What was once an NFL laughingstock, the NFC West is now a division rife with game-changing skill-position players.
From the Super Bowl-contending San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks, to the up-and-coming St. Louis Rams, to the overlooked Arizona Cardinals, gridiron warriors on both sides of the ball are worthy of top-notch status at their respective positions. Some teams have more than others, but the pertinent idea is the rising status of this animosity-laden division featuring some of the finest players—and rivalries—in football.
Compiling this list involves a bevy of NFL men on offense, defense and special teams. For our purposes, though, we’ll restrict this discussion to key money-making positions on offense: Quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end and the Denard Robinson-inspired utility role, Offensive Weapon.
Here now are the NFC West’s five best skill-position players on the offensive side of the ball.
Offensive Weapon: Percy Harvin, Seattle Seahawks
The Minnesota Vikings may rue the day they traded Harvin, one of the most dynamic players in all of the NFL.
The Seattle Seahawks’ new wide receiver, running back, return-man extraordinaire is truly proficient in every aspect of the offensive game. Harvin has averaged over 825 yards receiving and five touchdown catches since entering the league in 2009. He has accrued 24 total touchdowns and just under 4,000 yards from scrimmage—backfield operations included—in that time as well.
In addition, Harvin owns a career average of 27.9 yards per kick return, one of the top marks in the NFL since he began participating at the pro level. He has also brought back at least one for end-zone pay dirt for the past four seasons.
Harvin has unfortunately suffered through debilitating migraines for the entirety of his career. “Sick days” are a fairly regular occurrence for the otherwise healthy 25-year old.
When he is on the field, however, Harvin is a bona fide game-breaking talent. He could very well end up pushing the Seahawks to a NFC West division title in 2013.
Honorable Mentions: Tavon Austin, Rams; LaMichael James, 49ers
Tight End: Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers
Based on sheer talent and physical abilities alone, Davis is in the discussion of top NFL players at any position.
The former Maryland standout brings a 6’3’’, 250-pound frame with incredible 4.38 speed at tight end. He creates mismatches with any defender assigned to him in coverage—linebackers, safeties and cornerbacks. Overpowering strength and speed are assets he utilizes on a game-by-game basis.
Davis is also much more than some wide receiver masquerading as a tight end. He is one of the league’s best blockers at the position, something that makes him an invaluable asset for the run-oriented 49ers.
No. 85’s production last season was a far cry from his 965 receiving yards and league-leading 13 touchdowns in 2009. A mere 548 yards and five TD grabs just didn’t cut it in the regular season.
Fortunately for the 49ers, Davis developed a tremendous connection with quarterback Colin Kaepernick during their playoff run. They combined for one touchdown, two 100-yard outings and multiple game-altering moments.
Davis will piggyback off his postseason resurgence and realize his immense potential as the NFC West’s most dominant pass-catching and blocking tight end in 2013.
Honorable Mention: Jared Cook, Rams
Wide Receiver: Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
Question: Are we living nostalgically in the past by nominating Fitzgerald for the top wide receiver spot?
Recent production lows notwithstanding, Fitzgerald is still here, and he’s never really left.
Even with a deplorable quarterback hodgepodge of Kevin Kolb, John Skelton, Ryan Lindley and Brian Hoyer throwing him passes, Fitzgerald still produced quality numbers. He notched 71 catches for just under 800 yards and four scores. Those totals are certainly pedestrian by his standards but completely acceptable considering the QB situation.
The former No. 3 overall pick had brought devastation to opposing defenses the previous five seasons. He amassed at least 80 catches and 1,000 yards each year and racked up 41 touchdowns. These statistics are indicative of what Fitzgerald can do with a viable QB under center. Having Carson Palmer for 2013 should help ensure that comes to fruition.
We expect the man with the best hands in the game to light up the opposition and honor this No. 1 ranking.
Honorable Mentions: Anquan Boldin, 49ers, Sidney Rice, Seahawks
Running Back: Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks
Fans of the Red and Gold would certainly have issue with this pick, but objective analysis lends itself to another NFC West running back.
Lynch generated the finest season of his six-year career in 2012. He ran roughshod over any would-be defensive obstacles to the effect of 1,590 yards and 11 touchdowns. His 315 attempts, 5.0 yards per carry and 872 yards after contact—good for No. 4 in the NFL—evoked his unstoppable, “Beast Mode” nature.
Lynch also was a great blocker and operated very effectively with quarterback Russell Wilson in the read-option. He added 198 yards and one score in the passing game as well.
Standing at 5’11’’ and 215 pounds, @MoneyLynch is a powerful force to be reckoned with on the gridiron. He doesn’t possess breakaway speed, but really doesn’t need it because of his propensity for bouncing off tackles and bulldozing his way into the end zone.
Replicating last season’s numbers won’t be easy. The NFC West in particular is loaded with dominant front-sevens geared to stop the run.
That said, Lynch would scoff at such notions.
And it turns out that we fund ourselves agreeing.
Honorable Mention: Frank Gore, 49ers
Quarterback: Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers
Like the selection before it, fans of a particular division rival would surely react with rage over our choice of top quarterback. We can certainly understand knowing that the Seahawks’ Wilson threw 26 touchdowns and orchestrated five game-winning drives in his rookie season.
But a thorough breakdown reveals that Kaepernick is the NFC West’s No. 1 QB.
Kaepernick is the undeniable complete package. He possesses the sheer physical abilities of height (6’5’’), bulk (233 pounds), speed (4.53-40) and arm strength. He has the requisite high football IQ, handles pressure extremely well and leads his team on the biggest stages with poise and a winning track record.
Most notably, Kap has helped revolutionize the NFL with his prolific dual-threat abilities. He can complete 78 percent of his passes one day (Week 13), throw four touchdowns the next, and then rush for an NFL QB record 181 yards and two scores in the divisional playoffs. And chalk all that up to the man with the league’s third-highest QBR in the regular season (76.8) and second highest in the playoffs (86.5) from last year.
In other words, Kap is a dynamic threat from both inside and outside the pocket with both his arm and legs. His ceiling is unlimited.
We project a 4,000-total-yard, 30-touchdown campaign from Kaepernick in 2013. It should be one hell of a ride for the 49ers Faithful.
Honorable Mention: Russell Wilson, Seahawks
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