Written By: Parker Hall
Key Offseason Acquisitions and Departures: NFC West
In arguably the most competitive division in all of the NFL, there have been some major acquisitions and departures for all four NFC West teams in the 2020 off season, that will be sure to change the landscape of not only the division but the conference as a whole going forward. Now that the NFL has expanded the amount of teams that are able to make the playoffs each year, there is a good chance that we will see 3 teams from the NFC West all make the playoffs in the near future. I will go down the list of teams in alphabetical order, starting with the Arizona Cardinals.
Arizona Cardinals
Key Acquisitions:
– DeAndre Hopkins (WR)
– Isaiah Simmons (LB/S)
– Jordan Phillips (DL)
– De’Vondre Campbell (Edge/LB)
– Devon Kennard (Edge/LB)
Key Departures:
– David Johnson (RB)
– Brooks Reed (EDGE)
– Charles Clay (TE)
Summary:
The Arizona Cardinals are easily the most improved team in the division this off season in my opinion. They started off the new season with a blockbuster trade for DeAndre Hopkins, who is arguably the best receiver in the NFL. Hopkins joins legendary NFL receiver Larry Fitzgerald in a young receiving corps that includes young promising receivers Christian Kirk, Andy Isabella, and highly touted 2019 draft pick Hakeem Butler who is going to see his first NFL action after being injured for all of the 2019 season. The offense did lose star running back David Johnson in the Hopkins trade, but with injury problems and the acquisition of Kenyan Drake last season, I believe Kyler, Kliff, and the rest of the Cardinals offense will not miss a beat without Johnson. Charles Clay also departed the offense after one season with the Cardinals, however with the revival of Maxx Williams career, and the lesser value placed on the Tight End position in the Cardinals offense, he will not be missed either. On the defensive side of the ball, Vance Joseph gained three versatile linebackers to use this off season. Isaiah Simmons was arguably the best player in the NFL draft, and his versatility will help give the Cardinals a counter to Russell Wilson and George Kittle. I see De’vondre Campbell and Devon Kennard used as more of edge defenders in Vance Josephs defense, but they are also capable to play inside linebacker if need be. Finally, Jordan Phillips is a huge get for the Cardinals. Defensive Line is a weak spot on this team, and they added a guy who not only will stop the run but will also get sacks in Phillips.
Los Angeles Rams
Key Acquisitions:
– Leonard Floyd (Edge)
– Cam Akers (RB)
– A’Shawn Robinson (DL)
Key Departures:
– Todd Gurley (RB)
– Greg Zuerlein (K)
– Clay Matthews (Edge)
– Dante Fowler (Edge)
– Nickell Robey-Coleman (DB)
– Corey Littleton (LB)
Summary:
The 2020 offseason signified the start of a whole new era for the LA Rams. They will be moving into a new stadium, they have new uniforms, and the offseason transactions were focused around getting rid of bad contracts and trying to create cap space for the future. The Rams lost Dante Fowler and Clay Matthews on the edge, but they made up for those losses with the acquisition of Leonard Floyd, who will be paired as the edge rushers with Samson Ebukam, and this looks to be a solid young pairing coming off the edge of this defense. The Rams cut one of the better running backs in the league, Todd Gurley, but this move makes total sense as he has been battling injury problems over the last two years and was on a player friendly contract. They replaced him in the draft with Cam Akers, who was a solid running back for Florida State over the last few years. The Rams also lost Kicker Greg Zuerlein, Nickelback Nickell Robey-Coleman, and Inside Linebacker Corey Littleton, who are all arguably top 10 players at their positions, respectively. With these losses, I see the Rams as the worst team in this division, but hopefully a smart offseason of cutting their bad contracts will lead to a bright future.
San Francisco 49ers
Key Acquisitions:
– Trent Williams (OL)
– Javon Kinlaw (DL)
– Brandon Aiyuk (WR)
– Travis Benjamin (WR)
Key Departures:
– Deforest Buckner (DL)
– Emmanuel Sanders (WR)
Summary:
The Division leading San Francisco 49ers seemed to have taken another step forward this offseason, even after making it to the Superbowl in 2019. The also were able to make two the biggest headline trades this off season when dealing Deforest Buckner to the Colts and acquiring veteran offensive lineman Trent Williams from the Redskins. The Buckner trade raised my eyebrows as I believed he was their best defensive player, but it seems as if they did this so they could free up money to sign Arik Armstead and then replace him with Javon Kinlaw, a solid looking rookie coming out of South Carolina. On the morning of Day 2 of the NFL draft the 49ers traded for all-pro offensive lineman Trent Williams, who they hope after taking a year off from football will be able to anchor their offensive line and protect Jimmy Garoppolo’s blind side. The 49ers also lost veteran receiver Emmanuel Sanders to free agency, where he signed with the Saints. Sanders was a key mid-season pick up for the 49ers who helped get them to the Superbowl. To counteract the loss of Sanders, the 49ers picked up veteran slot receiver Travis Benjamin in free agency and drafted receiver Brandon Aiyuk out of Arizona State.
Seattle Seahawks
Key Acquisitions:
– Greg Olsen (TE)
– Bruce Irvin (Edge)
– Quinton Dunbar (DB)*
– Phillip Dorsett (WR)
Key Departures:
– Tedric Thompson (S)
– George Fant (OL)
– Germain Ifedi (OL)
– Ziggy Ansah (EDGE)
– Mychal Kendricks(LB)*
– Jadevon Clowney (EDGE)*
– Marshawn Lynch (RB)*
Summary:
For our final team of the NFC West division, you have probably noticed that I did something different and put asterixis (*) beside of a few players names and that is due to some uncertainties that are going on at the time of me writing this article (5/17/2020). First two of the players, Mychal Kendricks and Quinton Dunbar, are currently going through legal issues. I don’t want to comment on either issue as both are innocent until proven guilty by the law, however Dunbar is a big Defensive Back who fits the mold of what Pete Carroll likes in his secondary and Mychal Kendricks is a solid linebacker in his own right. Jadevon Clowney is currently a free agent and from what media reports say, teams are not signing him due to the lack of access to physicals that can be performed because of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Clowney could still end up a Seahawk by the time the 2020 season starts. Fan favorite running back Marshawn Lynch had been reported to be in talks with a contract extension with the Seahawks, however he is currently a free agent. I do not think it makes sense to bring back an aging lynch as he is passed his prime and you have a quality starter and backup in Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny already. On the other hand, I think it would be a great move to resign Jadevon Clowney. He is one of the NFL’s top Edge defenders and would be a huge asset to this team. The team has also departed with starters Tedric Thompson, George Fant, Germain Ifedi, and Ziggy Ansah, none of whom are game breakers, but I do see value in them as backups. Seattle has reunited with former draft pick Bruce Irvin, who will give a veteran presence to the locker room and will replace Ziggy Ansah. The also brought in veteran offensive players Greg Olsen and Phillip Dorsett to give Russell Wilson some added help on offense. I do not see Olsen and Dorsett being huge game changers, however they will be solid role players and contributors on this Seahawks team who currently is in the midst of an identity crises.
