Training Camp Preview: NFC West

Thu Jul 10 2:30pm ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Walker could be huge if healthy

This is the fourth 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. The season is right around the corner.

49ers

The 49ers were a big disappointment last year after several great years of success. They had all sorts of injury issues, though, especially offensively. If that unit can stay healthy, a nice rebound season could be in store for San Francisco. Much of camp should be focused on Christian McCaffrey, who might be the best overall player in the game when healthy. So the 49ers will need him on the field for a full season if the team hopes to get back to big things once again. McCaffrey and his teammates get camp started July 15 at the SAP Performance Facility in Santa Clara, Calif.

Position battle: The 49ers don’t have a lot to sort out at their major positions but they do have a kicker battle on their hands. Jake Moody just hasn’t been great since becoming the 49ers kicker. He has been up and down. The 49ers brought in veteran Greg Joseph for competition for Moody. These two will battle out for the right to be the No. 1 kicker for the 49ers.

Injury watch: Brandon Aiyuk is returning from a major knee injury, tearing both his ACL and MCL. He is making good progress, though. He was hurt in October of last year, so he has been recovering for a bit now. There is a small chance he is ready for Week 1 but likely will be out a few weeks of the season before returning. This is an injury to watch because Aiyuk is now the clear top receiver in a good offense with Deebo Samuel gone. He can make a fantasy impact when healthy.

Rams

The Rams just win games, making the playoffs once again last season. The big change this offseason was at receiver, seeing them switch out Cooper Kupp for Davante Adams. This should be an upgrade because of Kupp’s injury issues the last few seasons, but it also could cause some tension with Adams used to being the top receiver in an offense. He has Puka Nacua now to compete with for targets. And Nacua is the top dog in this offense. It will be interesting to see how Adams handles that. It might be the storyline of camp for the Rams. The Rams start camp July 22 at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

Position battle: The Rams have a battle on their hands at tight end for the first time in a long time. Tyler Higbee has been the starter for a long time in Los Angeles, but the Rams brought in some competition for him this year, drafting Terrance Ferguson. He is a talented pass catcher than can stretch the field in a hurry. If Ferguson hopes to start, he will need to improve his work as a blocker. If that happens, he could unseat Higbee sooner than later.

Injury watch: Tight end Tyler Higbee was slow to recover from surgery on his knee and shoulder last offseason, which forced him to miss all but three games. He seems healthy for this year but is 32 years old and battled some injury issues in recent years. His health will be something to watch during camp. If he looks slowed at all, it could really hurt his chances to be the No. 1 tight end in Los Angeles.

Seahawks

The Seahawks made a lot of big changes offensively this offseason. This should be the story of camp. Seattle is without longtime receivers Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf. Jaxon Smith-Njigba takes over as the new No. 1 and Cooper Kupp was brought in to start alongside him. And the Seahawks also made a change at quarterback, bringing in Sam Darnold to be their starter. There is a lot of new offensively in Seattle, making it the storyline to watch. The offense and the rest of the team get it going July 15 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wash.

Position battle: The Seahawks are another team that addressed the tight end position during the draft, picking Elijah Arroyo in the second round. He should compete with Noah Fant immediately for the starting job in Seattle. Fant is the well established veteran but is pretty ho-hum at this stage of his career. If Arroyo can give the offense a spark, he will get a chance to start over Fant. But like many young tight ends, Arroyo will need to improve his blocking if he hopes to get the starter’s job.

Injury watch: Kenneth Walker suffered an ankle injury this offseason and has been limited in offseason practices. The Seahawks say it is minor but you have to be somewhat concerned based on his injury history. Walker always seems to be dealing with some sort of injury. You will want to make sure this ankle injury isn’t still lingering as training camp opens. He doesn’t need to be going into the season hurt.

Cardinals

The Cardinals missed out on the playoffs last season but had a respectable 8-9 record. The big story of camp might be the connection between Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr., who didn’t seem to be on the same page last year. This led to a disappointing season for Harrison in year one. He could end up being a great buy-low candidate for this year, though, if things start to click between Murray and Harrison. We will get to see these two in action starting July 22 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

Position battle: The Cardinals lack some top options at receiver behind Marvin Harrison Jr. He is the clear No. 1 but after that, there are a host of players looking to move up the depth chart and get consistent targets for the Cardinals. Michael Wilson started last year but he wasn’t overly impressive with his workload. He will need to show something in camp and preseason action if he hopes to continue to start. After him, you have Greg Dortch, Zay Jones and Xavier Weaver vying for playing time.

Injury watch: James Conner suffered a knee injury late last season and missed the final game. It seems the injury was pretty minor, though, and he should be a full go for training camp. Conner is 30 years old and has a ton of carries under his belt, so his health will be something to watch before the start of the season. You just never know with a back at this stage of his career.

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 jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

Training Camp Preview: NFC West

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