NFC West remaining team needs

Breaking down the top six areas to address for every squad in the draft

Originally Published: April 6, 2012
By Gary Horton | Scouts Inc.

With NFL free agency slowing down, teams are in the middle of setting their draft boards for the 2012 NFL draft. No team filled all of its roster holes in free agency, so where are the areas of weakness for each roster heading into the draft?

Here are the top six needs for every NFL team leading into the draft, broken up by division. The AFC was released on Thursday. Here is the NFC file.

St. Louis Rams

Top needs:
1. Wide receiver: Even though they added Steve Smith (Philadelphia) in free agency, he has knee problems and there is no assurance that he can give them any quality production in 2012. Their best WR, Brandon Lloyd, is now in New England. The Rams desperately need a No. 1 WR, along with a solid No. 2.

2. Offensive line: With the exception of newly acquired C Scott Wells from Green Bay and RG Harvey Dahl, this unit is a mess. They have two tackles, Rodger Saffold and Jason Smith, who have battled injuries and wound up finishing the 2011 season on injured reserve -- neither guy has LT qualities. There is virtually no depth across this front that gave up 55 sacks a year ago. The Rams really need two new starters, something they probably can't get out of this draft.


To read more about the top six needs for every NFC West team, plus to get all of Insider's NFL Draft content, you must be an ESPN Insider.

Gary Horton

Scouts Inc.
Gary Horton spent 10 years in the NFL as a scout and another 10 years at the college level as an assistant coach and recruiter. He is the founder and most seasoned member of the Scouts Inc. staff, and his extensive experience at all levels of football make him an excellent talent evaluator.

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