Once the laughing stock among NFL divisions, the NFC West now boasts a top 20 players list that would rival any other in the league.
The San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks are bona fide Super Bowl contenders. They appropriately contain the greatest number of players on this list.
At the same time, disparaging the rosters for St. Louis or Arizona would be an exercise in futility. Both the Rams and Cardinals are comprehensively talented clubs, despite not making as impressive a showing in this particular ranking.
There also were a substantial number of players deserving honorable mention. One could certainly make the case for guys like Ahmad Brooks, Kam Chancellor, Chris Long and, based on sheer talent alone, Rams’ rookie Tavon Austin.
We’ll now lay out the NFC West’s top 20 players and provide a brief explanation for each selection.
20. Sam Bradford, QB, St. Louis Rams
A quarterback at No. 20? Bradford plays the most important position on the field, but must harness his ample talent and realize his potential in Jeff Fisher’s second year as head coach. The offensive talent is there—Bradford doesn’t have any more excuses.
19. Carson Palmer, QB, Arizona Cardinals
We expect Palmer to elevate his underrated 4,018-yard and 22-touchdown campaign from his time with an unfortunate Raiders squad last year. That said, there simply were too many elite players at other positions to rank him any higher. Scoff away at another lowly quarterback rating if you must.
18. Patrick Peterson, CB, Arizona Cardinals
Peterson is a genuine shutdown corner in the making. He won’t be holding down this spot by year’s end. Unfortunately, perhaps the most talented cornerback in the league sits at No. 20 due to his six touchdowns allowed and declining performance on return duties during his sophomore campaign.
17. Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco 49ers
The most explosive tight end in the game should use this rating as motivation. If not for his disappearance in the 49ers’ offense for much of last season, Davis’ All World status would have him much higher on this list. He remains a devastating mismatch for opposing linebackers and safeties.
16. Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Tear up his knees, make him battle father time, put him in a pistol offense, no matter—Gore will still rank in the top 10 in rushing yards. The every-down quality back will eclipse the 1,000-yard plateau yet again. He’ll take on even more responsibility for the 49ers with Michael Crabtree on the sidelines in 2013.
15. Daryl Washington, ILB, Arizona Cardinals
Please don’t tell Mr. Washington he received a No. 15 next to his nametag. The Second Team All NFL (Associated Press) winner felt he deserved both First Team and Pro-Bowl honors, two awards he didn’t receive in 2012. Washington can certainly tackle and get to the quarterback; he just needs to improve his work in coverage.
14. Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Lynch’s monster 1,590-yard, 11-touchdown and 5.0-yard-per-carry campaign last season might not materialize again in 2013. Even so, we fully anticipate “Beast Mode” to produce a huge year running behind Russell Wilson’s pistol-read offense. There is plenty of talent at running back to keep him fresh.
13. Bobby Wagner, ILB, Seattle Seahawks
Seattle’s starting middle linebacker absolutely exploded onto the scene during his rookie year. Wagner racked up the seventh-most tackles (140) and added three interceptions and four pass breakups in coverage. He’ll post similar numbers in Year 2 for the Seahawks’ formidable defense.
12. Mike Iupati, LG, San Francisco 49ers
Iupati remains one of the premier guards in all of football. He helps drive the 49ers dominant rushing attack with superior athleticism and strength. Only an excessive number of penalties (nine) marred his season last year. San Francisco’s starting left guard can only get better.
11. Aldon Smith, OLB, San Francisco 49ers
The NFL’s pass-rush specialist showcased his three-down capabilities by logging over 1,000 snaps in his second season. He compiled 19.5 sacks, 50 tackles, three forced fumbles and an interception. If not for his dramatic falloff late in the season when Justin Smith was sidelined—and a slightly hurt shoulder of his own—Smith would find himself top five on this list.
10. Percy Harvin, WR, Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks’ headline-worthy offseason addition is one of the most dynamic weapons whenever he hits the gridiron. Harvin changes the game at wide receiver, out of the backfield and on kickoff returns. Imagining him being utilized in the read-option if fairly mind-boggling as well. One way or another, Harvin could serve as the x-factor for Seattle taking the NFC West crown away from the 49ers—if he can stay healthy.
9. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals
Mr. Fitzgerald cracks the top 10 because he is the most important offensive player for the Cardinals. He is one of the hardest-working, best route-running and most sure-handed receivers who utilize perfect body control to attack defenses. He’ll allow Carson Palmer and Arizona’s upgraded offense to thrive in ways similar to the previous seven seasons. The man simply averages 150-plus targets and hauls in most of them.
8. NaVorro Bowman, ILB, San Francisco 49ers
Bowman forms one part of the NFL’s preeminent inside linebacker duo. He racks up triple-digit tackles, doesn’t miss any, covers at a very high level and is a sideline-to-sideline force against any would-be ball carriers. He simply helps negate any forward progress in his section of the field. The secondary personnel can operate at that much higher of a level because of it.
7. Patrick Willis, ILB, San Francisco 49ers
The former cannot be separated from the latter. Willis possesses all of Bowman’s skills—just to a higher degree. It really is splitting hairs at times, but these two—led by Willis—dominate everything underneath and can cover downfield at an elite level when necessary. No. 52 takes the edge with indescribable intangibles and leadership.
6. Joe Staley, LT, San Francisco 49ers
Say hello to this list’s third consecutive 49er and the league’s No. 1 left tackle. Staley’s athleticism to get to the second level, power as a run blocker and strength in all facets of LT responsibilities easily makes him an elite blindside protector. He is the catalyst that leads the best offensive line in football. Everything begins in the trenches (more to come on this later).
5. Calais Campbell, 3-4 DE, Arizona Cardinals
Outside of the next man on this list, defensive statistical achievements don’t get much more ridiculous. The monstrous 6’8’’, 300-pound Campbell racked up 63 tackles, eight for loss, 6.5 sacks, six pass breakups and one blocked kick last year. He owns the trenches against both the run and pass, but is lacking in one distinct category.
4. Richard Sherman, CB, Seattle Seahawks
Welcome to Shutdown Corner 101. Sherman has assumed the reigns of top cornerback in the NFL. His eight interceptions, 15 pass breakups and 47.1 completion percentage to his side of the field in 2012 clearly illustrates his dominance. He’ll continually take out the opposition’s best receiver in 2013.
3. Justin Smith, 3-4 DE, San Francisco 49ers
Where Campbell leads in some categories (sacks, pass breakups), Justin Smith leads in everything else—most importantly, the total functionality of an NFL top defense. Aldon Smith doesn’t pile up his sacks, Willis and Bowman aren’t freed up to make plays, the secondary can’t play to their capability and the defense as a whole can’t dominate as one of the league’s best without Justin Smith. In other words, he does all the dirty work, makes everyone better and doesn’t ask for a single compliment. We all know what happened when he wasn't on the field (or at 100 percent) in 2012.
2. Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks don’t win anywhere near 11 games without the intangible-crazy, top-three dual-threat quarterback. Wilson accomplished things on the field that not one single analyst could have predicted. He put Seattle in position to advance to the NFC Championship Game last season during his rookie year. He’ll make sure his defense doesn’t prevent that from happening again in 2013.
1. Colin Kaepernick, QB, San Francisco 49ers
In a quarterback-driven league, Kaepernick exists unrivaled in comprehensive talent and gridiron smarts. Big arm, downfield accuracy, speed, game-breaking ability—he is the most complete package with an unlimited ceiling. He doesn’t have to be Peyton Manning, Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers; he just has to be Colin Kaepernick. The Lombardi Trophy arrives in San Francisco courtesy of No. 7.
Follow me on Twitter @jlevitt16