From 90 to 53. For a starting or rotation position, many candidates are there, for few chosen. Because competition means emulation, except for a few executives, NFL teams all experience battles during training camps. Today, the NFC West division.
San Francisco 49ers: edge rusher
On the starting line: Leonard Floyd, Yetur Gross-Matos, Drake Jackson
The San Francisco 49ers are one of the teams that made the fewest changes this offseason. Of the 22 players on the offensive and defensive teams who started in the Superbowl, 19 are back.
One of the missing players is at a very important position in the Niners' defensive system. A left-side outside linebacker must be freed up during the upcoming training camp.
On the right side, Nick Bosa will pair with Javon Hargrave. The two stars combined for 17.5 sacks last season. They were also named starters in the ProBowl and are obvious choices for 2024.
However, on the other side, on the left, new defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen will have to find solutions, especially on the outside to complement his superstar. Leonard Floyd makes excellent arguments as a quarterback chase specialist. The soon-to-be 32-year-old player seems to be the most capable of taking advantage of the spaces freed up by Nick Bosa on his opposite side.
Drake Jackson has the advantage of a versatile profile across the entire line but is struggling to come back from a serious quadriceps injury. Yetur Gross-Matos brings a very stable profile to the outside of the line, capable of controlling the run better than Leonard Floyd. However, Shanahan and his staff should prefer a more aggressive profile.
“Leonard Floyd gives us a very consistent player opposite Bosa, who can make people pay when they put all the attention on Nick. He's also very durable, he plays over and over and I love the way he chases the quarterback.” Kyle Shanahan per NBC
Prediction: Leonard Floyd
Also: Interior defensive line, cornerback, safety
Arizona Cardinals: Defensive Line
On the starting line: Dante Stills, Roy Lopez, Bilal Nichols, Justin Jones, LJ Collier, Darius Robinson
In the Cardinals' hybrid defense, Jonathan Gannon and his staff need to find a solid lineup with three linemen who will do the dirty work. Last year Arizona finished last in rushing defense with 2,434 yards conceded.
The franchise has not been able to count on any continuity in 2023, with more than ten different players who have been episodically starters, without much success.
Bilal Nichols and Justin Jones were signed to solve the problem. The newcomers seem to have the rope, but will have to show that they have enough shoulders, especially Nichols who only saw the field on 54% of the snaps last year.
The 2023 holdovers who will really get their chance are Dante Stills and Roy Lopez. The former showed some nice episodes chasing the quarterback with 3.5 sacks in total during his rookie season. The latter complements him with a specialty against the run, but only in nose tackle.
Finally, the surprise could come from two first round draft picks. Gannon is never afraid to give his rookies responsibilities. Retrieved in 27e position by the franchise, Darius Robinson, atypical, tall, lanky but muscular and very versatile has a real card to play. We must not forget LJ Collier (pick 29, draft 2019) returning from injury and who had already won a starting position last year.
Prediction: LJ Collier – Bilal Nichols – Darius Robinson
Also: cornerback, edge rusher, left guard
Los Angeles Rams: running back
On the starting line: Kyren Williams, Blake Corum
In recent years, the NFL has changed its approach to the running game. Running backs play as a committee with a division of duties. The Los Angeles Rams are no exception, but they also like to have a designated runner who can take on a heavy workload.
Last year, Kyren Williams took on this role head on. He ran for 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns, far ahead of his runner-up Royce Freeman, who has now left elsewhere. He earned this “number 1” position through his work during the last training camp. However, in 2022, Kyren Williams was only the No. 3 option on his team, behind Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson. Williams therefore also has experience with the system after two years within the walls of the organization.
These events seem to show that Rams head coach Sean McVay likes to challenge his players and allow them to earn a bigger role during camps. Kyren Williams should be wary of the 2024 draftee: Blake Corum.
The young player has the weapons to upset the expected order. The runner is the reigning college champion, from a team whose ground game has been the spearhead. Blake Corum scored 27 touchdowns in 2023, for a total of 1,245 yards. This accomplishment is not an epiphenomenon. In 2022, he was more efficient on his rushing gains with 1,463 yards on 247 attempts while adding 18 touchdowns. The Rams' choice is also implacably logical on the runner's style. Corum checks the boxes expected by the Rams, a compact running back, capable of breaking tackles behind an explosive scheme on the outside and without a great need for readings by the runner.
Prediction: Kyren Williams
Also: defensive line, linebackers, number 3 receiver
Seattle Seahawks: right guard
On the starting line: Anthony Bradford, McClendon Curtis, Christian Haynes
Mike McDonald and Ryan Grubb take the reins of the franchise. On offense, their game plan develops around a simple and effective aerial attack. The quarterback plays from a more remote position and distributes in the manner of a point guard in basketball. To give him time, pass protection is a more than necessary variable. The choice of the franchise's right guard could lean in this direction.
Anthony Bradford was a 10-time starter for Seattle in 2023. However, he didn't win training camp beforehand and had to wait for teammates to get some playing time. When he did get on the field, he was pretty good at opening holes, less so at protecting his quarterback.
Drafted by the franchise in 2023, the same draft as Anthony Bradford, McClendon Curtis is an outsider during this battle. The lineman has more interesting physical assets than his partner, that was not enough in 2023. Big, explosive and powerful, his impact on the race could be greater. It remains to be seen if there was technical progression during this offseason.
The Seattle Seahawks selected Christian Haynes in the third round of the 2024 draft, a player who has had very convincing academic performances in a less renowned school. The physical profile is also interesting and technically the base seems solid. The first-year player has something to worry others.
Prediction: Christian Haynes
Also: defensive line, linebackers
