NFC WEST OUTLOOK
49ers
COACH: Kyle Shanahan (8th year)
LAST SEASON: 12-5, first place; Super Bowl runner-up
ARRIVALS: QB Josh Dobbs (Vikings), DE Leonard Floyd (Bills), DL Yetur Gross-Matos (Panthers), DT Maliek Collins (Texans), DT Jordan Elliott (Browns), LB De’Vondre Campbell (Packers), CB Isaac Yiadom (Saints), TE Logan Thomas (Commanders), TE Eric Saubert (Texans), LB Zeke Turner (Cardinals), OT Brandon Parker (Raiders), OT Chris Hubbard (Titans), CB Rock Ya-Sin (Ravens), WR Trent Taylor (Bears), WR Ricky Pearsall (first round), CB Renardo Green (second round), RB Isaac Guerendo (third round)
DEPARTURES: DT Arik Armstead (Jaguars), QB Sam Darnold (Vikings), DE Clelin Ferrell (Commanders), WR Ray-Ray McCloud (Falcons), TE Charlie Woerner (Falcons), TE Ross Dwelley (Falcons), LB Oren Burks (Eagles), DE Chase Young (Saints), DT Javon Kinlaw (Jets), DE Randy Gregory (Bucs), CB Isaiah Oliver (Jets)
ANALYSIS: The 49ers are coming off another close-but-no-coronation season, and their offense returns intact after producing the franchise’s third-most points ever in a season. … Brock Purdy enters his second full season as the starting quarterback, having set the franchise record with 4,280 yards en route to the Pro Bowl. … Christian McCaffrey looks to mimic Joe “The Jet” Perry in 1953-54 and win a second straight NFL rushing crown. … Nick Sorensen takes over as coordinator of a defense still led by Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, but that unit needs newcomers such as Floyd, Gross-Matos, Collins, Campbell, Green, and Yiadom to reach championship-caliber status. … In the end, the 49ers must finish strong, hold onto a fourth-quarter (or even overtime) lead, then hoist their first Lombardi Trophy in 30 years.
PREDICTED FINISH: 14-3, Super Bowl champions (36-23 over Chargers)
Los Angeles Rams
COACH: Sean McVay (8th year)
LAST SEASON: 10-7, second place; lost in NFC wild-card game
ARRIVALS: DE Jared Verse (first round), DT Braden Fiske (second round), RB Blake Corum (third round), QB Jimmy Garoppolo (Raiders), G Jonah Jackson (Lions), S Kamren Curl (Commanders), CB Tre’Davious White (Bills), CB Darious Williams (Jaguars), TE Colby Parkinson (Seahawks)
DEPARTURES: DT Aaron Donald (retired), S Jordan Fuller (Panthers), OL Brian Allen (Browns), OL Coleman Shelton (Bears), QB Carson Wentz (Chiefs), WR Brent Skowronek (Texans), K Brett Maher (free agent), CB Ahkello Witherspoon (free agent), DT Jonah Williams (Vikings)
ANALYSIS: The Rams overcame a 3-6 start to win seven of eight before bowing out 24-23 in the wild-card round at Detroit. … Defensively, the Rams responded to Aaron Donald’s retirement by spending their top two draft picks on Florida State linemen Jared Verse and Braden Fiske. .. As valuable as Matthew Stafford is as their Super Bowl-winning quarterback, Kyren Williams ran for 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns last year, and Michigan’s Corum will back him up. … The Rams’ receiving corps can be lethal with Super Bowl LVI MVP Cooper Kupp and 2023 rookie phenom Puka Nacua.
PREDICTED FINISH: 10-7, second place
Seattle
COACH: Mike Macdonald (1st year)
LAST SEASON: 9-8, third place
ARRIVALS: G Laken Tomlinson (Jets), QB Sam Howell (Commanders), LB Jerome Baker (Dolphins), S Rayshawn Jenkins (Jaguars), LT George Fant (Texans), WR Laviska Shenault (Panthers), TE Pharaoh Brown (Pats), C Nick Harris …read more
Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
