We move into our second-to-last divisional preview of the preseason as we head to the NFC West, a division that just three years ago was widely considered the best in football. After a couple of years of less dominant play, the NFC West now seems poised to jump back into power within the conference. There are so many storylines to follow: can the 49ers bounce back with a healthier roster, or will the Cardinals finally click after a few years of steady growth? All of this and more in the following article, so strap in because this one is going to be exciting.

Arizona Cardinals

Last Season Summary

As stated in the intro, the Cardinals are coming off a season that could be described as steady growth under head coach Jonathan Gannon. While an 8–9 record isn’t exactly a great season, the offense was reasonably solid, featuring a strong running game and a passing attack that showed signs of life, finishing 13th in the league in EPA per play.

To break it down further, after all the Kyler Murray turmoil last season, the Cardinals appear to be in a comfortable position with their high-pedigree play-caller, who totaled over 4,400 yards and 26 touchdowns, which is solid production by any standard.

The biggest disappointment of the season was their first-round pick Marvin Harrison Jr., a genuine generational prospect who many believed would enter the league as a top-seven player at his position. Even with a decent rookie season, many were underwhelmed by his output and hope he can turn it around this year.

Key Additions

Edge Josh Sweat
DL Calais Campbell
DL Dalvin Tomlinson
DL Walter Nolen (R)
CB Will Johnson (R)
Edge Jordan Burch (R)

Key Losses

OG Will Hernandez
LB Krys Barnes
LB Kyzir White
Edge Julian Okwara

Core Players

QB Kyler Murray
WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
RB James Conner
TE Trey McBride
OT Paris Johnson Jr.
Edge Josh Sweat
LB Zaven Collins
S Budda Baker

Season Preview

Offense: This unit is right up there with the Chicago Bears’ offense when it comes to being one of the most exciting groups to watch, thanks to the abundance of talent spread across the board. Everything begins and ends with their signal-caller, Kyler Murray. The 2019 first overall pick has flashed his all-world talent at times, but he has also been reasonably inconsistent. A huge boost for the former Sooner is that he is now two years removed from his knee injury and should be more willing to fully tap into his dual-threat abilities like he did early in his career.

Looking at the pass catchers, Murray will have an unbelievable group of weapons to distribute the ball to. The biggest name entering the season is the aforementioned Marvin Harrison Jr., who is looking to break out. The generational prospect clearly showed his physical traits on film, but a lack of chemistry with his quarterback held the duo back. The talent is undeniable, and with another full offseason under his belt, I expect a major jump from Harrison Jr.

Outside of him, the Cardinals boast the most athletically gifted tight end in the league in Trey McBride, who broke out last season at the NFL level. This coming year, I expect Arizona to prioritize getting their unicorn of a tight end into space with the ball in his hands and letting him dominate whoever lines up in front of him.

Shifting to the run game, you can’t talk about it without mentioning the heart and soul of the unit in former Steelers third-round pick James Conner. The veteran stayed healthy all of last year for the first time in a while and continued to run the ball efficiently, consistently keeping the chains moving. He’ll be running behind an offensive line that, in my opinion, ranks somewhere in the middle of the pack and should provide him with reasonable lanes to work with. The most exciting name up front is former top-10 pick Paris Johnson Jr., who has developed into a top-15 tackle in the NFL entering this season.

Defense: Defensively, this unit was fairly soft last year, mainly due to a lack of talent across the defensive line. The group lacked depth and impact players entering the 2024 season, and the results reflected that. This offseason, the Cardinals’ front office opened the war chest and invested heavily in the front seven in hopes of retooling a unit that needed significant upgrades.

The additions of Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell should provide much-needed size and strength in the middle of the line, which will no doubt help shore up the run defense. Furthermore, they added the most physically gifted defensive lineman in the 2025 draft class, Walter Nolen Jr., who might miss part of the early season due to injury but brings huge upside once he’s healthy.

Moving to the linebacking and edge group, their big offseason signing was Josh Sweat, who joins the team after notching 2.5 sacks in the Super Bowl for the Eagles and eight during the regular season as a rotational piece. They also have Zaven Collins, a bit of a Swiss Army knife who can play both on and off the ball at a solid level.

At the back end of the defense, the key cog remains Budda Baker, who has been the backbone of the unit for the better part of the last five years. With great instincts and the athleticism to make plays in the run game, Baker continues to be a foundational presence. For me, the most exciting addition to help him is second-round pick Will Johnson out of Michigan. Just 12 months ago, Johnson was projected as a potential top-three pick, but injuries caused him to slip. His pedigree and talent make him a potentially huge asset to the Cardinals’ secondary.

Best Future Bet: Marvin Harrison Jr. Over 925.5 Receiving Yards @ $1.75

As I’ve mentioned, this is a huge season for Marvin Harrison Jr., and I expect him to get force-fed targets early and often. With another offseason of work alongside Kyler Murray, their chemistry should be much improved, which should lead to higher-quality looks and, in turn, better production for the star wideout.

Status: Playoff Hopeful

Los Angeles Rams

Last Season Summary

Sean McVay led the Rams to a division championship with a 10–7 record and a playoff win over the Vikings in the first round. That same Vikings team went on to give the Eagles a tough battle in the divisional round against the eventual Super Bowl champions. The Rams are one of those teams that are always in and around the top of the league under their generational head coach, who in my opinion is the best in the league by a long shot.

The most exciting part of this Rams team is not their offense, which is consistently strong, but their defensive line, which developed into an elite unit across the board last season. In conclusion since winning the Super Bowl, the Rams experienced a brief dip in contention, but last season made it clear that they are ready to roll once again.

Key Additions

WR Davante Adams
DL Poona Ford
TE Terrance Ferguson (R)
Edge Josaiah Stewart (R)

Key Losses

WR Cooper Kupp
NT Bobby Brown III

Core Players

QB Matthew Stafford
WR Puka Nacua
WR Davante Adams
RB Kyren Williams
OG Kevin Dotson
DL Kobie Turner
DL Braden Fiske
Edge Byron Young
Edge Jared Verse
LB Zaven Collins
S Budda Baker

Season Preview

Offense: The Rams have an offensive mastermind behind everything they do in Sean McVay, which immediately raises the floor of the unit. However, the biggest concern heading into the season is the health of Matthew Stafford, who has been dealing with back injuries this preseason. If he is ready to go, the Rams should be poised for another strong offensive campaign. If not, it could be time to hit the panic button.

There is still reason for confidence, especially considering the elite pair of eligibles the Rams have at their disposal. The 2023 rookie sensation Puka Nacua has emerged as a Cooper Kupp 2.0 and will be a target magnet who generates an absurd amount of production as long as he stays healthy. Joining him this season is the dynamic Davante Adams, who makes the move after a disappointing stint with the Jets. Despite that, the former All-Pro remains a top-three route runner in the league and should be rejuvenated as he enters his first season on the West Coast in McVay’s formidable system.

Rounding out the playmakers is another example of how good the Rams are at finding late-round gems. Third-year running back Kyren Williams, out of Notre Dame, has been the perfect weapon for McVay to deploy from the backfield and will once again enter the season as the clear favorite to lead the running back group. Williams should also be a fantasy favorite again this year. What is exciting for him is that he will be running behind a solid offensive line, anchored by one of the best interior run-blocking duos in the league in Kevin Dotson and Steve Avila.

Defense: We’ve already touched a bit on the Rams’ defensive line, but now it’s time for a deep dive into a unit that has rebounded as well as Rodman since losing Aaron Donald. Starting from the inside out, the anchor is 2023 third-round pick Kobie Turner, who is coming off a dominant eight-sack season and has clearly emerged as a difference-maker in the middle of the defense.

Next to him is one of two Seminoles drafted by the Rams last year, Braden Fiske, who entered the league as an undersized but elite athlete at the interior position. In his rookie season, he quickly silenced any size-related concerns, racking up 8.5 sacks. His underlying metrics were just as impressive, including a 13.2 percent pressure rate on pass plays.

Moving to the edge, the Rams found another gem from that 2023 draft class in Byron Young. The former third-rounder has become a key contributor through his first two NFL seasons. However, the headliner of the group is Jared Verse, the Rams’ only first-round pick in years prior to the 2024 class. Verse won Defensive Rookie of the Year in the 2024–25 season. While his 4.5 sacks might not jump off the stat sheet, the level of disruption he causes is elite. It’s only a matter of time before his production matches the chaos he creates on the field.

As for the back end of the defense, they earn a passing grade entering the season. While there are no clear difference-makers in the secondary, the group plays better as a cohesive unit than they do as individual pieces. If they can continue to fly around and play fast behind the dominant front, they should hold up well enough to contribute to a strong overall defense.

Best Future Bet: Rams To Win The NFC West @ $2.75

This one is solely reliant on Matthew Stafford staying healthy, and if we hear otherwise, go ahead and throw this one out the window. However, I’m extremely bullish on the rest of the Rams’ roster and coaching staff. Even in a talented division, I think that with good health, they have a strong chance at topping the NFC West.

Status: Contender

Seattle Seahawks

Last Season Summary

The Seahawks became the first team since 2020 to win double-digit games and still miss the playoffs, wrapping up a somewhat promising first year under new head coach Mike Macdonald. Even with a solid season, the Seahawks had plenty to work on, as both their offense and defense hovered around the middle of the league without standing out in any specific area. That’s a decent foundation for growth, but the Seahawks will need to take clear strides forward if they want to be among the best in their division once again.

Key Additions

QB Sam Darnold
WR Cooper Kupp
Edge Demarcus Lawrence
OL Grey Zabel (R)
S Nick Emmanwori (R)
TE Elijah Arroyo (R)
QB Jalen Milroe (R)

Key Losses

QB Sam Darnold
WR Tyler Lockett
WR DK Metcalf
OT George Fant
G Laken Tomlinson

Core Players

QB Matthew Stafford
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
WR Cooper Kupp
RB Kenneth Walker III
OT Charles Cross
DL Leonard Williams
Edge DeMarcus Lawrence
Edge Boye Mafe
CB Devon Witherspoon
CB Riq Woolen
S Julian Love

Season Preview

Offense: The Seahawks have undergone major turnover at several key positions on offense, and head coach Mike Macdonald must believe these changes will help better execute his vision. The first big shift came at quarterback, as Geno Smith was lured to Las Vegas by Tom Brady, with Seattle receiving draft capital in return. To fill the vacancy, the Seahawks brought in former Vikings starter Sam Darnold, who revitalized his career last season after taking over when J.J. McCarthy was injured during training camp. Darnold looked like a reliable game manager, showing the ability to operate from the pocket effectively when placed in a stable environment.

That environment will look quite different from what Geno Smith had last season. Darnold’s top wideout will be former first-round pick Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who broke out last year as a pro. After trading DK Metcalf to the Steelers, the Seahawks brought in former triple crown winner Cooper Kupp, who should serve as a dependable and versatile safety blanket for Darnold this season.

Beyond those two established names, there are a pair of rookies to watch. Elijah Arroyo is a receiving-focused tight end with an impressive athletic profile, highlighted by his explosiveness. The other name to know is Colorado State product Tory Horton, one of college football’s most productive receivers last season and a real threat after the catch.

While Kenneth Walker III remains a strong option at running back, the concern for Seattle lies with the offensive line. Even with the selection of Grey Zabel in the first round of this year’s draft, the unit is still projected to be one of the weaker groups in the league, especially in terms of pass protection.

Defense: We discussed how the Seahawks defense was middle of the pack last year. They were solid against the pass but slightly below average when defending the run. Heading into this season, it seems they are doubling down on pass defense, making targeted additions to bolster their pass rush and improve their front.

Looking at the key names on the defensive line, it starts with Leonard Williams, who is coming off an 11-sack season after his first full year in front of the 12th Man. Alongside him is former first-round pick Byron Murphy Jr. out of Texas, who has developed into a disruptive force. His production hasn’t quite matched his impact yet, but that could change this season. The marquee signing on defense was 33-year-old Demarcus Lawrence, who joins the Seahawks after spending a decade in Dallas. He is coming off a season where he only played 4 games, so the key for the former Cowboy is to stay fit out of the gate.

On the second level, the Seahawks seem to have found a promising piece in rookie Tyrice Knight, who is coming off a solid debut campaign. Inside linebacker is notoriously one of the toughest positions to transition into from college, so his early success is encouraging.

The secondary is where the real star power resides. Leading the way is former top-five pick Devon Witherspoon, who after just two years in the league might already be the best player on the roster. He looks like a throwback to the Legion of Boom and plays with that same edge and physicality. His main partner in the secondary is athletic standout Riq Woolen, who has been a splash-play machine since entering the league, even if his consistency in lockdown coverage hasn’t quite reached the level of his rookie year.

This defensive unit has the talent to be a top-12 group in the NFL, in my opinion. If the Seahawks are going to make a real push this season, the defense may need to do some heavy lifting early on while the newly assembled roster builds chemistry and finds its rhythm.

Best Future Bet: Sam Darnold Over 3400.5 Regular Season Passing yards @ $1.83

Status: Playoff hopeful

San Francisco 49ers

Last Season Summary

The 49ers found themselves in uncharted territory last year, hitting rock bottom under superstar head coach Kyle Shanahan with a disappointing 6–11 finish. Their season was absolutely ravaged by injuries, with key players like Brandon Aiyuk, Christian McCaffrey, and Nick Bosa all missing time. That wave of injuries derailed the season before it ever really got started, and for many, it felt like a throwaway year for what is usually one of the league’s most star-studded rosters.

Will they be able to rebound? That remains to be seen. But let’s dive in and add some context to what could be a rejuvenated roster for Shanahan, who for all his abilities does have his seat warming up from outside pressure.

Key Additions

Edge Bryce Huff
Edge Mykel Williams (R)
DL Alfred Collins (R)

Key Losses

RB Jordan Mason
WR Deebo Samuel
OT Jaylon Moore
OG Aaron Banks
DL Javon Hargrave
Edge Leonard Floyd
LB Dre Greenlaw
CB Charvarius Ward
S Talanoa Hufanga

Core Players

QB Brock Purdy
WR Brandon Aiyuk
TE George Kittle
OT Trent Williams
Edge Nick Bosa
LB Fred Warner

Season Preview

Offense: Like the Rams, the 49ers have a certain raised floor on their offensive unit due to the mastery of their play-caller and head coach Kyle Shanahan. He’s a certified trendsetter in the NFL. Even if sometimes he is too smart for his own good, he generally gives his players the best chance to produce at the NFL level.

One of the keys for the 49ers will be how good Brock Purdy can be when he doesn’t have positive matchups across the park from a weapon and offensive line standpoint. This is because we all know how good of a game manager he is, but now in the offense this upcoming season, Purdy will have to become a legit guy and elevate the talent around him.

One welcome addition back will be superstar running back Christian McCaffrey, who after having calf issues all of last season seems to be completely healthy entering the season. If he is able to stay fit, McCaffrey could be argued to be the most complete running back in the NFL, where he is a dominant runner and elite in the pass game. But whether he has the same juice he once had prior to these injuries remains to be seen.

Moving to the wideouts, the Niners moved off longtime producer Deebo Samuel, who with waning athletic ability became less of a dynamic weapon in their horizontal offense. They have a core of Brandon Aiyuk, Jauan Jennings, and Rickey Pearsall, who all have questions entering the new season. To begin with, Aiyuk is a stud and always has been, but he is rumored to be out until at least Week 6. Jauan Jennings is a solid contributor and fits in the Shanahan system very well, however he also is dealing with injury concerns. This will leave sophomore Rickey Pearsall to be the de facto number one receiver entering the season. After a rookie year full of flashes, he did miss time due to some very unfortunate circumstances. A lot of hope will fall on the second-year player to pick up the heavy lifting.

Speaking of heavy lifting, I can’t believe I’ve gone this long without mentioning the heartbeat of the whole team in George Kittle, who is aging like fine wine in the NFL. Alongside Pearsall in the early stages of this season, expect Kittle to be featured and see plenty of the ball.

Regarding the offensive line, they are a unit that, other than 37-year-old Hall of Famer Trent Williams, have a lot to prove to us on a pro level before we can count on them to be a competent unit. So the maturation of that group will be one to keep a very close eye on.

Defense: Defensively, this used to be one of the most feared units in the NFL. However, with all of the recent outgoings, that is no longer the case. There are two players on that side of the ball who are really worth talking about, so I’ll begin with them.

The first is their perennial All-Pro pass rusher Nick Bosa, who might not always put up freakish numbers, but the havoc he causes is something that cannot be understated when discussing what he brings to the unit. His superstar partner on defense sits just behind him and patrols the middle of the field for the Niners. That man is Fred Warner, the best off-ball linebacker in the league. He is the definition of a sideline-to-sideline linebacker who creates splash plays for fun, whether it’s in the air or on the ground.

Outside of those two, there is a lack of top-end talent, which is a major contrast from the rosters Shanahan took to the Super Bowl in the past. Looking for upside beyond Bosa on the line, the best bet is their first-round pick from 2025, Mykel Williams, who is no doubt a height-weight-speed freak. However, his pass rush toolbox still lacks polish and refinement.

To round out the entire unit, the secondary projects to be average at best unless someone truly breaks out. The only name I’m keeping tabs on is former Florida State man-to-man specialist Renardo Green. After taking some time to adjust to the NFL level, he flashed real potential toward the back end of the 2024 season. If he can take another step, he could become a genuine professional corner that can be tasked with blanketing opposing No. 1 wide outs.

Best Future Bet: 49ers Under 10.5 Regular Season Wins @ $1.75

Man, it’s hard to bet against Shanahan, but I just don’t see the vision with this team when it comes to the trenches. For every good 49ers team under this regime, they’ve had a dominant line on both sides of the ball. Even with all their attacking weapons, I struggle to see this team dominating in a tough division.