ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando

Thanks to those who contributed to the NFC West chat Thursday. I'll provide a snippet from each team below. The full transcript features multiple NFL chats on ESPN.com, with the NFC West section included.

Doug (LA): Mike, I was hearing some rumors - what are the odds that the Rams, draft Sanchez only to facilitate a trade to another team (ie. Washington, Denver, Jets) for more picks?

Mike Sando: It's amazing to me how much Mark Sanchez chatter there has been in the couple weeks leading up to the draft. I think there's a lot of smoke. The risk in drafting a player for the purposes of trading the player comes in whether or not you can actually get the desired value in return. If you cannot, then you're stuck with a player you already tried to trade.

Nick (New York): How much do you think losing the coordinators are going to hurt the Cards? Do see them taking a step back even with a strong draft?

Mike Sando: I saw the Cardinals trying to evolve on both sides of the ball, anyway. The defense probably will not be worse over the course of the season. Only four teams allowed more points than the Cardinals last season. All four fired their head coaches. The offense will be looking for more balance. It might be less prolific this year with an eye toward becoming more efficient and reliable. The important thing, expectations-wise, is to remember that the Cardinals will not necessarily play all season the way they did in the playoffs last season. That was a special run.

Dan Taylor: I'm a huge Niners fan. Who do you think they'll pick up and why?

Mike Sando: I would expect the 49ers to watch for falling prospects. Does one of the top four tackles make it to 10? How about one of the top two receivers? What about the top pass rusher? I see the 49ers reading and reacting here, not going into the draft bound and determined to find a certain player.

Jay (Louisville): Sando, I haven't heard much talk about the Hawks taking a RB in the top 2 rounds. Considering the OC and head coach, and their current roster, do you think they would consider taking a playmaker at RB early?

Mike Sando: I have thought they would consider taking a back that early. The question in the back of my mind is whether the team values RBs any less since changing its blocking schemes. In the end, I do think Seattle will consider that position as early as the second or third round.