NFL: Intriguing Players to Watch in the NFC West
With the start of the NFL season just around the corner. We are going to highlight a player from every franchise that intrigues us. That can be a rookie asked to start, a player set to breakout or a league star who’s just fun to watch.
We end the series with the NFC West…
Arizona Cardinals - Kyler Murray, QB
For all his talent, it’s not been an easy road in the NFL for Kyler Murray. First, the accusations that he valued playing on his games console more than watching tape, then there’s the lack of talent he’s had in his career and a major ACL injury in 2022. He returned to action in Week 10 of 2023 and looked solid enough. Now, with a full offseason and an elite playmaker in tow (Marvin Harrison Jr), will we finally see the electric Murray from his Oklahoma days?
Los Angeles Rams - Kobie Turner, DT
You can’t ask for much more from a rookie 3rd-rounder than 11 sacks and 31 QB hurries. That’s precisely what Kobie Turner produced as he burst onto the scene in a youthful Rams defense. The big difference he faces this year is the absence of one of the game’s true greats. Aaron Donald’s retirement will mean Turner won’t benefit from the attention the best defensive tackle in the game drew. Turner now becomes the experienced head, having to show rookie Braden Fiske the ropes at the position. Replacing Donald is impossible, but Turner will be keen to prove that he can reproduce the results without an asterisk.
San Francisco 49ers - Isaac Yiadom, CB
The re-signing of Brandon Aiyuk means the 49ers have a roster where finding a weakness or question mark is difficult. Trent Williams’s holdout and Nick Bosa’s health are two possible areas of concern, but they are both elite players when available. Cornerback Isaac Yiadom had an excellent season for the Saints in 2023, earning a PFF coverage grade of 80.4 and 11 pass breakups, but it was an outlier compared to his first five years in the league. Will he be the weak spot that opposition offenses look to exploit? If he has another postitive showing, the 49ers might have the strongest roster in the NFL.
Seattle Seahawks - Devon Witherspoon, DB
Devon Witherspoon played two games at outside corner before switching to the slot role he excelled in during his rookie campaign. His lightning speed and tough tackling make him a unique chess piece similar to Kyle Hamilton and Brian Branch. The nickel spot is more than just the domain of the third-best corner or those with size deficiencies. It’s a position where playmakers can be used to erase certain matchups, play a prominent role in the run defense and even find their way to the quarterback. Watch the Seahawks’ defense. Witherspoon is front and centre in the action and things are only going to get better.
Rory-Joe Daniels
NFL & Cfb contributor
AS A LONG-SUFFERING CINCINNATI BENGALS FAN, RORY HAS FOLLOWED THE NFL FOR OVER 20 YEARS. HIS PASSION FOR THE DRAFT LED HIM TO GET ENTANGLED WITH COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND HE HAS BEEN WRITING ABOUT PROSPECTS AND THE CFB LANDSCAPE EVER SINCE.