NFL 2015: The X-factor for all 32 teams
Aldon Smith – San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are facing an uphill battle to say the least in 2015. After watching Patrick Willis, Justin Smith and Chris Borland retire this offseason, the 49ers are going to be reliant more than ever on Aldon Smith to make a huge impact every week. Last year, Smith was suspended for the first nine games of the season and never got on track, recording only 15 tackles and two sacks.
Smith needs to come into 2015 with a renewed purpose and show that he is still one of the best outside linebackers in football. After looking like a world-beater with 33.5 sacks in his first two seasons, Smith has tapered off considerably with just 10.5 sacks combined in 2013 and 2014. If San Francisco is going to surprisingly contend in the brutal NFC West, Smith must return to his old form.
Cary Williams – Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are changing the look of their Legion of Boom a bit in 2015. After watching Byron Maxwell cash in with the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency, general manager John Schneider signed corner Cary Williams (who coincidentally played with the Eagles) to a three-year, $18 million contract. With Williams coming in, the Seahawks believe they will avoid a drop-off in production.
If you are a big believer in PFF, Seattle should be correct. Maxwell graded 45th of all corners with a -0.2 mark, while Williams finished 49th with a -1.0 score. Williams, 30, is a solid player who has bounced around a bit in his career, playing one year with the Tennessee Titans before enjoying the next four with the Baltimore Ravens (winning a Super Bowl in 2012), then going to Philadelphia for two campaigns. Williams’ main job is to make sure team aren’t picking on him constantly to avoid Richard Sherman.
Corey Peters – Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are one of the most intriguing teams headed into 2015. Head coach Bruce Arians is a bright, engaging fellow and the offense is loaded with exciting players with receivers Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and John Brown leading the parade. On defense, we see the return of inside linebacker Daryl Washington along with the continued maturation of Patrick Peterson.
However, no player could swing success or failure for Arizona more than nose tackle Corey Peters. After letting Dan Williams leave for the Oakland Raiders in free agency, general manager Steve Keim signed Peters to a three-year, $9.1 million deal. Last year, Peters ranked 34th of 81 defensive/nose tackles, per PFF. At 27 years old, Peters is entering his prime and could be the run-stuffer Arizona needs. Without a solid nose tackle in the 3-4, the defense has no shot.
Kenny Britt – St. Louis Rams
For what seems like forever, the St. Louis Rams have been a trendy pick to rise from the basement of the NFC West and make a run toward the postseason. Unfortunately, that has yet to happen since the Marc Bulger era of a decade ago. Yet, general manager Les Snead was bold this offseason, trading quarterback Sam Bradford to the Philadelphia Eagles for Nick Foles.
While the acquisition of Foles is terrific on paper, it means nothing without a solid supporting cast. On the outside, the Rams are limited but have veteran Kenny Britt to lead a young group. Britt doesn’t need to total 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns, but he has to be a consistent threat. Last year, Britt revived his career with 48 catches and 748 yards. If he can improve on those numbers a touch, Foles at least has a highly-touted rookie running back in Todd Gurley and a legitimate receiver in Britt to work with.