Previewing NFC West & A Super-Deep Sleeper From The Rams

Corum ran only 116 routes last year with 0.31 yards per route run, which is poor efficiency; the source does not expect camp buzz about increased receiving work to materially change his role, as his limited rookie receiving profile suggests he won't suddenly become a pass-game contributor despite his year-two role expansion in carries.

The source is monitoring Carson Beck's development and preseason performance, noting that if Beck gets significant playing time this year, it would be negative for the Cardinals' pass catchers relative to Brissett. Young quarterbacks tend to hold the ball longer, take higher sack rates, and scramble more, which would reduce the volume and efficiency of the passing game compared to Brissett's pocket-passing approach.

Kirk is a secondary receiver for the 49ers; the source notes that Houston's December and playoff performance last year (where Kirk was productive) suggests he can be a reliable secondary option when the 49ers need him, though his role remains secondary to the primary receivers.

McCaffrey led the league in touches last year and is described as a really old back; the source expresses concern about the lack of a clear handcuff option, as neither Jordan James nor Kaelin Black has a strong receiving profile comparable to McCaffrey's elite pass-game role, creating significant injury risk.

Adams finished WR7 with under 800 receiving yards but led the league in receiving touchdowns; the source notes this creates a valuation puzzle—the Rams offense is expected to be elite, which should support touchdown upside, but Adams is 34 years old and showed age on vertical routes last year, struggling with high air-yard targets while excelling in red zone and goal-line work where the Rams leaned on him repeatedly.

In PPR formats, the source would consider taking Adams in the fourth round of a 12-team draft given the Rams' offensive potential, though the decision depends on earlier picks; in standard leagues, he likely won't last that long. The core question is whether his 2024 touchdown total will recur given his age and declining vertical ability.

Seahawks receiver mentioned as the clear lead receiver in the offense (Jackson Smith-Njigba reference suggests he is the primary target). Source notes that Torrey Horton and Rashid Shaheed are competing for secondary receiver roles behind Metcalf.

Seahawks running back ranked in the 50s among RBs by the source, representing a late-round pick (14th round range). Wilson filled in for Josh Jacobs in Green Bay at times. Source notes he doesn't profile as a great athlete with significant upside. In the context of the Seahawks backfield, Wilson is one of several depth options behind Jadarian Price and Zach Charbonnet. Ben Gretsch notes that if Wilson doesn't receive much attention during training camp while Price dominates the conversation, it would suggest Price is the clear lead option. Wilson is unlikely to be drafted in most leagues and represents minimal draft capital risk.

Seahawks young in-house running back solution who has received positive buzz despite limited offensive production (primarily special teams and depth RB). Ben Gretsch expresses skepticism about whether the positive offseason talk is genuine or 'offseason fluff.' Gretsch suggests that if Helani stops receiving attention as training camp progresses and the focus shifts entirely to Jadarian Price, it would indicate Price is the clear lead option and Helani's buzz was merely promotional. Helani is unlikely to be drafted and represents a monitoring situation rather than a draft target.

The source is skeptical of optimism surrounding Kittle's return from a late-season Achilles tear, noting that while rehab reports will be positive, the real question is whether he can maintain his historical efficiency and explosiveness within a year of the injury. The source emphasizes that six to eight months removed from a January Achilles tear is not enough time to guarantee he'll have the quick-twitch ability and explosiveness that defined his elite production. The source is pessimistic enough to avoid drafting him despite ranking him TE12, and advises ignoring team optimism if you're skeptical about his ability to return to form.

The source is tracking whether Jacoby Brissett will remain the Cardinals' starting quarterback or if Carson Beck will get significant playing time. Brissett has been seeking a new contract all offseason and the source is monitoring whether he will hold out into camp. The source notes that Brissett's willingness to stand in the pocket and throw the ball frequently (resulting in 50 more targets to McBride than any other tight end) is a key factor for the Cardinals' pass catchers. If Beck gets significant buzz and playing time, it would be negative for the passing game as young quarterbacks tend to hold the ball longer and take more sacks.

Seahawks first-round pick (end of first round) competing for backfield work in a crowded situation. The source notes Price is a fascinating prospect who was the 1B backup to Jeremiah Love in college, effective as a kick returner and with the ball in his hands. Key question is whether Seahawks believe he can be a workhorse and get significant volume. Ben Gretsch notes that early work in training camp would be a positive signal, as young players typically earn more time as seasons progress. However, Gretsch is cautious about reading too much into team commentary, noting the Seahawks are coming off a Super Bowl championship and unlikely to say negative things about Price. The situation is complicated by Zach Charbonnet's ACL recovery (expected to extend into season), Emmanuel Wilson's presence (ranked 50s among RBs by source), and George Helani's recent positive buzz. Source expects Price to be drafted based on draft capital alone, but actual role clarity may not emerge until in-season.

The source notes that the Cardinals restructured Connor and is tracking whether he remains the lead back or is released/traded. If Connor is let go, the source believes it could impact another team's backfield, as he is a respected veteran around the league. The source is monitoring Cardinals camp to see if Connor retires or if the team moves him.

The source acknowledges the paradox of Love: drafted in the top five of the NFL draft but immediately depressed in fantasy rankings because he lands with the Cardinals, a team the market has decided is hopeless. The source notes that people are convinced the team will be terrible but also convinced Love is the greatest prospect ever. The source has Love ranked RB17 and is open to elevating him if he gets strong camp buzz, though acknowledges it may be unrealistic for him to generate that kind of hype while splitting reps with three other running backs. The source sees a world where strong intra-squad drills and controlled scrimmages could move Love's ADP into the second round.

Jordan James played only three offensive snaps last year and did not get a touch in the regular season; he received six carries in garbage time during a 41-6 playoff loss to the Seahawks and caught one pass, totaling minimal exposure. The 49ers are discussing him as a potential number-two option, but his lack of receiving profile and minimal playing time make him an unreliable handcuff for McCaffrey.

Kaelin Black was drafted in the second round (33rd overall) and is widely considered a reach and overdraft; his profile is not strong, and critically, he lacks a significant receiving profile—a major concern given that Christian McCaffrey is the preeminent receiving running back of his generation. If McCaffrey goes down, Black may not be able to replicate the passing-game work, making him an unreliable handcuff.

The source is higher on Kyron Williams than Blake Corum for the Rams backfield; Kyron ran 350 routes last year (vs. Corum's 116), was meaningfully more efficient as a receiver (0.31 yards per route run for Corum vs. Kyron's superior efficiency), and is valued as a pass blocker. The source expects upward draft pressure on Corum due to positive camp buzz, but believes Kyron's receiving work and efficiency make him more valuable for fantasy.

The source is skeptical of Marvin Harrison's ability to produce despite his high draft pedigree (15th overall two years ago). The source notes that Michael Wilson outproduced Harrison last year and that Harrison looks worse on film than even his stats suggest, with the source believing some of his production is forced to avoid looking completely bad. However, the source acknowledges uncertainty and leaves open the possibility that Harrison could eventually live up to his draft capital as he ages, though the source has a hard time seeing it. The source ranks Harrison and Wilson relatively close, leaning slightly toward Harrison but without strong conviction.

The source notes that Michael Wilson was simply better than Marvin Harrison last year, producing more despite Harrison's higher pedigree and injuries. Wilson had an 18-target game and two more 15-target games, and had a real connection with quarterback Kobe Brissett. The source ranks Wilson and Harrison relatively close but is leaning slightly toward Harrison, indicating Wilson is undervalued relative to his actual 2025 production. The source emphasizes that the QB-wide receiver connection is important and that Wilson's connection with Brissett is a positive factor.

Evans is a new addition to the 49ers receiver room; the source provides no specific analysis of his role or projection but notes the 49ers' general opacity regarding receiver usage and deployment.

Seahawks receiver signed to a new contract in the offseason after limited production with Seattle following his trade from New Orleans. Source ranks him 63rd among receivers, slightly behind Torrey Horton (57th). Ben Gretsch notes that while he is not super optimistic on Shaheed, the Seahawks' decision to sign him to a new contract and find a real role for him suggests he will have a legitimate role in the offense. Gretsch references Mike Tomlin's quote about it being hard to board a moving train, noting the Seahawks went through the entire offseason and decided to invest in Shaheed. Source notes Shaheed did not run many crisp intermediate routes in New Orleans or early with Seattle, but he is an explosive player who could become a Jamison Williams-type if circumstances align. Source will need to monitor whether Shaheed emerges as the clear receiver or if Horton's health allows him to maintain his ranking advantage.

The source notes Pearsall had a much more interesting year two than his zero-touchdown stat line suggests; his ADOT was higher, targets per route run were higher, and he was earning more volume at deeper depth with more room for yardage. His yards per target and yards per route run both increased by more than half a yard, indicating a breakout trajectory before injury. The source is optimistic on him as a value if he gets a quiet August with no injury drama, believing people will be hoodwinked by bad stats and a frustrating season.

Pearsall has looked very good when healthy but has struggled with availability over two years; the source cautions against overreacting to his zero touchdowns last year, noting that fantasy analysts tend to overweight single-season touchdown totals (similar to the Devante Adams discussion), and expects positive camp chatter without major role changes.

Second-year Rams tight end ranked 19th at the position by the source; currently ranked as a super-deep sleeper due to impressive film despite minimal usage (12 catches as a rookie, 11 regular season). Ferguson displayed elite playmaking ability on tape: Week 10 vs. 49ers, he motioned from slot, beat LB Luke Gifford with a post-fake and shove, creating separation for a 32-yard gain; Week 16 vs. Seahawks, he cut upfield against LB Drake Thomas for a 27-yard gain; Week 17 vs. Falcons, he beat safety Xavier Watts on a hitch-and-go for a 27-yard over-the-shoulder grab. Half his catches were 20+ air yards. The source notes Ferguson is fast and shifty at the top of routes, and on film looked comparable to Puka Nakua. Role change would be required for fantasy relevance given Colby Parkinson (8 TDs), Tyler Higbee, and second-round pick Max Clair also on roster; however, the source suggests Ferguson may function as a slot receiver rather than traditional tight end, potentially reducing 13-personnel usage. Source will monitor September developments closely.

Ferguson is a second-year tight end with strong rookie efficiency (high aDOT, strong yardage-TD efficiency on 12 catches) who the source ranks inside the top 20 tight ends despite limited volume; the Rams have a history of using August buzz to signal real role changes (Kyron Williams, Blake Corum), and Ferguson could emerge as a matchup piece in 13 personnel packages if he gets camp buzz, making him a late-round target with potential year-two breakout upside.

The source describes Horton as an explosive player who runs crisp intermediate routes and has the potential to become a Jamison Williams-type playmaker if healthy; however, health status remains unclear and secretive, which could significantly impact his upside.

The source is most interested in tracking Benson's situation in Cardinals camp, noting he was starting to earn more work from Connor before Connor's injury and was efficient when given opportunities. Benson had a 5.5 yards per carry rate last year with interesting peripherals including evasion rate and yards after contact in year two. The source believes if Benson is traded or released, he could be pretty interesting in a different backfield, and is tracking whether the Cardinals keep all four running backs or move him elsewhere.

The source notes that Trey McBride had 50 more targets than any other tight end last year, indicating absurd target volume. This volume was driven by Kobe Brissett's willingness to throw the ball frequently from the pocket. The source emphasizes that if Brissett remains the quarterback, McBride will continue to benefit from high target volume and optimism, but if Carson Beck gets significant playing time, it could be negative for McBride's production as young quarterbacks tend to hold the ball longer and take more sacks.

Seahawks running back dealing with late-season ACL tear that is expected to extend into the 2026 season. Ben Gretsch notes the rehab timeline is very late and suggests the injury recovery may carry into the regular season. Charbonnet's availability and role clarity are key variables in the Seahawks backfield situation, though his recovery status could change during training camp.