Training Camp Preview: NFC West

Thu Jul 22 10:54am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Green looks to make an impact


This is the final preview in a series of training camp previews. The previews give you a quick look at each team, going over position battles and injuries to watch in camp. And for this season, all training camps will open at the same time with the exception of three teams. Camp will open Tuesday, July 27 for 29 of the 32 NFL teams. The Steelers and Cowboys will open July 21 because they play in the preseason Hall of Fame Game. And lastly, the Bucs got an exemption to open early because they have the first game of the regular season on a Thursday night. Tampa gets their camp started July 24. The season is right around the corner.

Rams

The big news this offseason was the Rams getting Matthew Stafford to take over as their starting quarterback. Stafford will be the focus of this training camp, looking to take this offense to a new level. Stafford and his teammates will get things going at the Microsemi Field in Irvine, Calif.

Position battle: The Rams lost Josh Reynolds this offseason, leaving a hole at the No. 3 receiver spot. Veteran DeSean Jackson is the top candidate to fill that spot. He has played just seven games the last two seasons, though, so nothing is a given with him. Van Jefferson is the top competition for Jackson. He played pretty well with his chances last year and is a young player with some upside. Don’t discount Jefferson to win the job. This will be a competition.

Injury watch: Matthew Stafford played every game last year but was beat up and came out of a few games early. He also missed half the season the year before. So he has endured a few injury issues the last two years. This is a little concern, especially if you consider he is 33 years old. Stafford will be a player to watch this training camp for various reasons.

Cardinals

Arizona had just a so-so season last year, going 8-8. Expectations were high for the team but they didn’t quite reach them because of some uneven play and a very good division. The Cardinals will look to take a step forward this year. Much of the season might depend on the development of Kyler Murray. He has been a little inconsistent to start his career. If Murray can take his game to a new level, the Cardinals could be a very dangerous team this year. Arizona trains at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

Position battle: The Cardinals signed A.J. Green this offseason, hoping he still has a little something left in the tank. Green won’t be handed the starting job opposite DeAndre Hopkins, though. He will need to show he can still play at a high level and be a productive NFL starter. Christian Kirk will compete with Green for the right to start. Kirk hasn’t had that breakout season just yet but been competing with Larry Fitzgerald for targets. He could get a lot more looks if he wins that starting job. Kirk has some breakout potential.

Injury watch: James Conner was signed this offseason to bring in some competition for Chase Edmonds at running back. Conner has not done much in recent seasons and battled injury those seasons. He is yet to play a full season in the NFL and hasn’t looked quite like himself in recent years. If he can come back healthy and strong, Conner could play a big role in the Cardinals offense.

49ers

The 49ers made some moves this offseason to try to improve on their disappointing season. The big move was drafting quarterback Trey Lance. He should be the big storyline in camp, seeing if the 49ers made the right move by taking Lance. The rookie will get a chance to show his stuff at the San Francisco 49ers Complex in Santa Clara, Calif.

Position battle: The 49ers say this isn’t a competition but the team didn’t use a first-round pick on Trey Lance to just sit him on the bench. He will compete for the starting job with Jimmy Garoppolo. He might not have the job to open the year but it might be his before long, especially if he shows well in camp and preseason action. Lance is the future at the position and has a high ceiling if he can find the field for the 49ers.

Injury watch: Raheem Mostert played just eight games last year. He played well when on the field, but couldn’t stay on the field. Mostert can play a big role in this offense if he can stay healthy, but his health is a concern. Mostert has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career. His injury issues make him a boom or bust fantasy player. You will want to make sure he stays heathy during camp before using a draft pick on him this year.

Seahawks

Seattle won the division last year but didn’t advance in the playoffs. Much of the same team is back from last year. If the Seahawks had a weakness last year, it was an inconsistent pass defense. That unit will need to get better if Seattle hopes to be a more complete team. So the storyline of camp for the Seahawks might be on the defensive side of the ball. The offense should be very good once again with Russell Wilson leading the way. Seattle holds training camp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash.

Position battle: The Seahawks have their starting tight end spot up for grabs. Gerald Everett is the favorite to start for the team but has Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson to compete with for the job. Dissly has showing flashes of good things with past chances but Everett is likely the more talented. Everett has done a pretty good job in recent seasons with the Rams. He can be a big-play threat in the passing game. 

Injury watch: Chris Carson is back with the Seahawks to serve as their lead back once again. He has been very good in that role but is yet to play a full season in the NFL. He missed four games last year because of injury. Carson is a great back but won’t reach his fantasy potential if he doesn’t play a full season. You will want to monitor his health in camp to make sure he is at full strength and ready to put in a full season.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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