1. San Francisco 49ers
A full year with QB Colin Kaepernick could be a special one.
2. Seattle Seahawks
If they still played in the AFC they would be the favorite in that conference.
3. St. Louis Rams
They would be a playoff contender in any other division.
4. Arizona Cardinals
A new regime will mean a much improved offense with their solid defense.
Head Coach: Jim Harbaugh
Key Position: Secondary – The pressure was certainly on them late last year when the 49ers pass rush lost some steam. They have tremendous depth here, but they’ll need to stay consistent all year long.
Key Acquisitions: CB Nnamdi Asomugha (Philadelphia Eagles), DE Glenn Dorsey (Kansas City Chiefs), K Phil Dawson (Cleveland Browns), QB Colt McCoy (Cleveland Browns), S Craig Dahl (St. Louis Rams), WR Anquan Boldin (Baltimore Ravens)
Key Rookies: S Eric Reid, TE Vance McDonald, WR Quinton Patton
Head Coach: Pete Carroll
Key Position: Wide Receiver – It’s expected that QB Russell Wilson will take a big step forward this year. To do that he’ll need his receivers to help more. With Percy Harvin on the shelf for an early chunk of the season that task will be harder to accomplish.
Key Acquisitions: DE Cliff Avril (Detroit Lions), DE Michael Bennett (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), WR Percy Harvin (Minnesota Vikings)
Key Rookies: RB Christine Michael, DT Jordan Hill
Head Coach: Jeff Fisher
Key Position: Offense – Simply put they have to score. Their defense was outstanding under the circumstances. They’ll have to average at least 20 points per game if they want to keep their defense fresh for a long season.
Key Acquisitions: T Jake Long (Miami Dolphins), TE Jared Cook (Tennessee Titans)
Key Rookies: WR Tavon Austin, LB Alec Ogletree, S T.J. McDonald
Head Coach: Bruce Arians
Key Position: Offense – One of the most dreadful offensive teams last year will have a new quarterback and running back this year. They hope that with consistent quarterback play the wide receivers will continue to play up to their standard.
Key Acquisitions: CB Antoine Cason (San Diego Chargers), CB Jerraud Powers (Indianapolis Colts), DE John Abraham (Atlanta Falcons), DE Frostee Rucker (Cleveland Browns), LB Lorenzo Alexander (Washington Redskins), LB Jasper Brinkley (Minnesota Vikings), LB Karlos Dansby (Miami Dolphins), QB Carson Palmer (Oakland Raiders), RB Rashard Mendenhall (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Key Rookies: G Jonathan Cooper, LB Kevin Minter, CB Tyrann Mathieu
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