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The Rams had the league's offensive and defensive players of the year in 2017. Will one of those players be the division's best player? Our NFC West reporters weigh in. Brady Henderson, Seattle Seahawks reporter: Rams running back Todd Gurley II. It's tempting to pick Russell Wilson since he's still the best quarterback in the division. However, if we're using the league-wide award as a guide, then the NFC West MVP will come from the team that wins the division, and that projects to be the Rams. Gurley might not top the gaudy numbers he produced last season, when he led the NFL in yards from scrimmage (2,093) and combined rushing and receiving touchdowns (19) en route to finishing second in MVP voting, but he'll still be the offensive focal point for a team that figures to contend.  Lindsey Thiry, Los Angeles Rams reporter: Gurley. The reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year will once again work behind a veteran offensive line that helped him rush for 1,305 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. Gurley also developed into a proven weapon in the passing game, with 64 receptions for 788 yards and six touchdowns. And to think last season, he was just becoming acquainted with coach Sean McVay's system. Add another year working with McVay -- who will undoubtedly add some new wrinkles to keep Gurley moving as opponents' focus shifts to stopping him -- along with his growing chemistry with Goff and the fourth-year pro is bound for another big season.
Nick Wagoner, San Francisco 49ers reporter: Gurley. A strong case could have been made for Gurley to win the NFL MVP in 2017, but that's a difficult proposition for any non-quarterback. Now that he's firmly established as one of the game's elite offensive players, he should already be on the radar going into next season. Gurley's game-changing ability as both a runner and receiver makes him the ideal centerpiece in McVay's offense and McVay is creative enough to put Gurley in spots to succeed, even when the defense is hyper-aware of him. Assuming good health, Gurley should again be the best player on the best team in the NFC West, which is usually the easiest way to identify the division's MVP. Josh Weinfuss, Arizona Cardinals reporter: Jimmy Garoppolo. Heck, he was nearly the division MVP last year after starting just five games -- and winning all of them. That begs this question: How good can he be -- and make the Niners -- in a full season? If this coming season is any carryover from last year, Garoppolo, who threw for 1,560 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions in the six games after getting traded from the Patriots to the 49ers, will play his way into contention for the division -- and maybe the NFL -- MVP. He'll secure it if he can lead the 49ers, who were 6-10 last season, 2-14 in 2016 and 5-11 in 2015, to double-digit wins and a playoff berth next season.
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