Mid-Season All-NFC West Team

As part of our look back on the first half of the season, we’re breaking down every division and looking at the top performances from each position.

Here’s the NFC West, and links to the others:

Offense

Quarterback: Russell Wilson, SEA

Alex Smith looked set to have this position sewn up before his two horrible performances against the Giants and Seahawks made you realize the 49ers' offense, is instead, limited by him. Instead, Wilson has performed above expectations and finds himself looking like a Top 10 quarterback.

Running Back: Marshawn Lynch, SEA

While Frank Gore has impressed, Lynch has simply bulldozed his way to this spot. He’s already forced 28 missed tackles and is averaging 2.8 yards after contact per carry.

Fullback: Bruce Miller, SF

Michael Robinson may have the recognition, but Miller has been the best lead blocker in this division.

Tight End: Vernon Davis, SF

While hype has always followed Davis, this is comfortably the best we’ve ever seen him play. He's our second-ranked tight end and there isn’t an area of his game that it isn’t impressive.

Wide Receivers: Michael Crabtree, SF and Sidney Rice, SEA

No place for Larry Fitzgerald? That’s what the Arizona offense has done, with the perennial All-Pro only able to catch 57.7% of balls thrown to him. Instead, Crabtree and Rice have taken the opportunities afforded to them with more consistent play.

Tackles: Joe Staley, SF and Anthony Davis, SF

No surprise to see the 49ers' duo here, though if Russell Okung can cut out the penalties and play the way he has been recently, he may challenge. As far as the 49ers' tackles are concerned, they are as good as any pair in the league.

Guards: Mike Iupati, SF and Alex Boone, SF

Another clean sweep for the 49ers' and it’s not hard to see why — Boone and Iupati have mauled their way through many a defensive line. Like their tackle teammates, as good a tandem as any in the league.

Center: Jonathan Goodwin, SF

While Max Unger has impressed, it’s 5-for-5 for the 49ers in that they simply can’t be matched in the NFC West. Goodwin is playing as well as he ever has.

Defense

Defensive Ends: Calais Campbell (ARZ) and Chris Clemons (SEA)

It’s been another fine start for the impressive Campbell; our second ranked 3-4 defensive end on the year. He’s a more rounded player than ever before and it shows. His partner will be Clemons who isn’t the most reliable run defender, but his work as pass rushers includes causing 36 quarterback disruptions.

Defensive Tackle: Brandon Mebane (SEA) and Justin Smith (SF)

It’s cheating a bit to put Smith in at defensive tackle, but he plays there enough. His play has slipped from where it was at the past two years, but he’s still hard to handle. Mebane has been far more dominant (outside of a horrid performance against the 49ers) and already has 19 defensive stops on the year.

Linebackers: Daryl Washington (ARZ), NaVorro Bowman (SF) and Patrick Willis (SF)

What a trio of linebackers this would be. The 49ers duo both made our Mid-Season All Pro Team, and in the process kept Washington out of the lineup. That’s a player who has taken the quarterback down eight times already.

Cornerbacks: Richard Sherman (SEA) and Cortland Finnegan (SL)

While Patrick Peterson started the season off hot, and Tarell Brown is coming off a career game, the consistency of Sherman and Finnegan get them the nod. Sherman, who was also one of our Mid-Season All-Pros, has built on his fine rookie year, while Finnegan hasn’t let getting paid affect his performance.

Safeties: Dashon Goldson (SF) and Kerry Rhodes (ARZ)

Kam Chancellor may feel aggrieved, but Goldson has finally lived up to the hype this year with more consistent play. Meanwhile, Rhodes has started turning in the kind of performances we remember from his earlier Jet days.

Special Teams

Kicker: Greg Zuerlein (SL)

Punter: Andy Lee (SF)

Returner: Leon Washington (SEA)

Special Teamer: Byron Maxwell (SEA)

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