The four teams of the NFC West controls control 5 of the first 16 picks (31.25%), and 6 of the first 26 picks (23%) on the board in the 2010 draft. Both the Seahawks and the 49ers will draft twice in the 1st round.
The Rams will kick off the day with the absolute #1 pick. The Seahawks are next up with the #6 pick. The 49ers are next with the #13. The Seahawks follow immediately with the #14 pick. The 49ers will draft again 2 picks later at #16. The Cardinals will bottom out the order at #26. The Rams will draft again at #33, giving the West 7 of the top 33 picks (21.21%).
It should be noted, in passing, that the Rams appear interested in parlaying their top pick into multiple picks. It will be difficult to gain multiple first rounders unless they deal with other members of the NFC West, which seems unlikely at this point. Given their porus offensive line, the Rams are unlikely to want Ndomukong Suh in a 49er or Seahawk uniform.
The NFC West is commonly regarded as the worst division in the NFL. Over the past several years, the division has been noted for an almost total lack of franchise QBs. Now that Kurt Warner has retired, not one team in NFC West has an established, healthy, combat ready franchise QB. This includes Matt Hasselbeck. One theory holds that the NFC West will pull nearly every quality QB prospect off the board at some point in the first 33 picks. This would not be wise in year described as 'a bad year for Quarterbacks' by NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock.
One thing that might prevent the West from grabbing QBs is the dominance of Defensive Head Coaches in this division. Mike Singletary, Steve Spagnuolo and Pete Carroll all come from the defensive side of the line of scrimmage.
Although the teams in the West are poor, they could be getting a lot better soon. They will be pulling a large and disproportionate number of picks off the board in 2010. If those choices are well used, the division stands to improve greatly in 2010 and beyond.
