Four NFC West players who will make the biggest leap in 2023

In the NFC West, the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks are coming off playoff appearances, and the Los Angeles Rams should get a boost from the return of a healthy Matthew Stafford at QB. Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals are rebuilding under a new head coach, former Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. 

Here are four players—one from each team in the division—who should make the biggest leap this season.

Arizona Cardinals

Zaven Collins, linebacker: Collins, a first-round pick by the Cardinals in 2021, took a big step forward in his second season and should be poised for an even bigger breakout in 2023. He could emerge as one of the leaders on the defense after the retirement of J.J. Watt. Plus, he also is going to be an intriguing chess piece for Gannon, who plans to use him inside and outside. 

Collins was primarily a starter at inside linebacker last season, racking up 100 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, six pass defenses, a forced fumble, four quarterback hits, two sacks and a pick-six. His potential usage outside could make him an even bigger pass-rushing threat. 

Los Angeles Rams

Cam Akers, running back:  Akers has had an up-and-down career with the Rams over the past three seasons, but the 23-year-old flashed potential in seven starts toward the end of the 2022 season. In the middle of a lost season, the Rams (5-12 in 2022) reportedly turned down several offers for him ahead of the trade deadline. 

Akers topped the 100-yard mark in each of the team's final three games and averaged 4.2 yards per carry for the season. He did all that while playing for a team that had a revolving door at quarterback and no real passing game to complement him. 

San Francisco 49ers

Brock Purdy, quarterback: The wild card here, of course, is Purdy's health. He is still recovering from offseason UCL surgery in his throwing arm and it is unknown when—or if—he will be ready for Week 1. However, he has been described by the 49ers as the leader in the clubhouse to be the starting quarterback over Trey Lance, a former first-round pick.

Including playoffs, the 49ers were 7-1 in games Purdy started during the 2022 season. He threw for 16 touchdowns and only four interceptions in those games. In HC Kyle Shanahan's system and surrounded by the talent the 49ers have, the former seventh-round pick should get every chance to show what he can do.   

Seattle Seahawks

Kenneth Walker III, running back: Walker, who rushed for 1,005 yards as a rookie, finished second in the Offensive Rookie of the Year voting behind WR Garrett Wilson of the Jets. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry but didn't have double-digit carries until the fifth game of the season. 

Seattle's offense, led by QB Geno Smith, was shockingly good in 2022. It should be even better this season with the addition of rookie wide receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba, who joins D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Noah Fant as receiving options. 

With Walker starting from Week 1, he should get close to 300 carries. If he rushes for 4.6 yards a carry again, Walker could finish the season in the neighborhood of 1,400 rushing yards—that's a figure that could put him in contention for a rushing title.