Last but not least, the NFC West still has some juice.
NFC West Preview
San Francisco 49ers (10.5 Wins, -190 NFC West, +400 NFC, +1000 SB)
Additions:
- Trade: Zane Gonzalez from CAR
- Free Agents: DE Clelin Ferrell, QB Sam Darnold, DT Javon Hargrave, OG Jon Feliciano, CB Isaiah Oliver
- Draft Class: S Ji’Ayir Brown (3rd), K Jake Moody (3rd), DE Robert Beal (5th), TE Cameron Latu (3rd), LB Dee Winters (6th), LB Jalen Graham (7th)
Departures: QB Jimmy Garoppolo (Raiders), S Jimmie Ward (Texans), CB Emmanuel Moseley (Lions), LB Azeez Al-Shaair (Titans), OT Mike McGlinchey (Broncos), CB Jason Verrett (FA), DT Hassan Ridgeway (Texans), DE Jordan Willis (Raiders), DT Maurice Hurst (Browns), K Robbie Gould (FA)
Coaching/Scheme: HC Kyle Shanahan returns to try to get that elusive ring. His Offense will be the same with Shanahan calling the plays while Chris Forester is the Passing Game Coordinator and Klint Kubiak is the Running Game Coordinator. I would expect the D changes only slightly with DC Steve Wilks on the call now that Demarco Ryans left for HOU. Both units were top flight in 2022.
Outlook: The 49ers are slightly less favored to win the NFC to PHI. QB Brock Purdy’s elbow seems to have healed in time for the season, so even though it is a competition between QB Sam Darnold and Trey Lance – Purdy seems to be the starter. I’m on record saying that if the 49ers went for Rodgers or another QB, then they would be the Super Bowl favorites. They can win a lot of games with Purdy, but not sure if they can win the title with him. That D is too good and the supporting cast on O is top flight.
Prediction: 13-4, 1st NFC West, 1 Seed NFC
Seattle Seahawks (8.5 Wins, +230 NFC West, +1400 NFC, +3300 SB)
Additions:
- Free Agents: C Evan Brown, DT Dre’Mont Jones, DT Jarran Reed, LB Devin Bush, S Julian Love, LB Bobby Wagner
- Draft Class: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (1st), CB Devon Witherspoon (1st), RB Zach Charbonnet (2nd), LB Derick Hall (2nd), OG Anthony Bradford (4th), DT Cameron Young (4th), DE Mike Morris (5th), C Olu Oluwatimi (5th), S Jerrick Reed (6th)
Departures: OG Gabe Jackson (FA), DE Quinton Jefferson (Jets), DE Shelby Harris (Browns), DE Bruce Irvin (FA), CB Teez Tabor (Colts), LB Cody Barton (Commanders), RB Rashad Penny (Eagles), S Johnathan Abram (Saints), DE LJ Collier (Cardinals)
Coaching/Scheme: HC Pete Carroll, the league’s oldest but highest energy coach, runs it back with the same guys – OC Shane Waldron who got the most out of that Offense and DC Clint Hurtt who harnessed that young D. With even more talent, both sides should actually improve.
Outlook: The Seahawks were on the verge of the playoffs in 2022. This squad has young talent and a passionate coach. If QB Geno Smith can come close to replicating his performance in 2022, then they should make the playoffs. I have them in playoffs at the time. The D was so good last year, so perhaps it is not sustainable. I think the NFC being weak helps them sneak in.
Prediction: 9-8, 2nd NFC West, 7 Seed NFC
Los Angeles Rams (6.5 Wins, +1000 NFC West, +3500 NFC, +8000 SB)
Additions:
- Free Agents: QB Brett Rypien,
- Draft Class: OG Steve Avila (2nd), LB Byron Young (3rd), DT Kobie Turner (3rd), QB Stetson Bennett (4th), OT Warren McClendon (5th), WR Puka Nacua (5th), RB Zach Evans (6th), CB Tre Tomlinson (6th), DE Desjuan Johnson (7th), P Ethan Evans (7th)
Departures: DE Leonard Floyd (Bills), DE TJ Carter (FA), OT Max Pircher (Lions), DT A’Shawn Robinson (Giants), CB David Long (Dolphins), S Taylor Rapp (Bills), QB Baker Mayfield (Bucs), CB Grant Haley (FA), OG Oday Aboushi (FA), LB Bobby Wagner (Seahawks), CB Troy Hill (FA), OT Chandler Brewer (Jags)
Coaching/Scheme: HC Sean McVay did not retire after all, and he gets OC Mike LaFleur from the Jets to help with the Offense. DC Raheem Morris returns. His D was good despite a terrible year last year for the team. I think overall the scheme will be close to the Super Bowl year.
Outlook: The Rams were the first Super Bowl winner in recent memory to fall on their face the next season. QB Matthew Stafford should be healthy, but the team has eroded after the Rams went all in in 2021. They still have some pieces in Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp and Stafford, but they are not the 3rd best team in the division. I think after another unsuccessful year, McVay will actually walk away this time.
Prediction: 5-12, 3rd NFC West, Miss Playoffs
Arizona Cardinals (4.5 Wins, +2500 NFC West, +8000 NFC, +20000 SB)
Additions:
- Free Agents: LB Kyzir White, DT Kevin Strong, WR Zach Pascal, DE LJ Collier, OG Hjalte Froholdt, LB Krys Barnes, LB Jos Woods, CB Rashad Fenton, OT Elijah Wilkinson, DE Carlos Watkins, CB Kris Boyd
- Draft Class: OT Paris Johnson (1st), LB BJ Ojulari (2nd), WR Michael Wilson (3rd), C Jon Gaines (4th), LB Owen Pappoe (5th), QB Clayton Tune (5th), CB Kei’Trel Clark (6th), DE Dante Stills (6th)
Departures: DE JJ Watt (Retired), OG Justin Pugh (FA), CB Byron Murphy (Vikings), LB Nick Vigil (Jets), C Sean Harlow (Giants), OG Max Garcia (Saints), DT Trysten Hill (Browns), C Billy Price (Saints), DE Zach Allen (Broncos), OT Cody Ford (Bengals), CB Josh Jackson (FA)
Coaching/Scheme: AZ fired Kliff Kingsbury, and now they hire the former Philly DC, Jonathan Gannon to be HC. His OC is Drew Petzing who coached under Kevin Stefanski in MIN and CLE. That’s heavy run and play action game, not Kyler Murray or AZ’s strong suit. Plus, there are trade rumors swirling for him. On D, Nick Rallis is the DC who follows Gannon from Philly. Now, the Philly D had an incredible D-Line, so not sure the system will translate to this undermanned group. Gannon relied very heavily on the front line pass rush, which he won’t have.
Outlook: The Cardinals are a team looking like a tank job. Sure, QB Kyler Murray is there, but the new scheme isn’t a great fit. Plus, Caleb Williams is the likely #1 Pick in the Draft. So, all signs point to the lowest season win total.
Prediction: 1-16, 4th NFC West, Miss Playoffs – #1 Pick
We did it. 8 Divisions down. Right before Week 1, I’ll put in my final records and full playoff predictions.
Wegs