2014 Post Draft Predictions: NFC Edition

Around this time of the year is when training camp is about the start and the waiver wire is relatively quiet (not including teams signing draft picks). From here on out most teams will start to figure out which best 53-man will make their teams.  Before all of this happens, I’ll guess at who will become division winners based on how well they drafted and played Free Agency. I’ll also be guessing at who finishes at the bottom and who’ll be the NFC MVP as well as LVP (least valuable Player).

NFC East Winner: Washington Redskins

Every year there is a new head coach that takes his team to the playoffs, this year it will be Jay Gruden. Say what you want but I am starting to believe Robert Griffin III will have a breakout year.  Keep in mind that this guy, given all the talent he has in the world, IS STILL ONLY 24 YEARS OLD!!! Granted, even Andrew Luck struggled mightily in the playoffs last year. With another year removed from his surgery, we’ll a more poised, faster, and better RG3 in 2014.

NFC East Loser: New York Giants

I’m just not sure ignoring their defensive problems early in the draft is going to help their cause at all. Odell Beckham could turn into a nice player but they had a chance at guys like Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Aaron Donald or Darqueze Dennard. Even in the 2nd round they chose for a center instead of addressing issues with their DLine. They did draft a DT in Jay Bromley but they had a chance at a guy like Aaron Donald and they gave it up. I’m thinking it’ll come back and bite them. They play in a division where 2 of the top 5 rushing teams are in it (PHI, WAS). Gotta stop the run to win the division.

NFC South Winner: Atlanta Falcons

I am convinced that last year was just a fluke. The Falcons possess one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL when they are healthy and it will likely happen.  They have a good coach, good qb, and their D will get better (switching to a 3-4). Matt Ryan will have a good year again and the Falcons will surprise people. I also like what they did in the first 2 rounds of the draft (OT, DE).

NFC South Loser: Carolina Panthers

Letting Steve Smith walk was one of the strangest decisions I’ve seen in some time. He is the heart and soul of this offense. Now that he’s gone, in fact all but one WR returned from last year, will Cam Newton find his groove with his new WRs? My guess is that their offense will struggle at times this year where it will cost them games.

NFC North Winner: Green Bay Packers

Looking through the draft and FA’s of other NFC North teams, I am not convinced that they’ve done enough to dethrone the Packers this year. With a healthy Aaron Rodgers and returning the OROY in Eddie Lacy, their offense will look better this year. On Defense, they’ve shaken up things with bringing in Julius Peppers. They also return a few injured players from last year in Clay, Casey Hayward, and Jerel Worthy. Their defense should play better this year.

NFC North Loser:  Minnesota Vikings

There has been a trade. With the 32nd Pick of the 2014 Draft, the Minnesota Vikings Select Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville. That is something that we are going to be remembering for a long time, or at least we should. It could turn out to be a genius move or we can end up seeing another Christian Ponder like show at the QB position. Whatever happens, I know one thing for sure: the Vikings will struggle to win games this year if they do the same thing they did from last year, have no idea who their starting QB is or going to be. I like their FA class more than their draft class, and because of that, they might sneak up on the Bears or Lions, but I still think this team is at least 1-2 years away from competing.

NFC West Winner:  San Francisco 49ers

I get it, the Seahawks won the division last year and went on to win the Super Bowl after knocking out the 49ers in the NFC Championship game. I think the 49ers are a more explosive team on offense and they have the better front -7. As much as I dislike Caepernick, he still possess some problems for the Seahawks that they must figure out. I don’t buy all these media craze about the problems some of the players, AND even with head coach Jim Harbaugh. They’ll get it done this year.

NFC West Loser: St. Louis Rams

In all scenarios, this is likely a make-it-or-break-it year for Sam Bradford. Eversince the Rams took him with the 1st overall, he hasn’t lived up to expectations from an injury standpoint (which was the knock on him coming out).  He must stay healthy and prove to the organization that he is their future because he’s still just 26 years old. I just don’t see it happening. The Rams will enter the offseason with yet another top 10 pick.

NFC MVP: Aaron Rodgers

NFC LVP: Carson Palmer

NFC Best Team: San Francisco 49ers

NFC Worst Team: Carolina Panthers

NFC Wildcard Teams: Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints