NFC West: Arizona Cardinals And Seattle Seahawks Improve

Dec 15, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) runs against Chicago Bears cornerback Kyle Fuller (23) during their game at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

The Seattle Seahawks have probably improved the most overall despite not making a huge splash in the first week of free agency.  They made the biggest trade of the offseason so far, obtaining tight end Jimmy Graham for center Max Unger.  It was a very surprising move on both teams in my estimation.

I would have imagined Unger going at some point soon because of injury, however they were able to use him to get one of the biggest holes on the Seahawks offense with one of the best players in the NFL at the position is just astounding.  Graham is the tight end quarterback Russell Wilson needs and one guy I know the Cardinals will have difficulty covering two games a season.  The Cardinals have difficulty covering tight ends as it is.

Added:

CB Will Blackmon

CB Cary Williams

It is interesting they got Williams.  He played very poorly against the Cardinals last season.  They needed two bodies for depth and possibly more though at corner with injuries to Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman.

The Seahawks lost several guys as well.  They lost guard James Carpenter to the Jets.  That is a huge loss as far as I’m concerned.  Cornerback Byron Maxwell went to the Philadelphia Eagles.  It seems as if the Eagles win there.  They also lost defensive end O’Brien Schofield to the Atlanta Falcons.  Outside linebacker Malcolm Smith went south to the Raiders.  Strong Safety Jeron Johnson went to the Washington Redskins.

If I had to grade the Seahawks in the first week since free agency began, I’d give them an A just for the Graham trade alone.  Everything else is icing on the cake.