[2024] Division Preview: NFC West

[Piercewise1]

NFC WEST

 

Team: Los Angeles Rams
Last Year: 15-2 (division winner)
Alexfall ranking: 7/32

Key Progressions:
DE William Poku +5 (77/6)
WR Anthony Larry +4 (80/5)
OLB Richard Davidson +4 (74/4)
CB Ramon Newton +4 (67/3)
OG Mike Xiong -3 (78/11)

Rookie to Watch:
RB Isaiah Rogers (56/A)

Overview:
Last year’s conference champions had a record-breaking offense, averaging 518 passing yards and 39 points per game. Philip Avila remains a top-end quarterback even in his 11^th season, with an enviable pair of speedy receivers in Larry and Scott Baldwin (79/7) ready to tear up defenses with an incoming scheme bonus. The defense is great across the board as well, led by star DE Richard Lucia (86/9)

Strengths:
Wide receiver
Offensive line

Weaknesses:
Safety

Prediction:
Division winner

The best competition in the NFC couldn’t stop the Rams last season, as they scored 104 points in three playoff games before losing to the Broncos in a Super Bowl shootout.  The offense looks deadly and the defense seems very good at worst, so expect the Rams to steamroll through their division on the way to a second title.

 

 

Team: Arizona Cardinals
Last Year: 14-3 (2^nd place)
Alexfall ranking: 18/32

Key Progressions:
OG Angel Loe +4 (70/3)
CB William Morin -3 (77/11)
SS Roy Bass -3 (76/11)
WR Franco Milton -3 (71/12)
WR Michael King -3 (71/12)

Rookie to Watch:
OT Tony Varvaro (B/B-)

Overview:
The Cardinals roster is in desperate need of a youth movement, with their four best offensive skill players combining for 42 years in the NFL. There’s value in that kind of veteran leadership, but it means Arizona’s competition window is closing rapidly. And both Milton and King are on Bonus-heavy contracts that make them nearly untradeable unless the front office is ready to sacrifice the rest of their limited cap space.

Strengths:
Running back

Weaknesses:
Linebacker
Cornerback

Prediction:
2^nd place

The roster is a far cry from the one that collected 14 regular season wins last year, due to the ongoing pressures of time and money. There is some great young talent in the mix, such as player #1 Angel Loe and last year’s 1^st round CB Adam Germen (60/B). If a veteran-heavy roster isn’t producing early, I imagine we could see a big change as some of these younger players move into starting roles to bolster their progression chances.  

 

 

Team: Seattle Seahawks
Last Year: 5-12 (3^rd in division)
Alexfall ranking: 29/32

Key Progressions:
DT Gary Wheeler +5 (78/6)
CB Daniel Mendoza +5 (74/4)
QB Kemoko Allard (62/2)
OLB Brandon Schroeder +4 (84/4)
WR Erik Palkovich -3 (73/13)

Rookie to Watch:
WR Joe Edmunds (58/A+)

Overview:
The Seahawks seem prepared to roll with Allard as their starter, hoping he can build on his 50% completion rate and 13-17 TD/INT ratio from last season. He has a solid receiving corps to work with, though he’d probably like a little more from that offensive line which currently contains only two starters of 70+ Overall. At least they have the best linebackers coach in the business, with Schroeder looking like a future Hall of Famer and Breshad Barnes (60/B-) being an absolute steal in the 6^th round.

Strengths:
Wide receiver
Linebacker

Weaknesses:
Quarterback
Offensive line

Prediction:
3^rd place

Seattle has a tough schedule for a 5-win team, going up against the AFC North and NFC North (along with the rest of their division) and a 17^th game against the Kansas City Chiefs. So while I like the direction this team is moving, it could require another year of patience from the fans before they see better results on the field. But with the Cardinals moving in the opposite direction, the Seahawks could surprise everyone and move up in the rankings.

 

Team: San Francisco 49ers
Last Year: 3-14 (4^th in division)
Alexfall ranking: 30/32

Key Progressions:
OT Rubby Stewart +5 (70/2)
WR Carlos Ramos +5 (68/3)
WR Fernando Thomas +5 (63/2)
OG Joseph Bordewyk +4 (87/6)
OLB Rodney Labell +4 (74/4)

Rookie to Watch:
QB Andrew Solano (56/B-)
DT Dante Gates (A/C-)

Overview:
The 1^st round trio of Solano, Thomas, and Ramos are sure to get fans talking, even if all three have a lot of developing to do. Rubby Stewart already looks like a star, and Dante Gates seems like a steal from the 4^th round this year. For a team that dealt away what ended up being the year’s #2 overall pick, this kind of scouting and draft prowess was a huge save.

Strengths:
Wide receiver
Offensive line

Weaknesses:
Defensive line
Cornerback

Prediction:
4^th place

The 49ers are slowly building a solid foundation for their team through the draft, augmented with some big splashes in free agency like the signing of Labell, and they have plenty of capital to continue doing both in the years to come. I know everything looks optimistic in the offseason before the first game results come in, but there’s reason for hope in San Francisco. I wouldn’t be surprised if the red and gold Solano jerseys are already flying off the shelves.  

[SageBow]

Fight for 2nd should be fierce. Seattle ascending, Arizona in a slight decline as their stars age. Maybe the 49ers and Solano shock us, who knows.