Here is the news coming from the NFC West rivals leading up to draft day. Also, I found an interesting post by Sando on what it would likely take for the Cardinals to grab Von Miller in the draft. Here is your NFC West Roundup.
Trading up into the third overall spot - NFC West Blog - ESPN
I think pretty much every Arizona Cardinal fan is praying that the Cards scoop up Von Miller in the upcoming draft. However, rumors have been circulating that the Buffalo Bills will likely be the team that takes him with the third overall pick. Therefore, the Cardinals would have to trade up in order to get him. The price to trade up two spots when you are this high in the draft is quite steep. Sando estimates that it would likely cost the Cardinals not only the first round swap, but also their second round pick to make an even trade. I highly doubt Rod Graves and Ken Whisenhunt will be looking to trade their second round pick to move up two spots to grab Miller. So now all we can do is wait and hope Buffalo decides to take either a QB like Blaine Gabbert or Cam Newton (assuming the Panthers don’t take him), or a defensive lineman like Marcell Dareus or Nick Fairley.
Video: 49ers on the clock - NFC West Blog - ESPN
Mel Kiper Jr., Chris Mortensen and Trent Dilfer (I don’t count Tirico) talk about who the San Francisco 49ers could draft with the 7th overall pick in this years draft. Kiper suggests Robert Quinn would be available and could immediately upgrade the pass rush with possible losses of players like Manny Lawson. They do not seem to think the 49ers would draft a quarterback at that position, assuming both Gabbert and Newton are already gone. Jim Harbaugh was a quarterback, so the assumption is that he could work with a later round choice (Kiper suggests Andy Dalton from TCU) and develop him in a timely manner. For Cardinals fans, we hope that the quarterback issues in SF continue, while at the same time, being able to fix our own.
2011 NFL Mock Draft: Prince Amukamara To 49ers Becoming More Likely? - Niners Nation
In this post (which incorporates the latest SB Nation Mock Draft) over at Niners Nation, Prince Amukamara is written about as the guy San Francisco fans are waiting to see in a 49ers jersey. Buffalo is the cause of this, being that they chose our beloved Von Miller. With Von Miller off the board, the consensus is that Arizona will select Patrick Peterson, the best DB in the draft, and Amukamara will be 2 spots behind him, landing in the Bay Area. I think that this outcome is highly possible and would more than likely be a good situation for all teams involved. What say you?
Matt Leinart, Pete Carroll, and the Seattle Seahawks - Field Gulls
Many rumors have been swirling as to where former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart will end up next season due to his unrestricted free agent status. Two of the possible destinations are right in our own backyard (so to speak) with the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. The Seattle Seahawks would obviously make a ton of sense given that Pete Carroll, Leinart’s former coach at USC, is now coaching in Emerald City. As Danny Kelly writes, he may be a long shot due to his lack of leadership skills and his overly laid back persona. I wouldn’t mind seeing Leinart in Seattle because I truly do not believe he has what it takes to become an elite NFL quarterback. However, as seen with wide receiver Mike Williams, Pete Carroll has a way of getting his old players to play well for him at the next level.
Talent Evaluation and How Jake Locker Reminds Me of Matt Ryan - Field Gulls
Many feel that the Seattle Seahawks will select hometown hero Jake Locker with the 25th overall pick in this upcoming draft. Locker, a former QB from Washington, showed he has what it takes to get to the next level and if he is not drafted in the first round, he will undoubtedly go in the 2nd. This particular post talks about the lack of a good unit surrounding Locker during his time with the Huskies and that with formidable receivers and a line that can give him time, he could be a steal. He is very athletic, he has knowledge of the game, and his leadership skills have been described as second to none. On top of all that, he has even drawn comparisons to Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. Ryan has found his way in the NFL since being drafted 3rd overall in 2008, so to compare Locker to him already is quite a statement. If Locker does get drafted by Seattle and turns into a Matt Ryan-esque type of player, look out. The Arizona Cardinals will have another young stud to deal with next to Sam Bradford.
2011 NFL Draft rumors: Rams and Cowboys talking trade? - Turf Show Times
The draft is nearing so trade talk that involves draft picks will inevitably come with it. Many of the members of Turf Show Times are very high on Julio Jones, the wide receiver from ‘Bama. According to this rumor, the Rams front office might be too. The Rams currently hold the 14th overall pick in the draft, while the Dallas Cowboys hold the 9th, which is coincidentally 1 spot higher than the Washington Redskins. In return for their "generosity" the Cowboys would likely be asking for an additional 3rd round pick from the Rams. So what do you say now Rams fans? Do you want to get Julio that bad while potentially leaving a hole unfilled in your roster? Jones could be just what they needed to capture the division for the first time since 2003, but only time will tell.
NFL Draft Rumors: The fall of Nick Fairley - Turf Show Times
Nick Fairley is considered to be the second best defensive tackle coming out of this year’s draft by most analysts. However, character issues remain a large part of the reason he is falling on many mock drafts around the web. Reports came out that he even blew off a meeting with Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland and head coach Tony Sparano (which were later disproven). Still, if Fairley does drop out of the top 10 in the first round, the St. Louis Rams would seriously have to consider a guy with his talent and potential at the 14 slot. We all saw what he was capable of in the BCS Championship game and throughout his short career at Auburn University. To put it plainly, he is a nightmare to plan for when coordinating your game plan. The Arizona Cardinals’ front line is already a bit shaky, so having to go up against a guy like Nick Fairley would not be a treat.