The NFC West might feature two of the best teams in the conference with the loaded Seahawks and 49ers.
Perhaps the Eagles remain the top team in the NFC, but the 49ers got better with the addition of former Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave. The Seahawks might be serious contenders also after adding a top free-agent defensive tackle, too, in Dre’Mont Jones and possibly delivering another memorable draft class.
But it’s way too soon to worry about the NFC playoff picture. First, the 49ers and Seahawks need to clash in the NFC West.
The Rams and Cardinals aren’t in the class of the Seahawks and 49ers, but perhaps one will become a surprise team in 2023. (But probably not with the Cardinals being a whopping +2425 to win the NFC West.)
But before we make playoff predictions, let’s rank how we see the NFC West rosters from worst to best.
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4. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals might have surpassed the Bears and Texans for having the worst roster in the NFL. It might also be the strangest roster setup in the league.
Their position holes are deep at cornerback, edge rusher and interior defensive line, but they are crowded at wide receiver and offensive tackle.
With their first pick, the Cardinals selected Ohio State’s Paris Johnson Jr., possibly the best tackle prospect in the draft, but he’ll probably be forced to play guard during his rookie season because the team is pleased with the play of left tackle D.J. Humphries and right tackle Kelvin Beachum. Also, the Cardinals’ receiving corps has a handful of playmakers with Marquise Brown, Rondale Moore, Greg Dortch, rookie Michael Wilson and DeAndre Hopkins, who might no longer be on the trading block. Also, tight end Zach Ertz is back for his 11th NFL season.
But the Cardinals will likely have quarterback Colt McCoy starting most of the season with Kyler Murray recovering from the torn ACL he sustained in December. Murray probably won’t play in 2023 if the Cardinals are as bad as many are predicting them to be, which would cause plenty of intrigue in the ’24 draft if they land a top-two pick with Caleb Williams and Drake Maye possibly being available.
As of now, safety Budda Baker remains on the roster, despite his requesting a trade this offseason. If the Cardinals lose Baker, they might also be the worst defensive unit in the NFL, but the next team on this ranking has a strong case.
3. Los Angeles Rams
Name two defensive players on the Rams’ roster besides Aaron Donald. (And, no, Jalen Ramsey, Leonard Floyd and Bobby Wagner are no longer in Los Angeles.)
Donald will be surrounded by plenty of inexperience on the field this season because of the player exodus that created $74.2 million in dead money. The starting defense will feature many first- and second-year players, including promising cornerback Cobie Durant, the 2022 fourth-round pick who flashed last year with three interceptions. The Rams prioritized the defensive line during Day 2 of this year’s draft with edge rusher Byron Young and defensive tackle Kobie Turner, two rookies who will likely be counted on to make an immediate impact.
The offense has some familiar faces with quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Cooper Kupp, but the offensive line might be an issue again. But the additions of guards Steve Avila, this year’s second-round pick, and Logan Bruss, last year’s third-round pick, will increase the competition and add depth. Bruss missed all of his rookie season after tearing his ACL during the preseason, the first of many injuries on the offensive line last season.
Van Jefferson has flashed as a quality No. 2 wideout, but he’ll need to prove he can stay healthy and be a consistent playmaker during a contract season. This will also be a pivotal season for wide receiver Tutu Atwell, the 2021 second-round pick who has struggled to find his footing.
After leaving Sean McVay’s dog house, running back Cam Akers ended the 2022 season on a strong note with three consecutive games of at least 100 rushing yards. Akers, who has one year left on his rookie deal, was sent home for nearly a month last season for coaching differences with McVay.
The Rams have a strong core group with Stafford, Kupp and Donald, but it might be another long season because of the lack of experience across the depth chart.
The Rams have a strong core group with Stafford, Kupp and Donald, but it might be another long season because of the lack of experience across the depth chart.
2. Seattle Seahawks
A year ago, many were overlooking the Seahawks the same way this writer and many others are currently doing with the Cardinals and Rams. Anything is possible in the NFL, including Geno Smith operating one of the best offenses in the league.
Smith will look to build off his comeback 2022 season, which should help the Seahawks contend with the 49ers in the NFC West and possibly against the Eagles, Cowboys and Lions for the conference. That’s how much has changed since Seattle traded Russell Wilson to Denver. Also, the Seahawks used the Broncos’ No. 5 pick this year to draft cornerback Devon Witherspoon, giving them a standout cornerback duo with last year’s rookie sensation, Tariq Woolen.
The Seahawks added playmakers in all phases of the defense, including the free-agent signing of Jones, who had a breakout season in Denver last year with 6.5 sacks—another Denver assist to Seattle. They also return defensive tackle Jarran Reed and Wagner. But the Seahawks lack depth at edge rusher and have many unproven players in the front seven. As for the back end, it might be one of the best if safety Jamal Adams stays healthy and regains his top form.
Smith will have plenty of targets, including wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, this year’s No. 20 pick. The rookie from Ohio State is known for his route running and knack for quickly getting open, which could complement downfield threats DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. Seattle also drafted running back Zach Charbonnet to form a rugged backfield with Kenneth Walker III.
This group of skill players might compare to the No. 1 team on this roster rankings.
1. San Francisco 49ers
Cary Edmondson/USA TODAY Sports
The 49ers are loaded offensively with the trio of tight end George Kittle, wide receiver Deebo Samuel and running back Christian McCaffrey, who ignited the team after being traded by the Panthers halfway through the 2022 season.
The 49ers are loaded offensively with the trio of tight end George Kittle, wide receiver Deebo Samuel and running back Christian McCaffrey, who ignited the team after being traded by the Panthers halfway through the 2022 season.
Also, wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings and running back Elijah Mitchell provide depth and are proven playmakers. Left tackle Trent Williams remains one of the best at his position, but there’s some uncertainty at right tackle with Colton McKivitz in line to take over for Mike McGlinchey, who departed to Denver in free agency.
As for a bigger question mark, quarterback Brock Purdy might not be ready for the start of the season after undergoing surgery on his throwing arm, which will likely lead to a fierce camp battle between Sam Darnold and Trey Lance, the unproven 2021 No. 3 pick.
The defense lost a few key players in free agency, but those departures were offset by the splash arrival of Hargrave, the former Pro Bowler of the Eagles. The 49ers probably have the best front seven in the league with Hargrave, Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead, Dre Greenlaw and Fred Warner. But they’ll need Drake Jackson and Clelin Ferrell to develop into reliable pass rushers to assist Bosa, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.
San Francisco drafted safety Ji’Ayir Brown in the third round to add to a secondary that features cornerback Charvarius Ward and safety Talanoa Hufanga, a 2022 first-team All-Pro.
As for another area of intrigue, the 49ers drafted Jake Moody in the third round to possibly be their starting kicker. If the 49ers get quality quarterback play from the to-be-determined starter, this loaded roster might not need a rookie kicker to win many one-score games.
