The NFC West brought in some big-name free agents and a potential star QB in the draft, but who will make the biggest impact when the 2018 season ends? Our experts make their picks.
Brady Henderson, Seattle Seahawks reporter: Rams defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh. Take your pick from any of the Rams' big-ticket acquisitions. I'll go with Suh, who has five Pro Bowls and 51.5 sacks over his career. Sure, Suh might be slowing down at 31. He averaged 58 pressures from 2014 to 2016 before finishing with 43 last season, according to Pro Football Focus. But that's still tremendous production from a defensive tackle, and Suh should, in theory, face fewer double-teams while playing alongside Aaron Donald, the NFL's reigning defensive player of the year and arguably the game's most dominant defensive lineman. Plus, Suh should be plenty motivated while playing on a one-year contract for a team that figures to contend.
Lindsey Thiry, Los Angeles Rams reporter: Cardinals quarterback Josh Rosen. Rosen sat at the NFL draft and watched nine players -- including three quarterbacks -- get taken before him. The former UCLA quarterback considered being picked 10th overall a slight and said he will use it for added motivation. Rosen took a bulk of the reps during the offseason program as the Cardinals attempt to bring the injury-prone Sam Bradford along slowly from his latest ailment. Though Rosen might be behind Bradford on the depth chart, it's likely -- given Bradford's injury history -- that he'll eventually see playing time. Rosen's style of play is better suited for the NFL that it was at UCLA -- as long as he can get some protection. When his time comes, expect him to light it up with his natural arm talent.
Nick Wagoner, San Francisco 49ers reporter: Rams cornerback Marcus Peters. There was no shortage of star power added to the division this offseason, but Peters stands above the rest in terms of talent and situation. Peters was already one of the league's best corners with 19 interceptions in his first three seasons (most in the NFL in that time), so the talent is not and has never been in question. The questions have been about coachability and whether he's a good fit in the locker room. But Peters has millions (and millions) of reasons to be a good teammate and learn from defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. Phillips has a reputation for getting the most out of his corners and with Peters approaching free agency in the next couple of years, there's no reason to believe he won't do anything but grow as a player as he approaches a big pay day. At just 25 years old with a contract to play for on a team that should contend, Peters could make an immediate impact for the Rams in 2018.
Josh Weinfuss, Arizona Cardinals reporter: Suh. Yes, the Rams added two top-tier cornerbacks in Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib, either of whom could've been chosen for this honor, but it's Suh's potential, especially paired with Aaron Donald up front, that makes him the best. Suh's numbers were down slightly last season -- 48 tackles and 4.5 sacks -- but he's still a dominating force on the interior of any defense. However, playing alongside Donald, who already commands so much attention from offensive lines, could free Suh to have his first 10-sack season since 2010. If the Rams' defense was already feared because of Donald up front, then adding Suh took that intimidation to an entirely new level.