Projecting NFC West starting rosters for 2022

Teams have been through the draft and the majority of free agency. So we should be able to see the fruits of their offseason labour.

There are still quality free agents available which will end up somewhere, and camp battles to be won. But in this article series, we will take an early look at what each team’s starting line-up should look like for the season. Are these teams any better? Let’s find out. 

In the fifth instalment of this roster series, we take a look at the NFC teams, starting in the NFC West. Won by the Rams in 2022, the division has seen different champions in each of the last three years.

The Seahawks are probably the only team out of contention this year, with the Rams and 49ers deemed favourites.

Let’s take a look at their possible starting rosters:

San Francisco 49ers

When will Jimmy Garoppolo get traded? Or will he remain in San Francisco as a backup? All these questions remain about the man who lead the 49ers to their first Super Bowl in seven years. But one thing that looks certain is that Jimmy G will no longer be their starting quarterback.

Trey Lance will be given the opportunity to showcase his skills in 2022. I’m expecting big things from the 2021 #3 overall selection, and seems ready to take a major leap this year.

Deebo Samuel remains a 49er, will that be the case come September? The potential for a trade away looks to have faded, but he’ll be looking to settle his long-term future very soon. The developing Brandon Aiyuk and Juane Jennings make-up the remaining spots in this young, exciting San Fran receiving core.

Injuries prevented the impressive Elijah Mitchell from seeing out the season. And with Raheem Mostert gone, Mitchell will be hoping to tie down his starting place at running back.

Laken Tomlinson is the glaring absence on offensive line after a standout 2021. Sophomore Aaron Banks has big boots to fill, but he’ll be confident holding his own and beating off any competition at guard.

On defensive, the 49ers defense is one of the most destructive from across the entire league. The defensive line is deep and loaded, with Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead and Fred Warner are the standouts in this side. Fans will be hoping all three stay fit for the entirety of 2022.

It’ll be interesting to see how second-round pick from 2022 Drake Jackson gets on at some point this season. He’s a big, raw in talent defensive end who while maybe not be a starter from day one, is sure to lead the competition at the position.

Samson Ebukam is a more than solid addition to the linebacker room, while Dre Greenlaw will be hoping to make more inroads in 2022.

The back four isn’t as strong as the front, but that’s no shame. San Francisco will be looking for Jason Verrett to replicate his 2021 performances if he can stay fit this year, while hoping Emmanuel Moseley can step up.

In the secondary, Jaquiski Tartt had been a mainstay in the 49ers defense for the past decade, but a couple of poor years means he’s on the verge of losing his starting spot. I’m looking forward to seeing how Jimmie Ward gets on in 2022. He’s a player with a lot of potential and very underrated ability in coverage. If Ward can up his turnover production, he’ll become a real force for the 49ers going forward.

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals haven’t won the AFC West since 2015. But last year’s showing was the closest they’ve come since then, despite losing six of their final ten regular season games.

The big news this offseason is DeAndre Hopkins’ suspension. With his six-game ban, it’ll be up to the rest of the Cardinals youthful receiving core to step-up. Rondale Moore is poised for a breakout year, while Marquise Brown will be hoping a trade to Phoenix can do wonders for his NFL career.

No Chase Edmunds means James Conner’s workload will increase, following a successful year one in Arizona last year. Opening draft pick in 2022 Trey McBride will push Zach Ertz hard for a starting place, but the former Eagles tight end still has plenty of worth as a target for Murray.

The big concern is on offensive line. This unit ranked 25th on PFF’s offensive line rankings in 2021 and there haven’t been too many additions. Plus, of the expected starters picked out on O-Line, only one is under contract beyond 2022. Humphries, Pugh, Hernandez and Beachum will all become be free agents in 2023. Having waited until round six before taking guard Lecitus Smith, this must be a concern for the Cardinals going forward.

Have they regressed on offensive overall? Perhaps. The loss of Hopkins certainly makes them weaker. But don’t write off this Cardinals offense. Kyler Murray will be looking backup his claims for a big contract with another productive year. He needs to settle and the Cardinals need to trust him.

The Cardinals need help on their defensive line. The loss of Chandler Jones is a big hit to this side, and asking two rookies in Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders to fill the void left on the edge is a huge ask. Signing a veteran like Ndamukong Suh would help in the short term, but this is another area which is in need of a drastic reinforcements.

Jones’ departure means Markus Golden, who enjoyed a stellar 2021, will be the premier pass rusher for the Cardinals this year. It’s a big year for Zaven Collins too, who the Cardinals will be looking towards to take command of their linebacker room, alongside Isiah Simmons, who seems to be the natural leader in this locker room.

No real change in the secondary, but it’s a big year for the unit. Jalen Thompson’s rookie deal expires in 2023, but he’s got a chance to develop into a star and earn his right to stay. The youthful Byron Murphy Jr. and Marco Wilson will also be desperate to nail down their starting roles at cornerback in Arizona.

Los Angeles Rams

After years of below par quarterback play, the Rams finally found their man in Matthew Stafford last year, leading them to the Super Bowl in his debut season in LA. His formidable partnership with Cooper Kupp was one of the best in the NFL in 2021. They’ll be looking to continue that form this year in their defence of the Lombardi Trophy.

Allen Robinson II represents an upgrade on Odell Beckham, despite the latter’s superb form. Beckham could still return to LA, but Robinson’s long-term deal suggests he’ll be the No.2 guy behind Kupp for years to come.

Cam Akers is primed for a big year after an injury hit 2021. With no Sony Michel for competition, Akers will be the main man at running back this year.

On offensive line, Andrew Whitworth is the most notable absentee, having retired after the Super Bowl. Despite this, the Rams still have one of the better O-Line unites in the NFC. While Brian Allen looks good back at center. The only weakness may be at right guard, with rookie Logan Bruss coming in. He’s fairly unknown, but will be looking to showcase his third-round talent from the off.

The Rams defense was already stacked. But with Bobby Wagner added to the fold for 2022, it’s just got a whole lot scarier for opposition offenses.

Despite the demise of the Seahawks in recent years, Wagner has continued to prove he’s still one of the best defensive players in the NFL. Bringing him into this team is one of the best transitions of this offseason.

Elsewhere, keeping the defensive G.O.A.T that is Aaron Donald out of retirement is massive for the Rams. Possibly their greatest ever player, Donald seems to continue getting better as an athlete. Leonard Floyd, entering his third year as a Ram, will be taking on a greater leadership role in LA this season to support the youthful Hollins and Jones.

The secondary speaks for itself. Jalen Ramsey is an elite defensive back, while Troy Hill is one of the best slot corners around. Taylor Rapp was on fire in his second year as a pro at safety, while Jordan Fuller was equally as impressive, leading the teams in tackles for the season.

Fox Sports’ Eric D. Williams’ sees this team as the best defensive side in the NFL. It’s easy to see why.

Seattle Seahawks

Obviously, the big change to the Seahawks offense is the loss of Russell Wilson, perhaps their greatest ever player. His blockbuster trade to the Denver Broncos sent shockwaves across the NFL, but his ultimately had a huge impact on the prospects for Seattle.

With Wilson gone, it’s a battle between Drew Lock, who went in the opposite direction from Denver, for the starting QB spot, and veteran Geno Smith.

There is still uncertainty over DK Metcalf’s future, trade talk is still ever-present wherever you go for the former second rounder. It’s a contract year for the former Ole Miss standout, so I’m sure he’ll be looking to put those rumours to bed in 2022.

Elsewhere, the Seahawks had the worst offensive line in the NFL last year. Drafting Charles Cross looks a good addition but there is plenty left to do in order to improve up front.

Infact, many would still rank Seattle’s O-Line as the worst in the NFL, a title they held in 2021. The lack of inexperience across the board is worrying, with Damien Lewis and Gabe Jackson the only starting members to have taken a snap for the Seahawks previously.

Why hasn’t Duane Brown been resigned? He’s still a free agent and was one of the Seahawks’ better players last season. Something just doesn’t seem right behind the scenes in Seattle.

It’s sad to think that the Seahawks had one of the best defenses in the whole NFL just a short time ago. Now, it’s barely recognisable given how much it has changed.

The days of the Legion of Boom are long gone. Their defensive leader Bobby Wagner is now at the Rams, while Carlos Dunlap, who massively improved in 2021, has been let go.

Uchenna Nwosu, Shelby Harris and Quinton Jefferson are the newcomers in 2022. Nwsou is a player I particularly like the look of. If he can slot straight into this defense following his move from the Chargers, there is no reason why he can’t go on to lead the Seahawks in sacks this year.

It’s going to be a big season for Jordyn Brooks I feel. The former first-rounder brings a strong attitude in the way he plays and needs to step up as a main man on this defense in 2022.

For the defensive backs, Jamal Adams will be looking to bounce back from a dismal showing in 2021, while Qunadre Diggs will be looking to build on his career-best year last season at safety. The loss of D.J. Reed is another heavy blow to the makeup of this side, with the unproven Tre Brown and Sidney Jones likely to come in filling the cornerback positions.

All in all, it could be a tricky year for this weakened Seahawks defense.