NFC West Preview

 

We're going out west one more time here, this time to hit the NFC side of things. Geno and the Seahawks turned heads last season with one of the more improbable comeback stories you'll come across in sports. While Kyler Murray and the Cards did the exact opposite...

Photo: Sports Illustrated

Crazy discrepancies between the top teams in this bunch and the bottom, which should lead to some scrappy divisional games late. We'll see though, lets take it to Glendale for the...

Arizona Cardinals

Full disclaimer, this isn't a section filled with optimism here. The temporary quarterback room of Josh Dobbs and Clayton Tune is as bad of a situation as a team will find themselves in. Colt McCoy was just released Sunday, and overpaid, former #1 pick Kyler Murray is set to miss at least the first four weeks on the PUP list, recovering from an ACL tear. Given the missed time, terrible roster and rumors that the team may be ready to move on from their short QB, it wouldn't shock me if they keep him on the shelf after a slow start. It's the only way they could guarantee his health to potentially maximize trade returns during the offseason.

James Conner is steady I suppose at running back, albeit unspectacular. He'll be getting a ton of volume during the short periods of time Arizona keeps the score close. Hollywood Brown, Rondale Moore and Greg Dortch highlight an undersized receiving core that'll occasionally make some plays in the open field. 

Photo: Dale Zanine/ USA Today

Trey McBride has some upside at tight end, and should form a solid duo with Zach Ertz whenever the veteran's cleared to return. Rookie Paris Johnson Jr. has the makings of a cornerstone out at left tackle, definitely a pick we loved by them at #6.

I wonder if Budda Baker knew the Cardinals were going to be trading their second best defensive player when he signed his recent extension? A bad defense got even worse after they traded fellow safety Isaiah Simmons to the Giants, only managing to score a seventh round pick in return. It was a head scratching move on from a versatile, young player.

Second year guy Zaven Collins could end up being a decent piece out on the edge, and rookie BJ Ojulari was a favorite of many media pundits coming out of LSU, but this is going to be a rough bunch. And they're going to be stuck on the field a lot with an equally bad offense.

Synopsis/Predictions

I fully anticipate this team to be the worst in the league. Like, the only way you can be excited for this season as a Cardinals fan is if you're looking forward to replacing Kyler Murray with the top selection in the 2024 draft. Jonathan Gannon's prospects as a head coach don't really even excite me either. Just feels like a total waste of a season coming up out in the desert

-Kyler Murray plays for 3-6 games in the middle of the season before being shut down for some reason or another

-Don't be surprised if rookie sixth rounder Keaontay Ingram cuts into James Conner's snaps progressively as the season goes along. I don't think it'll impact Conner being the lead dog on and-goal scenarios though, and like his chances of surpassing his touchdown total of seven from a year ago

-The Cardinals defense will fall into the bottom five of the league for rush yards allowed. Facing run heavy out-of-division opponents like Philly, Chicago and Baltimore will add big chunks to those totals

Los Angeles Rams

While the Rams will be a superior team to the Arizona, I'm not completely convinced it'll be by a wide margin. Matthew Stafford is another year older, more brittle and now having a lot of trouble connecting to younger teammates-- per wife Kelly. Not the kind of report you're looking for from a guy who's supposed to be a veteran presence for the team.

Cam Akers isn't particularly flashy as LA's RB1, although his seven month turnaround from an Achilles tear is still one of the crazier things I've seen as a sports fan. Temper expectations from him on the ground, as well as the rest of the backfield. Cooper Kupp will be great, but certainly won't approach his offensive player of the year numbers. Tyler Higbee is a decent tight end, but Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell, Ben Skowronek...not a murderer's row of weapons at receiver.

Photo: Fantasy Pros

The big name on defense is obviously Aaron Donald, and it's a bunch of unknowns outside of that. Cobie Durant had a decent rookie season, but also benefitted from being opposite of Jalen Ramsey for much of it. This won't be a good group.

Synopsis/Predictions

Should be another team in the bottom barrel of the NFC. Taking a league high 14 draft picks will help them to rebuild their non-existent depth, thanks to the "Fuck them Picks" era, but unless some of those lottery tickets cash, they just won't have enough to compete. Stafford's already complaining, how much leash is he going to afford himself? With Stetson Bennett as the backup...woof.

-Cam Akers becomes more of a focal point in the offense, taking over 200 carries on the year, for less than 4.2 yards per carry

-Cooper Kupp nabs 100 catches, but in the single digits for his yards per reception

-Sean McVay, who has hinted at retirement recently, will ride off into the sunset with Matthew Stafford when the year wraps up

San Francisco 49ers

It's crazy to me how a UCL tear will sideline a pitcher for a year or more, but a guy like Brock Purdy can be cleared to play quarterback in less than eight months. Surely there's some medical explanation out there that can explain it, but it's above my pay grade at the moment. Mr. Irrelevant took America by storm during the Niners run to the divisional crown in '22-23, building up expectations for this encore-- especially since the team traded Trey Lance to the Cowboys earlier in the week. 

Kyle Shanahan will put him in the right spots to run it back though. Having a guy like Christian McCaffery, whose absolutely tailor made for this offense, will alleviate a ton of that pressure with his ability to grind on the ground and be a safety blanket through the air. Deebo Samuel missed four games a year ago and wasn't quite as productive while he was on the field, while Brandon Aiyuk clicked with Purdy, en route to his first career 1,000 yard stint. That'll be an interesting workload split to monitor; and one that makes me hate Deebo Samuel for fantasy purposes with his late 2nd ADP.

Apologies for my digression from the West, for my non-fantasy players. George Kittle rules, to wrap up the offensive side of things.

Photo: NFL.com

On the flip side, the addition of Javon Hargrave to this defensive line is a terrifying proposition for opposing interior lineman. It was probably a bit sweeter too to steal him away from Philly, where he's coming off a career high 11 sacks. He, Arik Armstead, Nick Bosa and Javon Kinlaw are going to wreak havoc, assuming the Bosa contract situation gets resolved.

Keep an eye on former first rounder Clelin Ferrell too. The former Raider was added as a free agent this offseason and has some potential, despite the shortcomings to start his career. If there'd be any team to get the most out of him, feels like it be San Francisco.

Love Fred Warner holding down middle linebacker, just a staple in the Bay Area at this point. Not a stacked secondary though, headlined by Charvarius Ward at corner and Tashaun Gipson at safety. The group's coming off a campaign where they were middle of the pack in passing yards allowed, which is exactly where I expect them to be again.

Synopsis/Predictions

What a fortunate twist of fate that John Lynch managed to uncover Brock Purdy. His emergence has really allowed many to overlook the monumental blunder of trading three firsts to move up for Trey Lance. On a resume beaming with successes, the North Dakota State product was an objective failure for San Francisco. It'll be talked about as one of the biggest busts ever before too long.

Such is life in the NFL though, far from an exact science. The 49ers are a great roster top to bottom, a big part of the reason they could not only withstand such a blow, but thrive through it. Physical style of play on offense and a top five defense should have them sniffing around for a division title.

-Brock Purdy has enough sharp year at quarterback, but does turn the ball over over fifteen times

-Christian McCaffery is the focal point of this offense, scoring sixteen or more total touchdowns

-Brandon Aiyuk establishes himself as the clear WR1 on the team, eclipsing 1,300 yards while matching, or breaking, his career high for touchdowns (8)

Seattle Seahawks

Geno Smith's emergence as, not just a viable quarterback, but a good one, in year eight of a disastrous career...talk about things nobody saw coming. Except Pete Carroll I suppose; never stop grinding toward your goals! 

Seattle rewarded their QB with a three-year, $105 million dollar contract this offseason to show their commitment to him; a deal he'd fully earned after a 30 touchdown 2022. Then they doubled down by selecting receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba with the 20th overall pick to boost an already strong core, headlined by DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Some long afternoons ahead for opposing DBs.

Photo: Jennifer Buchanan/ Seattle Times

Zach Charbonnet was also a rookie addition on offense, but to the running back room. He and Kenneth Walker II will be a formidable tandem, especially with defenses being unable to stack the boxes with all the weapons outside.

Despite going at 20, JSN was not the Seahawks' top pick in this most recent draft. That honor went to cornerback Devon Witherspoon, picked #5 out of the University of Illinois. He's a small, sticky, twitchy player that should have no problem adjusting to the pro world. Sophomore star Riq Woolen will be lined up opposite, at a substantially more imposing 6'4", 210. A real lightning-thunder combo at corner. Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs have elite potential at safety, but the former just can't seem to stay healthy.

Bobby Wagner's back wearing the green dot for Seattle; something we wouldn't want any other way after a sad year in LA. He'll be the field general for some young, talented backers Boye Mafe and Jordyn Brooks. Uchenna Nwosu will be hoping to build upon his breakout 9.5 sack performance a year ago, which should be aided by the team's reunion with Jarran Reed and addition of Dre'Mont Jones on the defensive line. Really good mix of youth and experience across the board defensively.

Synopsis/Predictions

Geno really set the bar high for himself last season. While I'm not fully all in on him being able to repeat those stats, his supporting cast has only improved, so it's not a farfetched possibility. This could be one the most talented bunches Pete Carroll's ever had up in Seattle, as bold a claim may as that may be. Gritty defense, lots of skilled position players. Fun season ahead! 

-Zach Charbonnet has over 30 receptions and five receiving touchdowns

-DK Metcalf clears 1,200 yards and double digit scores

-Devon Witherspoon has two pick sixes, constantly pestering opposing wideouts

Wrap Up

Gimme Seattle to finally reclaim the NFC West crown. I think their defense will take a huge jump forward, while Geno and company hold serve offensively. San Francisco makes the postseason as a wildcard, and could easily take the division if a few bounces go their way.

And the Cardinals will be picking first overall next April, book it now.

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@Choppinglines

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