Ranking the most important non-QBs in every NFC West team feat. San Francisco 49ers' Nick Bosa

In 2023, the NFC West was one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL, with the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks all finishing the year with positive records.

Unfortunately for Seattle, their nine wins weren't enough to secure a playoff berth, while both the Rams and 49ers advanced to the postseason, with the latter making it to the Super Bowl. But it was another heartbreaking loss for San Francisco versus Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.

The only team from the NFC West yet to be mentioned, the Arizona Cardinals, suffered a down year in 2023 after finishing 4-13. They had to deal with QB Kyler Murray missing a huge chunk of the season due to injury and will be looking to bounce back in 2024.

Here's a look at the most important non-QBs for each NFC West team heading into the 2024 NFL season.

Ranking the most important non-QBs in every NFC West team

#4 - Arizona Cardinals - WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

Despite entering his first NFL season, there's an argument to be made that Marvin Harrison Jr. is already a pivotal piece of the Cardinals roster - and maybe the most important.

Harrison was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and joins a franchise reeling after a disappointing 2023 season. In 2023, the Cardinals offense could only muster the 26th-most passing yards (3,144), largely due to inept play at both QB and WR.

This should improve with a healthy Kyler Murray, who will be relying on rookie superstar Harrison as well as up-and-coming TE Trey McBride to revitalize their offense.

#3 - Seattle Seahawks - CB Devin Witherspoon

One of the most impressive rookies from the 2023 class was Seattle CB Devin Witherspoon. Witherspoon immediately became a lockdown corner and was voted to the Pro Bowl after his excellent debut campaign.

The Seahawks parted company with longtime HC Pete Carroll, hiring former Ravens DC Mike Macdonald as his replacement. This should help elevate Witherspoon's game as the Ravens have consistently had one of the best defensive units in the NFL, and MacDonald himself spent time as the DB coach in Baltimore.

The Seahawks allowed the third-most passing yards per game in 2023 with an average of 371.4 y/g. This should dramatically improve with Macdonald at the helm.

Check out Devin Witherspoon's stats with our player profile here.

#2 - Los Angeles Rams - DT Kobbie Turner

Despite Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp both playing a vital role on offense for the Rams, DT Kobie Turner could prove to be their most important non-QB in 2024.

Superstar Aaron Donald announced his retirement after the 2023 season, having been the best defensive player of his generation, leaving some huge boots to fill. That job may fall on second-year DT Kobie Turner who had an excellent rookie campaign in 2023.

Turner amassed nine sacks last year, more than Donald's eight but will have to up his game in 2024 to fill the void left by the perennial All-Pro. The Rams were in the middle of the pack for rushing yards allowed per game but only totaled 41 sacks - something they'll look to improve on in 2024.

#1 - San Francisco 49ers - DE Nick Bosa

The San Francisco 49ers have arguably the most complete roster in the NFL with stars like Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, George Kittle and Fred Warner. However, Nick Bosa isn't only one of the most important non-QBs for the 49ers but one of the best non-QBs in the entire NFL.

Very few defensive ends disrupt games in the way Bosa can, and throughout his career, to this point, he's totaled 53.5 sacks in 68 regular season games. Bosa was named the 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and hit double-digit sacks in four of his five NFL seasons to date if you account for playoffs.

With the likes of Bosa on defense, the 49ers are always among the favorites for the Super Bowl and 2024 should be no different.

Check out Nick Bosa's stats with our player profile page here.