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Scoop City: NFC West Preview

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4 months ago

July 16, 2024

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What happens when you combine an NFL insider with a former NFL quarterback?

The Scoop City podcast. Two things I learned from today’s kickoff episode: The Jets spoke to Arthur Smith about their OC job (🤯) and Chase Daniel might deserve some credit for the Texans’ success (👀).

Dianna has more on the newest NFL podcast:

What Dianna’s Hearing: Scoop City starts in KC

It was the evening of the Chiefs ring ceremony, and we had been granted exclusive sitdowns with their biggest stars for our new podcast, Scoop City. As the players and coaches began making their way toward us, Chase Daniel was melting.

He’d worn a white collared shirt, looking classy and professional when we arrived. But after a long wait on a sizzling red carpet in the Kansas City heat, he was drenched in sweat. He repeatedly asked me (not unlike the way my 2-year-old, Mikey, asks me to watch him play with a toy garbage truck): “Look! Look! Look! Does it look that bad?”

I started to panic, concerned that my podcast co-host wasn’t going to be able to lock in when the red light came on. Chase played 14 NFL seasons as a backup quarterback for seven different teams, including Andy Reid’s Chiefs. But maybe we were about to learn that the other side of the microphone wasn’t for him.

Spoiler alert: I was wrong.

Our interviews with players, along with coaches like Reid, Steve Spagnuolo, and Matt Nagy, were enlightening. Chase was the driver, and each person was drawn not only to his football intellect, but his spirit. At one point, Reid pulled me aside to tell me, “You are going to learn from him.”

I already am learning from Chase, and you will too.

Starting with today’s episode with Coach Reid, “Scoop City,” hosted by Chase and me, will drop a new episode every Tuesday and Friday.

Click here to listen to the first episode of Scoop City.

Now, Jacob will get you up to speed on the NFC West.

2024 NFL Team previews: NFC West

The 49ers won the division in 2023 and 2022. Before that, the Rams (2021) and Seahawks (2020) had their turn. The Cardinals? Just one winning season since 2015. With Marvin Harrison Jr. bringing hope to Arizona, is this still a big three in 2024?

49ers in 2024

Biggest question: Can their run defense return to 2022’s dominance?

Those 49ers allowed the second-fewest yards per carry in the NFL. In 2023, despite facing a league-low 369 rushing attempts, the 49ers were 26th in run defense efficiency. The return of safety Talanoa Hufanga should help a defense focused on improving in 2024 under newly promoted DC Nick Sorensen.

Position to watch: Receiver.

Will Brandon Aiyuk sign an extension? Will the 49ers trade him to Pittsburgh? When does first-rounder Ricky Pearsall become a factor? Even without mentioning Deebo Samuel, this group presents plenty of intrigue. They should start by extending Aiyuk, one of the league’s best route runners who was top three among receivers in yards per route run, per target and per catch in 2023.

Fantasy sleeper: QB Brock Purdy.

I’ll forever love Purdy after stealing him from an opponent prior to our 2023 Superflex season (thanks, Jomac!). Last season, Purdy’s first full season as starter, he finished as the NFL’s sixth-best fantasy QB. The 49ers return nearly an identical skill-position group in 2024, yet Purdy is being drafted after about 10 other QBs. One of the safest options.

Better than in 2023? Yes.

Can the 49ers join the 1970 Cowboys and 2017 Patriots as the only teams to lose the Super Bowl the year prior to winning it? They have a great chance, with the best roster in the league and another year of experience for the 24-year-old Purdy, who is just two months older than Broncos rookie Bo Nix.

Latest read: State of the 49ers, LB: Will Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw’s tackling bounce back?

Rams in 2024

Biggest question: How many players does it take to replace Aaron Donald?

We’ll see, but likely all of them. Second-year DT Kobie Turner leads a defensive line that returns contract-year NT Bobby Brown III and adds first-round edge Jared Verse and second-round tackle Braden Fiske. The Rams paid a heavy price to pair the FSU rookies on a line undergoing an identity shift.

Position to watch: Running back.

With Kyren Williams on the field, the Rams were top-five in offensive efficiency per play. But the 23-year-old has missed nearly all on-field activities this offseason with a foot issue, though he said he would be ready for training camp. Given Williams’ extensive injury history, I’m watching former Michigan RB Blake Corum, who impressed HC Sean McVay during minicamp. Corum shared fascinating details of learning McVay’s playbook.

Fantasy sleeper: TE Colby Parkinson.

A 6-7, 265-pounder with a combination of size and speed that “pops in practices,” Parkinson is Jourdan Rodrigue’s early pick for a breakout 2024: “It seems like the Rams have big plans.” TE Tyler Higbee is rehabbing a torn ACL and is not expected to be ready until after midseason.

Better than in 2023?

The Rams made the playoffs by winning seven of their final eight games in 2023, which makes them an overhyped 2024 pick. Why? Even with Donald, they went 1-6 against playoff teams, not including a close call against a Sam Darnold-led 49ers team in Week 18. And keep an eye on Matthew Stafford’s contract.

Latest read: Last days at CLU, mental workloads increase, Kyren Williams returns

Seahawks in 2024

Biggest question: Can the defense transform under Mike McDonald?

In 2023, Seattle ranked 25th in points allowed and 31st in third-down conversation rate. They responded by replacing longtime HC Pete Carroll with former Ravens DC Mike Macdonald, credited with taking Baltimore’s defense from middling to historically good. The “Defensive Sean McVay,” Macdonald is at the heart of a shifting philosophy in the NFL.

Position to watch: Quarterback.

An under-discussed offseason move was the Seahawks acquiring former Commanders’ QB Sam Howell. Younger than two 2024 first-round QBs, the 23-year-old likely caught Macdonald’s eye after going 19-for-25 with 188 yards and two touchdowns in a stellar preseason performance against the Ravens in 2023. While Seattle is committed to veteran Geno Smith, a year of study should serve the higher-upside Howell well (and give him some reprieve after taking a league-high 65 sacks).

Fantasy sleeper: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Last year’s 20th pick, Smith-Njigba’s career started slowly, a crime for which many fantasy managers have not forgiven him. Be better: Smith-Njigba was tied for the team lead in targets across the final six games of 2023, and new OC Ryan Grubb’s offense should open up more underneath lanes for a player who has made impressive catch after impressive catch in OTAs.

Better than in 2023? No.

The Seahawks finished 9-8 thanks to their 4-1 record in games decided by three or fewer points, second-best in the NFL. BetMGM doesn’t see their luck continuing under a new head coach, setting their win total at 7.5. On paper, this is a talented team. In reality, expect growing pains.

Latest read: Seahawks 2024 schedule: 4 prime-time games and a tough midseason stretch

Cardinals in 2024

Biggest question: Can they stop the run?

They gave up the NFL’s most rushing yards per game in 2023. Unsurprisingly, teams also ran against them at the league’s highest clip. They drafted a handful of rookies and signed unremarkable veteran tackles Bilal Nichols and Justin Jones, but their long-term prospects are bleak if star safety Budda Baker — who requested a trade last offseason — leaves at the end of 2024.

Position to watch: Quarterback.

Kyler Murray’s trajectory was only up, until it wasn’t. He spent his first three seasons increasing his completion percentage and winning more games from 2019 to 2021. In 2022, his completion percentage regressed, the Cardinals went 3-8 and a torn ACL cost him the remainder of 2022 and nine games in 2023. Now healthy, Murray said No. 4 pick Marvin Harrison Jr. takes the Cardinals’ offense “to another level.” He could be back.

Fantasy sleeper: TE Trey McBride.

Murray’s favorite target after his Week 10 return? McBride, the third-year tight end who led Arizona in targets, receptions and receiving yards (825) despite being a non-factor during the season’s first half. Once Murray returned, McBride was dominant, but he also saw coverage from opposing team’s best corners, which should change with Harrison around.

Better than in 2023? Absolutely.

Eight of their 12 losses came without Murray, who is healthy and putting extra time in. They have an offensive weapon in Harrison and an improved line with former Bengals first-round pick T Jonah Williams. If the defense can be average, they could beat BetMGM’s projected 6.5 wins.

Latest read: The ‘perspicacious’ Marvin Harrison Jr., and what that means for the Cardinals

Around the NFL

Chiefs K Harrison Butker responded to a jab taken by Serena Williams during the ESPY Awards: When her sister, Venus, told the audience to “go ahead and enjoy women’s sports,” Serena added, “Except you, Harrison Butker. We don’t need you.”

Vikings WR Jordan Addison was arrested on Sunday on suspicion of driving under the influence. Last July, Addison was cited for driving 140 mph on a 55 mph freeway.

When will Chiefs HC Andy Reid retire? How does he maintain the culture after two consecutive Super Bowls? Dianna and Chase unpack this with the coach around the 40-minute mark. Click here to check it out.

The Bounce 🏀 | The Windup ⚾ | Full Time ⚽ | Prime Tire 🏁 | Until Saturday 🏈

(Photo:
Harry How/Getty Images)