The NFC West looks like it will once again be among the toughest divisions in the NFL. All four teams can have a strong case made as to why they will head to the playoffs as the division winners.
As we head into training camp, rosters are beginning to take form, but there is always room for little tweaks and upgrades along the way as teams make their cuts around the league. There are always areas to upgrade on an NFL roster.
Here is one late free agency addition that could help each team in the NFC West.
Los Angeles Rams: RB Adrian Peterson
The Rams received some devastating news, as projected starting running back Cam Akers ruptured his Achilles while working out and is expected to miss the entire 2021 season. Akers was looked at by many people as a breakout candidate heading into his second season but the Rams will now have to find a replacement for him.
Veteran Adrian Peterson would be a strong replacement. He is interested in playing for the 15th season and showed he had some juice left the last two seasons with Washington and Detroit.
With Darrell Henderson still on the roster, the Rams just need a veteran to help complement him and Peterson can do that.
San Francisco 49ers: EDGE Justin Houston
The San Francisco 49ers are hopeful that injury luck will be on their side in 2021 after they were crushed by injuries throughout 2020. One of the players they will be relying on making a healthy return is Nick Bosa.
If Bosa and Dee Ford are unable to return to form, the 49ers could be lacking some pass rush options. Veteran Justin Houston is still available in free agency and showed that he can still get after the quarterback.
Houston had 8.0 sacks with the Indianapolis Colts last season, which was his lowest total since an injury derailed in 2016 when he had four in five games. Having that kind of pass-rushing insurance on the roster would make Kyle Shanahan sleep easier at night.
Seattle Seahawks: CB Josh Norman
Gone are the days of the Legion Of Boom for the Seattle Seahawks. While they have a strong safety combination of Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs, they could use a little more depth at the cornerback spot.
Veteran Josh Norman would be a logical late free-agency addition to help bolster the secondary, bringing a lot of experience to the group. Norman has battled some injuries in recent seasons, but adding a veteran of his caliber knowing he can step into a role at a moment’s notice is something the Seahawks would benefit from having.
If the Seahawks want to get back to the top of the NFC West, they need to shore up their secondary.
Arizona Cardinals: CB Steven Nelson
The Arizona Cardinals don’t have many holes on their roster. They had a good offseason, improving on both sides of the ball. However, cornerback still could use some more depth.
Malcolm Butler was signed in free agency, but his play has declined in recent years. Across from him, they are relying on Robert Alford, who hasn’t been healthy since 2018 and when he was, he didn’t produce very well. Byron Murphy Jr. will also see the field but has yet to make a mark.
Adding another established veteran to the mix that has had success in his career in Steven Nelson would make sense. Arizona will find it difficult to stop opponents through the air with their current cornerback group and needs some reinforcements.
