I mean this is getting out of hand.
Monday’s news saw the NFC West, an already loaded division, gain another star. J.J. Watt’s signing with the Arizona Cardinals has the rest of the league once again buzzing about the division being the most talented in all of football.
With league-leading talent at cornerback, defensive tackle, linebacker, wide receiver, and quarterback, the NFC West truly has a case to be one of the greatest divisions ever.
Let’s assemble an All-Star team of NFC West talent and see if it could live up to the hype.
*Denotes upcoming free agents.
Offensive Skill Positions
QB: Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
An easy pick, Wilson’s deep ball and intangibles make him a top 5 QB in football and easily the best QB here. He is one of the most prolific improvisers in the league, as Seattle’s entire offense is predicated on how Wilson plays when the plan falls apart. Only a select few quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Deshaun Watson have that same instinct. It should be noted that Cardinals QB Kyler Murray is a top 10 QB and will likely reach Wilson’s level in the next few years, but for now Wilson reigns supreme out west.
*RB: Chris Carson, Seattle Seahawks
One of the only positions in the division that is lacking a Pro Bowl starter, Seahawks RB Chris Carson is the most accomplished starting running back in the division. Racking up multiple 1,000-yard seasons, Carson is a bruising running back that never shies from contact. Honorable mentions to this spot include 49ers’ RB Raheem Mostert and Rams RB Cam Akers.
WR1: DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals
One of the best go-to options in the league, Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins has been a household name and top receiver in the NFL for the better part of the last decade. Top 3 right now, Hopkins is a crisp route-runner with some of the surest hands the NFL has ever seen. Exhibit A: “The Hail Murray.”
WR2: D.K. Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks
A true physical specimen, D.K. Metcalf has bullied his way into the league hierarchy of receivers in just his sophomore season. Finishing with over 1,300 yards in 2020, Metcalf has been one of the premier deep ball threats in the league. While his route-running has improved significantly, the young WR is just scratching the surface on what is looking like a promising career.
“That he a big ass dude who can move like that.” — Former Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch when asked what surprised him about Metcalf.
TE: George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
George Kittle needs no introduction. He is easily the best tight end in the NFC and the second-best in the league at that, competing with only Darren Waller of the Raiders and Travis Kelce of the Chiefs. Kittle has deceiving speed and agility for a player of his size and is one of the only TEs in the NFL that can consistently wipe out your best nickel corner or LB in a 1-on-1 matchup.
Flex: Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
One of the savviest route-runners in the NFL, Kupp would be the perfect slot receiver to fit in with Metcalf and Hopkins, both of which are vertical threats. Although Kupp lacks size, he makes up for it with great run-after-catch instincts. Rams head coach Sean McVay summed Kupp’s reputation up best after a 220-yard performance in 2019:
“I can remember even in the rookie mini-camp where you are just saying, ‘this guy is a great football player’. That’s what he has been for the last three years.” — Rams HC Sean McVay.
He beats out fellow Ram Robert Woods and 49ers star Deebo Samuel for the flex spot in this NFC West All-Star team.
Offensive Line
To be blunt, this is not a relatively strong group. With only one Pro-Bowler in the division on the O line, it is the worst position group on this list. If this team were to go up against the AFC Pro Bowl starters this year, Russell Wilson would indeed be scrambling all over again. He’d only have one offensive linemen with a Pro Bowl nod in 2020 (Trent Williams), but other than that this line is either young or frankly nothing special. Look for this team to run the ball to the right, as rookie guard Damien Lewis and tackle Mike McGlinchey are both solid run blockers.
*LT: Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers
LG: Justin Pugh, Arizona Cardinals
*C: Austin Blythe, Los Angeles Rams
RG: Damien Lewis, Seattle Seahawks
RT: Mike McGlinchey, San Francisco 49ers
Defense
EDGE: Nick Bosa, San Francisco 49ers
Missing most of his second season in the league due to injury, Nick Bosa showed us all he needed to in his rookie year with the 49ers. He has a blend of speed and power in his pass rush style and is one of those guys who seems to get stronger as the game goes on. Earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and propelling the Niners to Super Bowl 54 in the 2019 season, Bosa is clearly one of the best edge rushers in the NFL.
EDGE: Chandler Jones, Arizona Cardinals
In a close battle between Jones and J.J. Watt, Jones wins based on his recent success. Although he missed 11 games in 2020 and just didn’t look healthy, he has been dominant over the last five years. As a Cardinal, 2020 was his only season not playing all 16 games, and in seasons where he wasn’t injured, he has averaged 15 (!!!) sacks per season with Arizona. In comparison, Watt has dealt with his share of injuries throughout the last couple of years and is a lot streakier in his performance than Jones. That being said, Watt is a legend and could go in this spot just as well.
DT: Aaron Donald, Los Angeles Rams
The best player in the division hands down and probably the entire league is none other than reigning Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald. 2020 marked the 3rd time he has won the award, putting him in the same prestigious category as J.J. Watt and Lawrence Taylor in talks of all-time great defenders. He is constantly able to create pressure up the middle despite double teams and is one of the greatest pass rushers this league has ever seen. AD99 has value that cannot be reproduced, and for that reason, he is the crown jewel of this NFC West squad.
“I played against Reggie White, I played against Lawrence Taylor…and I gotta tell you, this Aaron Donald is the best defensive player that I’ve ever seen. — Hall of Fame QB Troy Aikman.
DT: Jarran Reed, Seattle Seahawks
Jarran Reed has been one of the more underrated interior linemen in the NFL over the last few years. While he isn’t a premier pass rusher like the other guys on this prestigious D line, Reed has had a 10+ sack season in the last 3 years and it came when he played with a top pass rusher in Frank Clark. If he played alongside a trio of Jones, Donald, and Bosa, I’d wager his play would elevate as well.
CB1: Jalen Ramsey, Los Angeles Rams
The best cornerback in the NFL, Jalen Ramsey is a force to be reckoned with. Playing just 5 seasons, Ramsey has been named to 4 Pro Bowls and has 2 All-Pro nods to go along with it. Although he is one of the biggest trash talkers in the NFL, he has the play to back it up and consistently locks up the best receivers in the league. Just ask Hopkins and Metcalf.
*CB2: Jason Verrett, San Francisco 49ers
I know. Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson and 49ers CB Richard Sherman are far more impressive career-wise, but both have been looking worse and worse as they have aged. They have each lost a step and have been burnt in key situations, with Sherman losing a 1-on-1 matchup in Super Bowl 54 that may have cost them the game. Verrett, however, stepped in for the injured Sherman multiple times in 2020 and posted a fantastic season. He held his own consistently against number one options on opposing offenses. While Rams CB Darious Williams also had a breakout year, Verrett must be recognized here as he took the field without a top corner like Jalen Ramsey to play opposite of.
LB: Bobby Wagner, Seattle Seahawks
One of the best linebackers to ever play the game, Bobby Wagner is a true swiss army knife at MLB. He stepped up to be the vocal leader of the Seahawks’ D after the legendary Legion of Boom dismantled and has been playing at an elite level since being drafted in 2012. He has led the league in tackles multiple times over the last decade and has also been one of the more proficient pass coverage LBs in the NFL. He has 7 Pro Bowl appearances and has been named All-Pro 6 times as well. He is the second-best player on this defense by far.
LB: Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers
In just his 3rd season, Fred Warner has established himself as a premier linebacker in the NFL. Making his first All-Pro team in 2020, Warner is part of the new class of elite linebackers. A terrific tackler and pass coverage nightmare, Warner and Wagner on the same team would instantly spell trouble on the second level.
*LB: K.J. Wright, Seattle Seahawks
The other half of Seattle’s elite LB tandem, K.J. Wright has been one of the most underappreciated players in the NFL over the last 10 years. In his 10 year career, Wright has missed just 16 games despite playing such a brutal position. His consistency doesn’t just end there, as Wright’s field instincts are some of the best in the NFL. His IQ on the field often makes up for his lower than average speed. Despite how slow he may look, it’s no coincidence that he is always at the right place at the right time. 2020 was no different, as Wright was the only player in the league to record double-digit passes defended and 10+ tackles-for-loss.
SS: Jamal Adams, Seattle Seahawks
Although many fans have given Adams a bad rep because of his lack of interceptions, he is one of the best defensive players in the league right now. Playing a hybrid safety position, Adams has constantly played close to the line of scrimmage his whole career. He essentially functions as a run support linebacker but runs a 4.33 40-yard dash — a scary sight for any offense. He also holds the record for most sacks in a season by a DB at 9.5, so his versatility cannot be understated. Plug him into any defense and they’ll get a motivator and run-stopper.
FS: Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals
Another fantastic run support safety, Budda Baker’s All-Pro performance in 2020 lands him a spot on this unreal defense. He has quickly become one of the best open-field tacklers in the league and is even better in pass defense than Adams. He also packs quite a punch as a tackler, so between Wagner, Warner, Adams, and now Baker, this defense might break a few ribs.
Special Teams:
K: Jason Myers, Seattle Seahawks
P: Michael Dickson, Seattle Seahawks
Returner: Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals
Total Players
Seattle Seahawks: 10
Los Angeles Rams: 4
Arizona Cardinals: 5
San Francisco 49ers: 6
The NFC West is stacked, there’s no denying it. It will be a treat to watch these guys slug it out for the division title again in 2021.
