Offensive Star

Christian McCaffrey (RB)

28 years old

Stanford

Defensive Star

Nick Bosa (DE)

26 years old

Ohio State

The 49ers have been one of the best teams recently in the National Football Conference, but meeting the Kansas City Chiefs in two Super Bowls has prevented them landing the franchise's sixth title. Defensive free agency additions like Yetur Gross-Matos and Leonard Floyd, as well as the growth of Brock Purdy will help in their quest for the Vince Lombardi. Coach Kyle Shanahan's plan is to dominate with the ground attack accompanied by Purdy's arm while the defense limits opponents with two top LBs in Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw.

ATTACK. The running back has dominated all facets since joining San Francisco and this year will be essential in the development of the offense under Purdy. The reigning OPOY, and cover of the Madden 25 video game, will look to improve his numbers by totaling over two thousand yards and 20 TDs from the line of scrimmage, numbers that he achieved without problems last year.

DEFENSE. Bosa has been an immovable piece of the Niners' defensive scheme and his performance will be vital in their quest for a championship. The defensive end has three consecutive years with double digits in sacks and this year he will have the responsibility of pressuring opposing quarterbacks after the departure of Clelin Ferrell and Chase Young.

Offensive Star

Cooper Kupp (WR)

31 years old

Eastern Washington

Defensive Star

Kobie Turner (DT)

25 years old

Wake Forest

The Rams' main hole for 2024 will be on the defensive line. Replacing someone like Aaron Donald will be impossible and that will make the job of head coach Sean McVay and Sean Desai to develop the talents of rookies Jareed Verse and Braden Fiske all the more important. On offense, Kyren Williams and Blake Corum will have to lighten Matthew Stafford's pressure. McVay will have to generate more points considering that the defense will not be the same as in recent years.

ATTACK. Puka Nacua broke out in a big way in his rookie year after Cooper Kupp was lost to injury. However, the Super Bowl LVI MVP will look to return to the top tier of wide receivers now that he is healthy with an ankle and hamstring injury. The slot will be his and he will serve as the safety valve for veteran Matthew Stafford.

DEFENSE. The Rams had an excellent crop of rookies in the 2023 Draft and defensive tackle Kobie Turner looks to take Donald's spot. He totaled nine sacks in his first year and finished third in DROY voting. With the additions of Verse and Fiske he will find more holes on the line to pressure QBs and contain the ground attack.

Offensive Star

D.K. Metcalf (WR)

26 years old

Mississippi

Defensive Star

Devon Witherspoon (CB)

23 years old

Illinois

The Pete Carroll era is over and now a new era will begin under the tutelage of Mike Macdonald, who is charged with leading the Seahawks into a new era where the defense will once again shine as it did with the 'Legion of Boom'. The defensive specialist brought in Sam Howell to compete for the starting job against Geno Smith, but his focus will be on building a defense that will limit the Niners, Rams and Cardinals. The departures of Bobby Wagner and Jordyn Brooks will be painful.

ATTACK. Whichever quarterback wins the battle for the starting job, they will have one of the league's best WRs in Metcalf. The Ole Miss graduate is a deep threat and his 16.9 yards per reception last year proves it. As such, the WR will be able to stretch the field at will if he is looked to on long routes. He dropped just seven passes in 2023.

DEFENSE. The future of the Seahawks' defense is at defensive back in a division where the aerial attack dominates and Witherspoon will look to build on an excellent rookie campaign. The cornerback was fourth in DROY voting after allowing 49 receptions, deflecting 16 passes, adding three sacks and intercepting one catch in 14 games.

Offensive Star

Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR)

22 years old

Ohio State

Defensive Star

Budda Baker (SS)

28 years old

Washington

The Cardinals have been at the bottom of the NFC West for two years; the expectation is that in 2024 they will compete for one of the wild card spots in the National Football Conference. The feat will be complicated, but Arizona hopes to strike an authoritative blow with an improved defense that will look to contain the offenses of divisional rivals. Jonathan Gannon is in his second season as head coach: after winning four games in his first season, his plan is to build a horror defense like the one he had in 2022 as defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles.

ATTACK. The son of the legendary Marvin Harrison is the best wide receiver prospect in the NFL in decades and that projects him as one of the best at his position from day one. QB Kyler Murray will have his favorite target in the Ohio State graduate because of his excellent hands and athletic ability to separate from defenders.

DEFENSE. BBaker, who is aiming to be a team captain for the fifth consecutive season, has been the Cardinals' defensive standard-bearer and will need to shine again if he wants to return to the playoffs. In addition, the two-time All-Pro is in the final year of his contract with Arizona and the safety will look to secure a new, more lucrative one with outstanding performances.