(photo credit: Cameron DeSilva/USA Today)
By: David Connors @DConBlitz
Introduction
The NFC West is set to be a closely contested division in 2021. Vegas odds have the 49ers and Seahawks in the top 10 of odds to win the Super Bowl in 2021 with +1400 and +2000 respectively. The Cardinals also sit in the top half of the field, and even though the Rams are not, you can never count out Sean McVay and the Los Angeles offense. So who are the titans of the NFC West? I have polled writers from Blitzalytics, Downtown Sports, Sports Illustrated, 24/7 Sports, and The Locked On Network to give you the 2021 Preseason All-NFC West Team.
1st Team
Offense
Quarterback: Matthew Stafford, LA Rams
Running Back: Cam Akers, LA Rams
Wide Receiver: DeAndre Hopkins, AZ Cardinals
Wide Receiver: DK Metcalf, SEA Seahawks
Tight End: George Kittle, SF 49ers
Offensive Tackle: Trent Williams, SF 49ers
Offensive Tackle: Duane Brown, SEA Seahawks
Interior Offensive Lineman: Rodney Hudson, AZ Cardinals
Interior Offensive Lineman: Gabe Jackson, Sea Seahawks
Interior Offensive Lineman: Damien Lewis, Sea Seahawks
Defense
Edge Rusher: Nick Bosa, SF 49ers
Edge Rusher: Chandler Jones, AZ Cardinals
Interior Defensive Lineman: Aaron Donald, LA Rams
Interior Defensive Lineman: Javon Kinlaw, SF 49ers
Off Ball Linebacker: Fred Warner, SF 49ers
Off Ball Linebacker: Bobby Wagner, SEA Seahawks
Cornerback: Jalen Ramsey, LA Rams
Cornerback: Jason Verrett, SF, 49ers
Safety: Buddha Baker, AZ Cardinals
Safety: Jamal Adams, SEA Seahawks
Big Nickle/Nickleback: Byron Murphy, AZ Cardinals
Special Teams
Kicker: Jason Myers, SEA Seahawks
Punter: Michael Dickson, SEA Seahawks
Returner: Tutu Atwell, LA Rams
Player Count
Arizona Cardinals: 5
Los Angeles Rams: 5
San Francisco 49ers: 6
Seattle Seahawks: 8
2nd Team
Offense
Quarterback: Russell Wilson, SEA Seahawks
Running back: Chris Carson, SEA Seahawks
Wide Receiver: Tyler Lockett, SEA Seahawks
Wide Receiver: Cooper Kupp, LA Rams
Tight End: Tyler Higbee, LA Rams
Offensive Tackle: D.J. Humphries, AZ Cardinals
Offensive Tackle: Mike McGlinchey, SF 49ers
Interior Offensive Lineman: Justin Pugh, AZ Cardinals
Interior Offensive Lineman: Alex Mack, SF 49ers
Interior Offensive Lineman: Austin Corbett, LA Rams
Defense
Edge Rusher: JJ Watt, AZ Cardinals
Edge Risher: Arik Armstead, SF 49ers
Interior Defensive Lineman: Poona Ford, SEA, Seahawks
Interior Defensive Lineman: Sebastian Joseph-Day, LA Rams
Off Ball Linebacker: Isaiah Simmons, AZ Cardinals
Off Ball Linebacker: Zaven Collin [R], AZ Cardinals
Safety: Quandre Diggs, SEA Seahawks
Safety: Jaquiski Tartt, SF 49ers
Cornerbacks: Tre Flowers, SEA Seahawks
Cornerbacks: Ahkello Witherspoon, SEA Seahawks
Big Nickel / Nickelback: K’Waun Williams, SF 49ers
Special Teams
Kicker: Matt Prater, AZ Cardinals
Punter, Johnny Hekker, LA Rams
Returner: Rondale Moore, AZ Cardinals
Player Count
Arizona Cardinals: 7 (12 total)
Los Angeles Rams: 4 (9 total)
San Francisco 49ers: 5 (11 total)
Seattle Seahawks: 7 (15 total)
Takeaways
Right off the top, the biggest surprise for me was that Matthew Stafford got voted to the 1st team, and it was not really that close. Russell Wilson was the clear 2nd highest vote-getter with Kyler Murray receiving some as well. It cannot go unnoticed that two of the 1st team IOLs were members of the Raiders roster in 2020. DeAndre Hopkins was the top WR, however, the 2nd WR on the 1st team came down to a close race between teammates DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. The only rookie to make the All-NFC West team was Cardinals Linebacker Zaven Collins sneaking into the All-NFC West 2nd team in front of veterans like Dre Greenlaw and Jordan Hicks.
The players who were voted to the All-NFC West 1st team unanimously were DeAndre Hopkins, George Kittle, Trent Williams, Aaron Donald, Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, Bobby Wagner, Jamal Adams, and Jalen Ramsey. The Seahawks tip the scales with most players altogether. For a team that has been criticized for having a bad Offensive Line, they claim three of the five 1st team Offensive Line spots. If the phrase “defense wins championship” is true, then the 49ers are in great shape with 7 players to make the All-NFC West team and 4 on the All-NFC West 1st team. The Rams had the fewest, nevertheless, they get the boast of having the 1st team QB as well as two of the best defensive players in the NFL. The All-NFC West teams as voted on by writers, fans, and experts is official. Be sure to check in next week as we reveal the All-AFC West.
Credit
Thank you to all who took the time to vote on the 2021 preseason All-NFC West team, as well as everyone who took the time to check out this article.