NFC West rookies who will make the biggest impact in 2023

Los Angeles Rams

Steve Avila, OL (Second round): The Rams need help all over the offensive line and a versatile player like Avila should have no problem getting on the field. While at TCU, he played over 1,000 snaps at left guard and 1,000 snaps at center and even filled in at right guard and right tackle.

While the Rams were busy setting records for offensive line injuries in 2022, Avila didn’t give up a sack for the Horned Frogs all year. At over 6-foot-3 and 332 pounds, Avila is big enough to play any line position, but he’ll start at left guard.

San Francisco 49ers

Jake Moody, K (Third round): Without a pick in Round 1 or Round 2, general manager John Lynch still thought it wise to draft a kicker with the 99th- overall pick. It was a terrible move, but one way or another Moody will make an impact.

Kickers often lead their teams in points each year. Robbie Gould led San Francisco in points for the past six seasons, but he’s no longer with the team. Moody will have plenty of chances to succeed (or fail) kicking behind one of the NFL’s best offenses.

Seattle Seahawks

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR (First round): Aside from fullback, slot receiver may be the most underappreciated position in football. They’re typically not that fast or big and they’re asked to do the dirty work in the middle of the field that other receivers don’t do.

So imagine how Seattle’s offense will look with a slot receiver who caught 95 passes for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns for Ohio State in 2021. Now imagine he gets to share the field with D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. If he can stay healthy, something he couldn’t do last year, Smith-Njigba will be a first down machine.