1. San Francisco 49ers

Salary cap hell is approaching and this will likely be the last year with this current group to finally cash in and win a Super Bowl title.

2. Los Angeles Rams

With a healthy QB Matthew Stafford and a healthy WR Cooper Kupp, they could push for a top spot for the Wild Card and maybe the division should the Niners falter.

3. Seattle Seahawks

A new regime is taking shape at the coaching ranks. Can the new look defense match what the offense can produce on a weekly basis?

4. Arizona Cardinals

I don’t see Arizona giving up on QB Kyler Murray should he falter or get hurt again this season, but time is running out on his worth in the desert.

Head Coach: Kyle Shanahan

Key Position: Defensive Line

This has been the life blood of the 49ers since they regained their supremacy in the conference. They took a bit of a step back last season having to acquire Randy Gregory and Chase Young in the middle of the season. Improving the depth of this line was imperative. Nick Bosa and Javon Hargrave can’t do everything. Leonard Floyd will play opposite Bosa on the line and should contribute immediately with no double team blocks. Maliek Collins is a good tackle to play next to Hargrave. Yetur Gross-Matos and Jordan Elliott provide the rotations needed to keep everyone fresh. Drake Jackson could be a factor if he remains healthy.

Key Acquisitions: LB De’Vondre Campbell (Green Bay Packers), DT Maliek Collins (Houston Texans), QB Joshua Dobbs (Minnesota Vikings), DL Jordan Elliott (Cleveland Browns), DE Leonard Floyd (Buffalo Bills), DE Yetur Gross-Matos (Carolina Panthers)

Key Rookies: WR Ricky Pearsall, CB Renardo Green, OL Dominick Puni, DB Malik Mustapha, WR Jacob Cowing

Head Coach: Sean McVay

Key Position: Defense

Who will be the face of the defense now that DL Aaron Donald has retired? That will remain to be seen, but the future looks bright with Kobie Turner having led the team with 9 sacks last season. Jared Verse was their first round pick and should wreak havoc on the edge. Kamren Curl has a chance to make a name for himself after arriving from the Commanders. His ballhawking mentality will be welcomed on the backend. Tre’Davious White has suffered numerous season ending injuries in his career, but he could still make plays and stymie the opponents best receiver. Byron Young had 8 sacks last season and could get double digits with Turner and Verse providing multiple pass rushing options.

Key Acquisitions: DB Kamren Curl (Washington Commanders), OL Jonah Jackson (Detroit Lions), TE Colby Parkinson (Seattle Seahawks), CB Tre’Davious White (Buffalo Bills), CB Darious Williams (Jacksonville Jaguars), QB Jimmy Garoppolo (Las Vegas Raiders)

Key Rookies: DE/LB Jared Verse, DL Braden Fiske, RB Blake Corum, DB Kamren Kinchens

Head Coach: Mike Macdonald (Baltimore Ravens)

Key Position: Defense

The defense was a major problem last season. With the hiring of Mike Macdonald as the new head coach, he brings a resume of playmaking defenses from Baltimore as the defensive coordinator. Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson are adept at making plays all over the field and will man the middle of the defense. DT Jonathan Hankins should immediately help slow down the opponents rushing attack. Getting DL Byron Murphy II in the first round was a solid choice and puts the defensive line on notice to improve upon last season. DL Leonard Williams is getting paid handsomely and must show that he was worthy of an extension. CB Devon Witherspoon is becoming the next great shutdown corner and it would help if CB Tariq Woolen rediscover his rookie season in Seattle.

Key Acquisitions: LB Jerome Baker (Miami Dolphins), LB Tyrel Dodson (Buffalo Bills), OT George Fant (Houston Texans), DT Jonathan Hankins (Dallas Cowboys), QB Sam Howell (Washington Commanders), DB Rayshawn Jenkins (Jacksonville Jaguars), OL Laken Tomlinson (NY Jets), OL Connor Williams (Miami Dolphins), DB K’Von Wallace (Tennessee Titans)

Key Rookies: DL Byron Murphy II, OL Christian Haynes, LB Tyrice Knight

Head Coach: Jonathan Gannon

Key Position: Offense

If QB Kyler Murray remains healthy, things could get interesting in Arizona. He still has a lot to prove after many moments of inconsistencies, but he is getting paid as the franchise quarterback. Drafting WR Marvin Harrison Jr. was the right move and there aren’t any excuses for getting involved early and often every game. RB Trey Benson could be a dark horse candidate as a rookie, but RB James Conner still has some life left with another 1,000 yard rushing season last year. TE Trey McBride finally broke through and had a career year with 81 catches for 825 yards. His three touchdown total should be doubled at minimum going into this season. The offensive line was average last season and bringing in Evan Brown and Jonah Williams should put them into the good to great category by the end of the year.

Key Acquisitions: OL Evan Brown (Seattle Seahawks), DL Justin Jones (Chicago Bears), CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (Tennessee Titans), DL Bilal Nichols (Las Vegas Raiders), OL Jonah Williams (Cincinnati Bengals), LB Mack Wilson (New England Patriots)

Key Rookies: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., DL Darius Robinson, CB Max Melton, RB Trey Benson