needs they might be looking to address before the draft is depth at the interior of their defensive line.

One guy they might start making a run at is former Buffalo lineman Alex Carrington. He’s one of the best free agents still available at this position, wouldn’t cost the Rams a lot of money, and would be able to start in the case of an injury. The Rams are also looking for someone to replace Cortland Finnegan. With what’s left in free agency, I would imagine they would only bring in someone like Carlos Rogers or Terrell Thomas as depth with no guaranteed money.

The best bargain here might be Rashean Mathis but even he won’t be starting material. Another position in their secondary they’re looking to strengthen is at safety. Same as the Cardinals, the two guys that would fit the best are Clemons and DeCoud and both for the same reasons. It’s not a deep draft at this position but with two first-round picks this year, I can see the Rams turning their number two overall pick into more picks and taking one of the top safeties.

San Francisco 49ers

A team that was one play away from their second straight Super Bowl trip usually doesn’t have many needs. The 49ers certainly fit that mold. At this point the most they’re looking for in free agency is depth. A major spot they need depth is inside linebacker, especially with the injury of NaVorro Bowman. Michael Wilhoite will most likely be the replacement until Bowman gets back but who would fill in if Patrick Willis went down, even if just for a game?

With the plethora of draft picks the 49ers own this year, they could easily draft a solid linebacker in the middle to late rounds but a solid grab in free agency would be Arthur Moats. Moats is a great locker room guy (Walter Payton Award winner) and is very versatile, something teams like the 49ers like. He played defensive end in college and was moved to inside linebacker with the Bills in their 3-4 scheme.

With the Bills he also played some outside linebacker. Being able to play different positions is very valuable as it allows them to add depth at multiple positions. He would also add to their special teams. Another position where depth is needed is defensive end. Justin Smith and Ray McDonald aren’t going to be around forever. In fact, due to age and salary cap, this could be both of their last seasons in San Francisco.

They have Cornellius Carradine coming back from what was essentially a red shirt season last year but they still need more. With pass rushing being so important in today’s NFL, the 49ers could look to bring in Anthony Spencer to play a one-gap style defensive end.

Bringing him in would keep their line healthier all year and it would create more of a pass rush. On third down passing downs, the 49ers would be able to have Carradine, Spencer, Aldon Smith, and Ahmad Brooks all rushing the passer. That would be quite a test for any offensive line.

Seattle Seahawks

The Seahawks are a deep team with very few roster spots up for grabs. However, their biggest need is at wide receiver. They are certainly going to draft a wide receiver in the early rounds, I think they’re also going to make a strong push for another wide receiver in free agency.

There is still starting caliber talent to be had. Some of the guys that would fit what they’re trying to do are Kenny Britt, Miles Austin, and Danario Alexander. Any one of these three could bring a lot to a roster. Britt might be the best fit for them if they could just make sure his off the field issues don’t get in the way of his talent. One of their only other needs would be offensive line depth.

A name you don’t hear much about but would be really good depth is Uche Nwaneri. He is a solid pass blocker but struggles a little when it comes to run blocking. With the zone running scheme the Seahawks employ, that could be hidden. Eric Winston is still out there, as is Travelle Wharton. The offensive line will be an area they absolutely address during the draft, but they have enough question marks here I still see them adding some serious talent in free agency.

The NFC West has been fairly quiet during the first couple of weeks of free agency but this is the time this division usually does its damage. This is where they get the bargains and the value. There’s a lot of talent still out there and it’s a buyer’s market. The question is: which teams can recognize the value and which teams will end up having buyer’s remorse?