[2023] Division Preview: NFC West

[Piercewise1]

NFC WEST

 

Team: Arizona Cardinals
Last Year: 16-1 (division champion)

Additions:

N/A

Departures:

N/A

Key Progressions:

WR Raymond Stelly +4 (73, 4)
OG Daniel Mosseau +5 (75, 5)
OG Angel Loe +5 (66, 2)
WR Franco Milton -5 (74, 11)
WR Michael King -5 (74, 11)

Rookie to Watch:

CB Adam Germen

Overview:

The Cardinals have a stacked offense, with 10 players of 73+ and a 1^st round pick in the remaining spot. But their window is closing quickly, with QB Patrick Johnson and his top receivers all in their mid-30s. And the defense is suspect outside a few superstars, so its all the more important that the offense can outpace their opponents.

Strengths:

Offensive skill (RB/WR/TE)
Offensive line

Weaknesses:

Defensive end
Inside linebacker

Outlook:

The Cardinals have maxed out their spending to create a winning team, and another big bill is coming when those receivers retire (each is owed another $16M in guaranteed money). No one will complain if it nets them a championship, but that budget will need to be balanced eventually. In the meantime, their offense should be the envy of the league.

 

Team: Los Angeles Rams
Last Year: 12-5 (wild card)

Additions:

ILB Jack Ousley (72, 11)
FS Andre Williams (71, 12)
DE William Poku (72, 5)
CB Ramon Newton (63, 2)

Departures:

N/A

Key Progressions:

RB Bruce Dawson +4 (66, 2)
WR Anthony Larry +5 (76, 4)
DT Edward Mallory +6 (65, 5)
OLB Richard Davidson +4 (70, 3)
OG Mike Xiong -3 (81, 10)

Rookie to Watch:

OT Ryan Dunn

Overview:

Philip Avila and Scott Baldwin lit up the league last year, so the Rams brought in some veteran defenders via free agency to bolster that half of the team. Ousley and Poku should anchor the interior, with Williams and Newton joining CB Edward Rivera in a vastly improved defensive backfield.

Strengths:

Wide receiver
Offensive line
Linebacker

Weaknesses:

Safety

Outlook:

After a 12-win season, the Rams made big moves to address their remaining roster concerns and should be an obvious pick for a playoff spot in the NFC this year. If not for the Cardinals they could easily be a #2 or #3 seed…and they’ll get two chances at Arizona to wrest the division away from them.

 

Team: Seattle Seahawks
Last Year: 2-14-1 (3^rd in division)

Additions:

DT Gary Wheeler (73, 5)

Departures:

N/A

Key Progressions:

QB Luke Trahan +5 (60, 2)
OG Luis Cruz +5 (68, 3)
OLB Brandon Schroeder +6 (80, 3)
CB Daniel Mendoza +5 (69, 3)
WR Eric Palkovich -4 (76, 12)

Rookie to Watch:

DT Alejandro Rua

Overview:

The Seahawks took no chances this offseason, trading away a 3^rd round pick to move up from #4 to #1 and grab Rua. He and Wheeler should dominate the interior, while Brandon Schroeder (a stunning 80 OVR in only his 3^rd year) patrols the outside. The defensive backfield might be cause for concern, especially considering the two offenses we’ve just reviewed, but the front seven is solid.

Strengths:

Wide receiver / tight end
Linebacker

Weaknesses:

Offensive line
Defensive backfield

Outlook:

The Seahawks played Trahan at RB in their first preseason game, with rookie 3^rd round pick Kemoko Allard at QB. Whoever gets the job under center will have a challenge ahead, with excellent passing targets but a porous offensive line. And the Seahawks are unlucky to be a 2.5-win team with a 3^rd place schedule. But there’s nowhere to go but up for this young franchise.

 

Team: San Francisco 49ers
Last Year: 2-15 (4^th in division)

Additions:

N/A

Departures:

N/A

Key Progressions:

QB Russell Latimer +5 (59, 2)
WR Carlos Ramos +5 (63, 2)
OT Herman Knott +7 (75, 3)
OG Joseph Bordewyk +5 (83, 5)
CB Roger Swimmer +6 (63, 3)

Rookie to Watch:

WR Fernando Thomas

Overview:

The 49ers struggled mightily as Latimer took his lumps in a rough rookie season. The team had the 2^nd best average OVR growth over the off-season (3.08), but the offense has a long way to go before it’s going to be viable against most other NFL teams. At least the WR corps should be good in time, with 1^st round picks Carlos Ramos (’22) and Fernando Thomas (’23) growing together.

Strengths:

Linebacker

Weaknesses:

Quarterback
Offensive skill (RB/WR/TE)
Defensive line
Cornerback

Outlook:

Between the inexperience in their roster and the strength at the top of their division, the 49ers seem headed for a top-3 pick in next year’s draft. The good news is that the coaching staff are doing their job well, with young players making big strides in the offseason. If they can figure out the QB situation and make the most of those young receivers, maybe they can surprise a few teams this year.  

[Dr_Novella]

8 hours ago, Piercewise1 said:

the 49ers seem headed for a top-3 pick in next year’s draft.

Well uh, we traded that pick in order to get Thomas. Still! Great write up and I'm looking forward to slowly rebuilding the team over the next few seasons.