Most Indispensable-NFC West

For the past couple of years, the NFC West has sent a team to the playoffs that not only represented the division well but threatened to bring back a title, claiming 2 Super Bowl teams in the last 5 years. Since the retirement of QB Kurt Warner, and the steady decline in Seattle, the division may send a new but familiar face to the playoffs as the 49ers may have the team to return to post season football. But which players on these teams are the most indispensable?

 Arizona Cardinals

 Scouts Inc-Larry Fitzgerald-WR

 My Pick:

 Not much I can say here in support of anyone else, as Larry Fitzgerald is clearly the only logical choice here. In an offense that has lost its premier Quarterback and "other" wide receiver Anquan Boldin, a new guy behind center will only hurt the success of this once feared offense. Add to that the consistent inability to run the ball, and you've got a team that could not withstand the loss of their star receiver. Whether it be Derek Anderson or Matt Leinart, the presence of Larry Fitzgerald still must be respected. Without that, a team that has struggled to run the ball may have to rely more on just that, running the ball.

 San Francisco 49ers

 Scouts Inc-Patrick Willis-LB

 My Pick:

 Again, I hate to go with the obvious but when a team has improved in the way the 49ers have on the defensive side of the ball, it would be tough to maintain this growth without the most important piece of that puzzle in the ballgame. That of course is Patrick Willis who may very well be the best Line backer in the game of football. This team has improved in each of the past 2 years, with much of the reason being the improvement of that defense. If the 49ers plan to meet expectations this year and take over this division, they'll need Patrick Willis making plays all over the field as has been the case the past 2 years. Losing that leadership would be catastrophic to an already young defense.

 St. Louis Rams

 Scouts Inc-Steven Jackson-RB

 My Pick:

 This may be the easiest division to select the leagues most indispensable as the St. Louis Rams also have 1 clear choice. Even if this list allowed the inclusion of quarterbacks, Steven Jackson may still claim this title. Steven is the most underrated back in the league and even when battling injuries, as he did much of the year last year, he's still a viable threat in that backfield. He's great carrying the football and would be equally as important as the check down option for potential starting quarterback Sam Bradford. With the rookie Quarterback looking more likely to start on opening day and the loss of down field threat Donnie Avery for the season, Steven Jackson may be a bigger part of this years offensive game plan than in years past.

 Seattle Seahawks

 Scouts Inc-Brandon Mebane-DT

 My Pick:

 Last year Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck struggled to stay on the football field as he was plagued with injuries much of the year, playing behind an offensive line that could almost be described as being dangerous for an already aging QB. Long gone are the days of being comfortable, knowing Walter Jones and Steve Hutchinson are protecting your blind side. Because of this lack of protection and the ongoing struggle to run the ball consistently, the Seahawks drafted an "elite" tackle. They cannot afford to continuously send out their quarterback without any legitimate protection and because of this I'll go with Russell Okung. As has been the case in years past with Joe Thomas and Jake Long, an elite Left Tackle being plugged in could show immediate results.