2025 NFC West Defenses 1st Quarter of Season Grades and Rankings 


By Walter Mitchell

By Position: (Note: for players who have logged more than 100 snaps)

DI:

1. LAR - Poonah Ford - 87.8

2. ARI - Calais Campbell - 84.3

3. SEA - Leonard Williams - 75.9

4. SEA - Byron Murphy II - 69.4

5. ARI - Dalvin Tomlinson - 68.2

ED:

1. LAR - Jared Verse - 91.4

2. SFO - Nick Bosa - 86.3

3. LAR - Byron Young - 85.5

4. SFO - Bryce Huff - 83.5

5. ARI - Zaven Collins - 79.3

LB:

1. SFO - Fred Warner - 93.0

2. LAR - Nate Landman - 76.0

3. SEA - Ernest Jones - 75.3

4. ARI - Akeem Davis-Gaither - 69.3

5. SEA Tyrice Knight - 64.8

CB:

1. ARI - Will Johnson - 77.9

2. SEA - Devon Witherspoon - 75.0

3. SEA - Cobie Durant - 70.3

4. LAR - Akhello Witherspoon - 67.0

5. ARI - Garrett Williams - 61.7

S:

1. ARI - Dadrion Taylor-Demerson - 76.2

2. LAR - Kamren Curl - 75.4

3. LAR - Quentin Lake - 68.1

4. SEA - Julain love - 62.3

5. LAR - Jaylen McCullough - 60.0

NFC West Defensive and Special Teams' Rankings:

Defense:

1. LAR - 2

2. SEA - 8

3. ARI - 18

4. SFO - 20

Run Defense:

1. SEA - 5

2. LAR - 6

3. SFO - 17

4. ARI - 24

Tackling:

1. LAR - 5

2. SFO - 11

3. ARI - 21

4. SEA - 29

Pass Rush:

1. LAR - 7

2. SEA - 11

3. SFO - 16

4. ARI - 18

Coverage:

1. LAR - 4

2. ARI - 11

3. SEA - 14

4. SFO - 17

Special Teams

1. SEA - 5

2. ARI - 8

3. SFO - 11

4. LAR - 30

Notes:

The Cardinals are grading and performing higher on defense that then are on offense. Plus, look at the NFC West teams DVOA on offense and defense chart:



Given their team rankings and DVOA number, isn't it amazing that the 49ers are 4-1?

What are you making of the Cardinals' defense after 4 games?

Comments

  1. Since 61October 3, 2025 at 9:48 PM

    Not amazing that the Niners are 4-1. Brilliant offensive coach who may be the best sequential play caller in the NFL. Petzing might be one of the worst and maybe the most predictable.
    Cards D after 4 games? Hasn't stopped explosive plays and has shown an inability to consistently stop the run too many missed tackles and breakdowns in coverage. The D scheme reverts to overly soft zone coverage in critical situations, particularly when protecting a lead.
    The D will continue to improve and has to put this underperforming offense on its back.

    ReplyDelete
  2. BurberryOctober 4, 2025 at 5:37 PM

    Rattler, Young, Mac J, Darnold—not quite a murderers row of qb. Now this week they get to go against a struggling rook. I’ve never seen a schedule as forgiving as the Cardinals. Defense has held up their end of the bargain imo. 3 years of coaching staff consistency, vet qb former no1 pick in the same program for all of it, everyone clear we’re all in this season and an extraordinarily soft schedule yet we look as bad offensively as as I’ve ever witnessed. If I hadn’t changed my entire perspective on the organization, I.e took off my rose colored lenses for good and employed an objective perspective with as little emotional attachment as possible, I’d be entirely discouraged. I’m still that haha but I saw it coming. Our offense was mediocre at best last year and Monti did nothing to improve it. I Couldn’t be less impressed with Monti’s evaluation chops and anytime I see the Rams top performers listed out, I’m reminded why that’s objectively a valid viewpoint. His 13 top 75/15 top 100 picks have been an abject failure as a whole so far. I was smitten when we finally got rid of Keim due to his drafting missteps. All I wanted was a guy with an elite eye for talent to come in and take the reins with an understanding if we drafted at an elite level everytbing else would take care of itself—-see Rams.

    ReplyDelete

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