NFC West Free Agency Capsules
Capsules of NFC West teams heading into free agency. Available salary cap space is an estimate. The 2016 salary cap is $155.27 million per team.
ARIZONA CARDINALS (14-4)
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: S Rashad Johnson, CB Jerraud Powers, RB Chris Johnson, RT Bobby Massie, TE Jermaine Gresham, OLB Dwight Freeney, C Lyle Sendlein, LG Ted Larsen, ILB Sean Weatherspoon, DE Josh Mauro, OLB LaMarr Woodley, RT Bradley Sowell, DE Red Bryant, CB Corey White, OLB Jason Babin.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: S Tony Jefferson, WR Jaron Brown, S D.J. Swearinger, ILB Kenny Demens, TE Ifeanyi Momah.
NEEDS: GM Steve Keim listed finding outside pass rusher as a top priority. Freeney filled in admirably after his in-season signing, finishing with team-high eight sacks in 11 games. But Freeney is contemplating retirement and team might want to go in another direction, anyway. Keim doesn't usually go after high-money free agents. Cardinals already have promising rookie OLB Markus Golden. Cardinals also are hunting for center, Massie probably will leave and Cardinals insist last year's first-round pick D.J. Humphries is ready. But they may want a veteran just in case; same could be said for RG. Also need bigger CB even if Powers re-signs. Keim is adept at plugging holes with late one-year deals with veterans. Effort to extend S Tyrann Mathieu could limit available cap space.
AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE: $16 million.
LOS ANGELES RAMS (7-9)
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: C Tim Barnes, LB Mark Barron, DT Nick Fairley, DE William Hayes, FB Cory Harkey, CB Janoris Jenkins, S Rodney McLeod, WR Brian Quick, DE Eugene Sims, WR Nick Toon, WR Wes Welker, K Greg Zuerlein.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: LB Daren Bates, RB Benny Cunningham, DB Cody Davis, QB Case Keenum, RB Chase Reynolds.
NEEDS: Rams will scour quarterback market for addition to compete with Case Keenum, Nick Foles and Sean Mannion. They could use upgrades at almost every offensive position aside from running back, with offensive line and tight end getting particular attention. Defense will be solid if they re-sign their own free agents, but Los Angeles might look at potential starting cornerbacks if it won't meet Janoris Jenkins' hefty price.
AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE: $44 million
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (5-11)
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: WR Anquan Boldin, OL Alex Boone, K Phil Dawson, DL Ian Williams, RB Reggie Bush.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: LB Michael Wilhoite, DL Tony Jerod-Eddie.
NEEDS: Biggest priority will be deciding whether to keep QB Colin Kaepernick and his nearly $12 million salary or let him go and find another quarterback to team with Blaine Gabbert. RT Anthony Davis could return after sitting out last season but offensive line will still need help even with Davis back. Niners also must upgrade at receiver and in secondary if they are to rebound in coach Chip Kelly's first season.
AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE: $63 million.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (11-7)
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: T Russell Okung, DT Brandon Mebane, G J.R. Sweezy, WR Jermaine Kearse, LB Bruce Irvin, CB Jeremy Lane, QB Tarvaris Jackson, LB Mike Morgan, P Jon Ryan, RB Fred Jackson, FB Will Tukuafu, DE Demarcus Dobbs, C Lemuel Jeanpierre, TE Chase Coffman, RB Bryce Brown, TE Anthony McCoy.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: WR Ricardo Lockette, DB DeShawn Shead, LB Nick Moody, RB Christine Michael, C Patrick Lewis, DB Steven Terrell, T Alvin Bailey, FB Derrick Coleman, CB Marcus Burley, CB Mohammed Seisay, TE Cooper Helfet, LB Eric Pinkins, DT Jesse Williams.
NEEDS: Line of scrimmage is priority for Seattle. There are problems to solve on offensive line and decisions to make on bringing back Okung and Sweezy. On the defensive front, Seattle retained Ahytba Rubin and wants to keep Mebane. Irvin is expected to be hot commodity on open market so Seattle will also need to find pass-rushing outside linebacker and could be looking to fill cornerback if Lane seeks new home.
AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE: $20 million.
---
AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL
