FROM MICHAEL LOMBARDI:

In today’s final installment of our division-by-division breakdown of team needs, we examine the NFC West. Here are five questions each team must answer heading into next month’s NFL Draft:

Click HERE for a breakdown of the NFC South

Click HERE for a breakdown of the NFC North

Click HERE for a breakdown of the NFC East

Click HERE for a breakdown of the AFC East

Click HERE for a breakdown of the AFC North

Click HERE for a breakdown of the AFC South

Click HERE for a breakdown of the AFC West 

NFC WEST

ARIZONA

1.    What’s the solution at left tackle? It affected them in the Super Bowl and it affected them in games all year. The Cards must find someone for the left tackle position. 

2.    Who is going to be the running back next season?  And how are the Cards going to improve their run game?  They ranked last in the NFL in four-yard runs. 

3.    How do they improve their nickel defense? They were the 28th-ranked team in allowing points in the two-minute drill.  They must find pressure without blitzing.  For all their blitzing, the Cards had only 31 sacks last year. 

4.    Who will be the kickoff returner?  Losing J.J. Arrington affected their ability to return. 

5.    Defensive end seems to be unproven or old, so who will be the most effective defensive ends? 

SAN FRANCISCO

           

1.    Who will be the most effective short- and long-term solution at QB?  Can either Shaun Hill or Alex Smith fit into the new offense? 

2.    Who will be the right tackle?  The 49ers have struggled to fill this area of need for some time. 

3.    How are the Niners going to pressure the passer next year?  Who will be the best rusher?

4.    Can Kentwan Balmer handle being a starting defensive end in this defense?

5.    Will the help of a pass rush aid the secondary, or do the 49ers need more speed and coverage talent in their secondary? 

SEATTLE

1.    With the signing of Colin Cole and the trade of Corey Redding have the Seahawks done enough to handle the inside of their defense?

2.    Who is going to be the right tackle of the future, and who will be the left tackle of the future?  This might be the last chance the Seahawks get at nailing down a legitimate left tackle.

3.    Opponents had a 96.0 quarterback rating against this defense last year. The Seahawks could not slow down a running game or passing game.  Who’s going to make plays for them on pass defense, Josh Wilson?

4.    Who’s going to fill in for Julian Peterson and replace his five sacks, which tied for second on the team? 

5.    Who is going to be the back-up QB?  Seneca Wallace proved last season he might be able to play quarterback, but he’s not a winning quarterback. 

ST. LOUIS

1.    Who takes over for Orlando Pace at left tackle?  It is not Alex Barron. 

2.    Who’s going to be the starting QB?  Alternatively, are they just going to say Marc Bugler’s bad season in ‘08 was an aberration?  If so, who’s the back-up? 

3.    The Rams allowed 26.2 yards per kickoff return last year, worst in the NFL.  How are they going to improve in this area?

4.    Who’s going to beef up the middle of their defense? They gave up almost five yards a carry last season.

5.    They do not have a legitimate Sam linebacker on the roster. Does this mean Aaron Curry might be a possibility at No. 2 in the draft?  They could use any talented player at any position.