Most Important Non-QB For Each Team: NFC West

After the Los Angeles Rams hoisted the Lombardi Trophy, the rest of the NFC West stood up and began to prepare for them. The non-quarterbacks in this division will decide its outcome.

The NFC West, at best, should provide its share of joy and head-shaking occurrences. Life in the NFL brings that plateful of the unexpected. Granted, we all know that quarterbacks are the field leaders of the franchises. However, other players will ultimately settle the fate of this division. With the focus trained on the glamor positions, others will spring to the forefront.

Joseph Noteboom (LT, Rams)

With the glue of the Rams’ offensive line, Andrew Whitworth enjoying his retirement, Los Angeles looks to Noteboom. While serving as Matthew Stafford’s blindside protector, Noteboom must hold a line together that flashed moments of weakness. Within a division that prioritizes the pass rush like few, others, the NFC West presents a proverbial murderer’s row of talent. The former TCU standout earned the trust of coaches last season. Now, that must translate to the field.

J.J. Watt (DL, Cardinals)

With Canton in his future as a monster as a 3-4 defensive end, Watt remains the centerpiece of a defense that needs his presence. With younger players surrounding him on all sides, the Arizona defense leans on him to not only perform on the field but own that locker room. On offense, the Cardinals look like a playoff team. Meanwhile, the defense struggled, losing five of their last six games. Additionally, the Cards surrendered at least thirty points in four of those games.

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Deebo Samuel (WR/RB, 49ers)

In 2021, Samuel burst on the scene for his versatility. Imagine fourteen hundred receiving yards and eight rushing touchdowns. Samuel keyed a Niners offense that sputtered in spots. Yet, they trusted him with the ball. For a team that needed to practically win out just to make the playoffs. During the postseason, Samuel almost pulled off the impossible: winning three straight road games just to get to the Super Bowl. With that said, the Niners need to grill up whatever beef they have with Samuel, pay him what he wants and get him the ball. No other Niners players command both fear and respect. The best player in the NFC West

Jordyn Brooks ( LB, Seahawks)

The tackling machine now sits as the crown jewel of the Seahawks’ defense. The Legion of Boom sits as a distant memory. Bobby Wagner left for Los Angeles. Let’s be honest, the Seahawks will not win many games this season. However, blessed with multiple draft picks, 2022 feels like an evaluation year. At the same time, Brooks, fresh off one-hundred-eighty-four tackles last season, looks to garner attention. More importantly, his 109 solo stops paced the league. Brooks inherited the best linebacker in the NFC West from his former teammate.

Overview

Granted, everyone loves quarterbacks. However, that surrounding cast on both sides of the ball must remain important. No one football player can win alone. Under those circumstances, life in the NFC West remains a bloody battle.