NFC West Preview: The Next Generation
- iAmMizz!
- Sep 11, 2020
- 8 min read
Updated: Sep 14, 2020
In 2019, the NFC West was flipped on its head. The bruised and battered San Francisco 49ers of the last few seasons were finally healthy, and their studly group of prospects played cohesively on both sides of the ball under Kyle Shanahan's leadership. The 13-3 number one seed Niners represented the NFC in the Super Bowl, and had the lead for most of it before the Champion Kansas City Chiefs executed a fourth quarter comeback to perfection. Now San Francisco must attempt the long journey back to the big game, something that's always tough to do after losing it. The Los Angeles Rams know the feeling. They lost in the Super Bowl the year prior, and then finished a disappointing 2019 season on the outside of the playoff bracket at 9-7. The Arizona Cardinals had the opposite swing. They went from being the first overall pick in the draft to showing progress under rookie quarterback Kyler Murray and rookie head coach Kliff Kingsbury. The Cards finished last year's campaign at a very competitive 5-10-1. Finally, Pete Carroll's Seattle Seahawks quietly did what they do best, win football games. The Seahawks weren't necessarily expected to have a great season heading into 2019 (by some, including myself), but they finished about a half-yard short of an NFC number one seed in a Week 17 loss to the 49ers (11-5). This division is LOADED heading into 2020, so let's dive right in.
In case you want to look back on an article for more depth or information, provided are links to my 2020 NFL offseason free agency articles, 2020 NFL draft articles and more;
4. Los Angeles Rams (Projection: 6-10)
NightCap Free Agency Grade: D- (previously D)
IN- LB Leonard Floyd, DT A'Shawn Robinson, LT Andrew Whitworth (key re-sign)
OUT- RB Todd Gurley, S Eric Weddle (retired), LB Cory Littleton, CB Nickell Robey-Coleman, EDGE Dante Fowler, WR Brandin Cooks, EDGE Clay Matthews, QB Blake Bortles, LB Bryce Hager, RB John Kelly, S Marqui Christian, K Greg Zuerlein
OPT OUTS- None
LONG-TERM INJURIES- DT A'Shawn Robinson (week 10), LB Justin Lawler (IR)
NightCap NFL Draft Grade: B
KEY PICKS- RB Cam Akers, WR Van Jefferson, EDGE Terrell Lewis, S Terrell Burgess, TE Brycen Hopkins, K Sam Sloman, T Tremayne Anchrum, RB Raymond Calais (claimed off TB)
Final Offseason Grade: C-
It has been a harsh fall from grace for the Los Angeles Rams ever since Sean McVay's first season as head coach (which ended in the Super Bowl defeat at the hands of the New England Patriots). Management has just not handled the cap well at all, and it's completely decimated this roster. First they make the trade for an expensive contract in Brandin Cooks, who struggles to stay on the field after the 2018-19 season. Then they extend Todd Gurley long-term, just before his career-altering knee injury. Finally, after numerous other veteran deals, they trade for Jalen Ramsey last year in one final "all-in" type move. Mistake after mistake, aside from Ramsey who's LA story has yet to truly unfold (although he did recently get paid $71.2 million in guaranteed money and a possible $105 mill over five seasons). The Rams just don't seem to learn, too many star contracts can destroy the fabric of a well-balanced roster. They are also broke due to their expensive new stadium, and rumor is they had to release Gurley and veteran edge rusher Clay Matthews just to avoid paying them their signing bonuses. The Matthews cut made sense, but in order to part ways with Gurley the franchise had to eat over $17 mill in cap space. Cap space that the Rams desperately needed to fill other holes, like on its offensive line, or in its secondary. Even in an injured state, Gurley was surely worth keeping around for one more season, rather than wasting all of that space. That list of departures above is stacked up with big names, and there's a reason for that, none of these role players were offered enough money to stay (either that or they were traded or cut to save money). LA did draft pretty well, and a bunch of these rookies may be asked to play large roles pretty quickly (Akers, Jefferson, Burgess and Sloman), but it's not enough in a division this competitive. Besides Aaron Donald and the aforementioned Ramsey, this defense is a bunch of no-names, and although the offense looks better, the O-Line is bad enough to ruin the entire unit. It may not be as sunny as usual in LA this Fall.
3. Arizona Cardinals (Projection: 9-7, WC)
NightCap Free Agency Grade: B (previously B+)
IN- WR DeAndre Hopkins, LB Devon Kennard, LB De'Vondre Campbell, DT Jordan Phillips, CB Dre Kirkpatrick, T Kelvin Beachum, DT Angelo Blackson, CB B.W. Webb, TE Jordan Thomas, RB Kenyan Drake (key re-sign)
OUT- RB David Johnson, WR Damiere Byrd, TE Charles Clay, C A.Q. Shipley, WR Pharoh Cooper, DE Jonathan Bullard, EDGE Cassius Marsh, EDGE Brooks Reed, WR Hakeem Butler, LB Joe Walker, DT Zach Kerr, DT Clinton McDonald, T Jordan Mills
OPT OUTS- T Marcus Gilbert
LONG-TERM INJURIES- CB Robert Alford (IR), KeeSean Johnson (Covid)
NightCap NFL Draft Grade: B+
KEY PICKS- S/LB Isaiah Simmons, T Josh Jones, DT Leki Fotu, DT Rashard Lawrence, LB Evan Weaver, RB Eno Benjamin
Final Offseason Grade: B
The grade takes a late knock-down from B+ to B as right tackle Marcus Gilbert opts out, and nickel corner Robert Alford suffers a possible season-ending injury. Arizona acted quickly to acquire band-aids in both cases though; Kelvin Beachum as an experienced tackle to start until rookie Josh Jones is ready, and Dre Kirkpatrick and B.W. Webb to supply corner depth behind Patrick Peterson and Byron Murphy. The headline-making move for Cardinals fans came on day one of free agency however, when they acquired star wide-out DeAndre Hopkins from the Houston Texans. The price tag was not even that high to get D-Hop, well not initially anyway. The wide receiver just signed a two-year extension the other day for a possible $54.5 million. That's quarterback money by the way, and it explains why the Texans gave him up for so little. Aside from Hopkins (and Kenyan Drake agreeing to return), Arizona finally focused on their defense for once. Four of their six draft picks were made to improve the defensive depth, including their first rounder which was spent on hybrid playmaker Isaiah Simmons. The Clemson star can play linebacker, safety and corner (both outside and nickel), and he should be extremely valuable for this Cardinals' D that lacks star power (besides Peterson and Chandler Jones). Kennard and Campbell also join the much improved linebacker core in free agency, and Jordan Phillips will start on the D-Line. Assuming Kyler Murray takes the next step, this Arizona team should be back in the playoff mix in 2020.
2. Seattle Seahawks (Projection: 10-6, WC)
NightCap Free Agency Grade: C+ (previously C)
IN- S Jamal Adams, CB Quinton Dunbar, TE Greg Olsen, EDGE Benson Mayowa, RB Carlos Hyde, WR Phillip Dorsett, LB Bruce Irvin, T Brandon Shell, C B.J. Finney, WR Josh Gordon (key re-sign), G Mike Iupati (key re-sign)
OUT- EDGE Jadeveon Clowney, LB Mychal Kendricks, S Bradley McDougald, T George Fant, C Justin Britt, G D.J. Fluker, T Germain Ifedi, EDGE Ezekiel Ansah, RB Marshawn Lynch (retired), TE Ed Dickson, DT Quinton Jefferson, DT Nazair Jones, S Tedric Thompson, RB C.J. Prosise, WR Jaron Brown, CB Akeem King
OPT OUTS- G Chance Warmack
LONG-TERM INJURIES- T Cedric Ogbuehi (week 2), RB Rashaad Penny (week 8), G Phil Haynes (week 4)
NightCap NFL Draft Grade: D+
KEY PICKS- LB Jordyn Brooks, EDGE Darrell Taylor, G Damien Lewis, EDGE Alton Robinson, TE Colby Parkinson, RB DeeJay Dallas
Final Offseason Grade: C
Seattle may have saved their offseason by trading for star safety Jamal Adams during the beginning of camp, but they also sacrificed their future. 2021 and '22 first rounders gone, not to mention a 2021 third rounder. If they don't win another Super Bowl soon, it may set them back a ways as it will take the Seahawks awhile to rebuild that sort of draft capital. Their first offseason trade almost blew up in their face even worse, after acquired corner Quinton Dunbar was involved in an armed robbery charge most of the Summer. Dunbar was eventually exonerated, and then cleared for Week 1, but will he be ready to play after missing a ton of preseason? You can't blame Seattle for being aggressive though. They were less aggressive in free agency, losing out on free agents Clowney, Kendricks, Fant, Ifedi and Ansah, while electing to release former starting O-Linemen Britt and Fluker. This offensive line has never been good, but set to start Brandon Shell, Ethan Pocic, and rookie Damien Lewis beside returnees Duane Brown and Iupati, it could be worse than ever when they face the Atlanta Falcons Week 1. Mayowa and 2019 first rounder L.J. Collier will likely be asked to replace Clowney and Ansah on D, with rookies filtering in and out when needed. Finally, the offense gets a boost as Josh Gordon re-signs late (if he's cleared to play), and veterans Carlos Hyde, Phillip Dorsett and Greg Olsen sign earlier in the offseason. For all the many moving pieces over the last few months, I feel the Seahawks remained just about as talented as last season. At the end of the day though, you can usually rely on Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll to get the job done.
1. San Francisco 49ers (Projection: 12-4)
NightCap Free Agency Grade: D+ (previously C-)
IN- T Trent Williams, TE Jordan Reed, OL Tom Compton, WR Tavon Austin, DE Kerry Hyder, G Spencer Long, DT Arik Armstead (key re-sign), CB Jason Verrett (key re-sign)
OUT- DT DeForest Buckner, T Joe Staley (retired), RB Matt Breida, WR Emmanuel Sanders, WR Marquise Goodwin, DT Sheldon Day, DE Anthony Zettel, TE Levine Toilolo, TE Garrett Celek (retired), G Mike Person, LB Elijah Lee
OPT OUTS- WR Travis Benjamin, T Shon Coleman
LONG-TERM INJURIES- WR Deebo Samuel (week 2), CB Jason Verrett (week 2), C Weston Richburg (week 8), DE Ronald Blair (week 8), WR Tavon Austin (week 4), WR Jalen Hurd (IR)
NightCap NFL Draft Grade: C-
KEY PICKS- DT Javon Kinlaw, WR Brandon Aiyuk, T Colton McKivitz
Final Offseason Grade: C-
All things considered, this offseason could have gone much worse for San Francisco. They had a large number of key free agents and were able to re-sign a majority of them. Arik Armstead, Jimmie Ward and Jason Verrett (who missed time with injury last season) are all back for this star-studded defense. The one major departure? DeForest Buckner. The Niners decided to trade Buckner, knowing that they would not be able to afford him long-term, and then they used the first round pick they got back to directly replace him (with Javon Kinlaw). The immediate effect will of course be negative. A rookie's impact (even at it's best) cannot replace Buckner, but long-term Kinlaw should suffice. San Francisco GM John Lynch also had to deal with Joe Staley's retirement, which was sprung on him just before the draft. He was also able to take care of this problem swiftly, by trading for Trent Williams and drafting Colton McKivitz. Finally, the 49ers were able to replace Sanders with first round draft pick Brandon Aiyuk. The C- mark might represent a slight downgrade for San Francisco, but it's more or less the same roster competing for another chance at a Super Bowl. The more concerning problem has been that the injury bug has hit the Niners this Summer. Deebo Samuel is almost ready to return from his foot injury, but the franchise has also lost their center and numerous depth pieces including Aiyuk who's questionable for Week 1. For a fan base that has been left heartbroken by injuries in the past, a list this long is always concerning, but so far San Fran still has the talent available to win the West.
This division should be intense, with many narrow head-to-head finishes, but in the end I only have the Rams and Cardinals flip-flopping in the standings, and not much else changing. I was big on the 49ers as a dark horse last Summer, and so long as they stay healthy I still believe that they have the deepest roster in the NFC West. I do have the Seahawks still making the playoffs as a wildcard, as well as the Cardinals sneaking into the additional seventh spot on a tiebreak over the Eagles. This would yield three teams from the NFC West in 2020. Whatever happens, this division will be real fun to watch as the next generation of these Western powers battle it out.
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