NFC West Department preview
2024 predicted order of end, file
San Francisco 49ers (12-5)
The 49ers have numerous playmakers and signed “hold-in” WR Brandon Aiyuk to an extension. However LT Trent Williams stays a holdout and with out him the road may no longer give Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle, Aiyuk and Co. sufficient time to make performs. Will the 49ers regress after shedding (once more) to the Chiefs within the Tremendous Bowl?
Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
With WR Cooper Kupp returning, the Rams have probably the most perfect receiving tandems within the league with Puka Nacua, who used to be the runner-up for Offensive Rookie of the 12 months ultimate season. RB Kyren Williams additionally had a breakout season in 2023, giving QB Matthew Stafford numerous choices. One huge concern: the Rams have to switch retired three-time Defensive Participant of the 12 months Aaron Donald.
Seattle Seahawks (8-9)
For the primary time since 2009, any person rather than Pete Carroll shall be calling the photographs in Seattle. Former Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald fills his sneakers, hoping to redesign a protection that completed twenty fifth in issues allowed every of the previous two seasons. Veteran QB Geno Smith stays on the controls, with a brand new OC in Ryan Grubb.
Arizona Cardinals (6-11)
After shedding 8 in their first 9 video games ultimate season with QB Kyler Murray sidelined through a torn ACL, the Cardinals went 3-5 after he returned. First-round select WR Marvin Harrison Jr. offers Arizona a No. 1 receiver it has lacked since Larry Fitzgerald retired.
–NFC West most sensible MVP applicants
RB Christian McCaffrey
If McCaffrey is not the primary select in each myth draft, one thing is fallacious. He rushed for 1,459 yards and 14 TDs within the common season ultimate 12 months, plus stuck 67 passes for 564 and 7 extra rankings when he used to be 0.33 in MVP voting. Then he had 5 extra postseason TDs in main the 49ers to the Tremendous Bowl, which they misplaced to Kansas Town in OT. A calf pressure saved him out of maximum of coaching camp and all the preseason video games.
QB Brock Purdy
Purdy used to be fourth within the MVP voting ultimate season, in the back of Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson, Buffalo’s Josh Allen and teammate Christian McCaffrey. The previous Mr. Inappropriate from the 2022 draft proved his rookie season used to be no fluke, regardless of coming off UCL surgical treatment ultimate 12 months. He finished 69.4% of his passes for 4,280 yards and 31 TDs within the common season.
QB Kyler Murray
Desire a dark-horse candidate for MVP? Murray used to be a number one contender in 2021 ahead of fading overdue, then suffered a grotesque ACL harm in 2022. The Cardinals led the league in general offense after he returned from the harm in Week 10 ultimate season, with 414.3 yards according to sport.
–NFC West breakout avid gamers
49ers CB Deommodore Lenoir
Began all 17 video games ultimate season, breaking apart 10 passes and intercepting 3 whilst enjoying each outdoor and within the slot. Has stepped forward every 12 months and has numerous motivation as he enters the general season of his rookie contract.
49ers S Ji’Ayir Brown
The third-round pick of Penn State performed in 15 video games as a rookie ultimate season, recording 35 tackles. Brown did not get started till Talanoa Hufanga used to be sidelined with an harm, however is indexed because the beginning unfastened protection heading into the 2024 marketing campaign.
Rams edge Byron Younger
The 2023 third-round select began 16 of 17 video games ultimate season and completed 8th in Defensive Rookie of the 12 months balloting. He had 61 tackles ultimate season, together with 8 sacks. He will wish to building up that output with DT Aaron Donald having retired.
Rams DB Quentin Lake
The third-year participant, the son of four-time Professional Bowl variety Carnell Lake, used to be voted a captain through his teammates, an honor his dad did not get till his tenth season. Lake stuffed the nickel defender position Jalen Ramsey in the past held ultimate season, however can duvet the slot or function a security.
Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Smith-Njigba were given off to a gradual get started as a rookie ultimate 12 months, partly on account of a fractured wrist suffered within the preseason. He nonetheless completed with 63 receptions for 628 yards and 4 TDs and new trainer Mike Macdonald has known as him a “huge piece” in first-year coordinator Ryan Grubb’s machine.
Seahawks DT Byron Murphy II
The second one defensive participant taken within the 2024 draft at No. 16 general, the 300-pound rookie must lend a hand Seattle stem the fighters’ operating sport. He will be a large a part of new trainer Mike Macdonald’s rotation at the D-line.
Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
The fourth general select within the 2024 draft out of Ohio State brings extra than simply just right genes. He used to be the 2023 Fred Biletnikoff winner as faculty soccer’s most sensible receiver. He will be the No. 1 receiver the Playing cards had been lacking since Larry Fitzgerald retired.
Cardinals OL Paris Johnson Jr.
After enjoying all 17 video games at proper take on ultimate season as a rookie, the 2023 6th general pick of Ohio State shall be transferring to the left finish of the road to offer protection to Kyler Murray’s blind facet. He will have giant sneakers to fill as D.J. Humphries, Johnson’s mentor, used to be launched after 9 seasons.
Week 1 outlook
Cardinals at Expenses, Sunday, Sept. 8, 1 p.m. ET
The Cardinals have a difficult opening matchup at the street, although a minimum of it should not be snowing at Highmark Stadium. The Expenses have gained the AFC East in every of the previous 4 years, however might be challenged this time as that they had moderately the roster turnover within the offseason, with QB Josh Allen shedding his most sensible two objectives in Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis.
Broncos at Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 8, 4:05 p.m. ET
Consider a few years in the past when the Broncos opened at Seattle in Russell Wilson’s first sport in orange and blue? Seattle gained that one 17-16. Wilson is already long past, with the Broncos turning the reins over to rookie Bo Nix out of Oregon, the 14th other starter at QB for the Broncos since Peyton Manning retired after Tremendous Bowl 50.
Rams at Lions, Sunday, Sept. 8, 8:20 p.m. ET
After successful their first department name in 30 years ultimate season, the Lions led San Francisco through 17 issues within the 0.33 quarter of the NFC Championship sport ahead of faltering. That are meant to give the Lions numerous motivation in 2024. Rams QB Matthew Stafford, previously of the Lions, can flash his Tremendous Bowl ring at Lions QB Jared Goff, previously of the Rams.
Jets at 49ers, Monday, Sept. 9, 8:15 p.m. ET
Jets QB Aaron Rodgers, a Bay House local, calls it a comeback at age 40 after lacking all however 4 offensive snaps in 2023 on account of a torn Achilles. The Jets’ protection must be sturdy with CB Sauce Gardner and DL Quinnen Williams, however they are going to have their fingers complete with the 49ers’ a couple of objectives.
–Box Degree Media
