Preseason Watch List: NFC West

Photo: USA Today Sports

ARIZONA CARDINALS

The Arizona Cardinals head back to the University of Phoenix Stadium with a sense of stability after an impressive 10-6 season under first year head coach Bruce Arians. It's rare to miss the playoffs with a 10-6 record, but the Cardinals were in the ultra-competitive NFC West; a division that doesn't appear any easier this year. On defense, Todd Bowles produced a near-elite unit (7th in points allowed, 6th in yards allowed) last year and will look to build off last year's success. On offense, there's more room for improvement as the team finished a middling 16th in points scored and ranked near the league's basement (27th) in rushing yards per attempt. 

Preseason Game Schedule

• Aug 9 -- Houston 8:30 pm
• Aug 16 -- @Minnesota 8:30 pm
• Aug 24 -- Cincinnati 8:00 pm
• Aug 28 -- @San Diego 10:00 pm

What We're Watching

• Is Carson Palmer the answer at quarterback? -- Carson Palmer is a popular fantasy sleeper this year thanks to his 4,272 yards passing (63% completion rate) yet the 34 year old wasn't perfect -- he only threw 24 touchdowns and nearly matched that with 22 interceptions. Palmer needs to be more consistent, and that means giving him more time in the pocket (sacked 41 times in 2013) to allow his dynamic pair of receivers more time to get downfield. 
• Did Arizona do enough to fix the offensive line? -- The Cardinals believe they've solved their left tackle problem with the addition of Jared Veldheer from the Raiders. Left guard also looks to be massively improved as Jonathan Cooper -- last year's first round pick -- returns from injury after a lost rookie season. Yet the right side is full of questions. Bradley Sowell and Bobby Massie enter training camp on even footing for the right tackle job. Right guard is equally competitive between veteran Paul Fanaika and 2nd year Earl Watford.
• Can Andre Ellington be a feature back? -- Fantasy owners are betting on the 2nd year dynamo as a top end fantasy RB2, which is a far cry from a season ago when the (then) rookie 6th rounder was fighting for a spot in a multi-RB rotation. Ellington was electric last year (5.5 yards per carry) and has won over HC Bruce Arians. A strong camp could see Ellington vault into the 2nd round of August drafts. 
• Is Michael Floyd better than Larry Fitzgerald? -- Larry Fitzgerald remains a dangerous all-around receiver, but some believe Michael Floyd is ready to claim the top spot on the depth chart in his third season. Floyd led the Cardinals with 1,041 yards last year and is a more dynamic vertical threat at this point in his career. He'll still have to improve his route running and ball skills in order to dethrone Fitzgerald; but the Cardinals have a nice problem on their hands deciding which outside receiver deserves top billing. 
• Can the defense recover from its linebacking losses? -- It was bad enough when Karlos Dansby left in free agency, but Daryl Washington's season-long suspension removes the Cardinals two best interior playmakers. Kevin Minter should fill in admirably but can veteran Larry Foote approximate Washington's talents? If not, is there a Plan B? 

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

It's hard to top what the Seahawks accomplished in 2013. The young team finished the season 13-3 in spite of playing in arguably the toughest division in football, and then rolled to a Super Bowl championship that included a 43-8 drubbing of the favorite Denver Broncos. Seattle's defense returns all of the key pieces from last year's #1 unit. On offense, the Seahawks ranked 17th in yards gained but were highly efficient -- 8th in points scored. There is reason to think team's offense can take another step forward as Russell Wilson enters his third season and Percy Harvin (hopefully) finds a way to stay on the field. 

Preseason Game Schedule

• Aug 7 -- @Denver 9:00 pm
• Aug 15 -- San Diego 10:00 pm
• Aug 22 -- Chicago 10:00 pm
• Aug 28 -- @Oakland 10:00 pm

What We're Watching

• Will Seattle open up the passing game? -- It's hard to envision the Seahawks making major changes to their game script after last year's championship run, but there are certainly reasons to think Darrell Bevell might increase Russell Wilson's workload. Wilson has passed every test with flying colors and unless the defense can remain historically dominant, the Seahawks may need to throw more if they want to return to the top of the NFC. 
• Integrating Percy Harvin -- Percy Harvin signed a six-year, $67mm contract last season and then effectively missed the entire regular season. He returned in the playoffs and scored twice in the Super Bowl (once as a receiver, once a kick returner) to remind Seahawks fans of what they were supposed to get last September. Now healthy, Harvin should immediately step in as the Seahawks top receiver. If he's healthy and productive throughout the preseason, Harvin's ADP will jump another round or two. 
• Who else is going to catch the ball? -- It was a wise move for Seattle to bring back Doug Baldwin (50 receptions for 778 yards and 5 TDs) particularly with Golden Tate leaving via free agency. Beyond Baldwin and Harvin, the team enters camp hoping Sidney Rice can shake his persistent injuries. If not, Jermaine Kearse has an opportunity to grab the #3 job. A pair of rookies -- Kevin Norwood and Paul Richardson Jr -- can blow the top off defenses but will need eye-popping preseasons to work into the rotation. 
• Is Marshawn Lynch really going to share more carries? -- Lynch has fallen out of the 1st round in fantasy drafts in part because of a perception -- perpetuated by Seattle beat writers -- that Christine Michael is going to be given a heavier workload at Lynch's expense. Yet we've not heard any proclamations to corroborate that view from either Bevell or Pete Carroll. 
• Putting Dan Quinn's imprint on the defense -- When your defense ranks 1st in points allowed, and then adds the likes of Antoine Winfield, Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril, it's hard to imagine changing things but Pete Carroll didn't stand pat after DC Gus Bradley left for Jacksonville. New coordinator Dan Quinn is implementing a far more aggressive system, and will have his secondary play more man coverage -- big changes for a defense that is already Super Bowl caliber. 
• Finding a new right tackle -- Breno Giacomini signed with the Jets which means Seattle is in the market for a new starter on the right side. The good news is Seattle returns the other four starters from one of the league's best O-lines. 2nd year Michael Bowie has been given a long look this preseason, but the hope is rookie 2nd rounder Justin Britt will win the job with a convincing training camp. 

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

It's hard to find fault with a 12-4 finish and a return trip to the NFC Championship game. Yet a loss to a division rival in that game after making it all the way to the Super Bowl the prior season tarnished an otherwise fantastic 2013. Defensively San Francisco has few questions 

Preseason Game Schedule

• Aug 7 -- @Baltimore 7:30 pm
• Aug 17 -- Denver 4:00 pm
• Aug 24 -- San Diego 4:00 pm
• Aug 28 -- @Houston 8:00 pm

What We're Watching

• Will Colin Kaepernick ascend into the fantasy elite? -- Kaepernick earned a long-term extension this offseason, signaling the 49ers confidence in his value as the face of the franchise. Should fantasy owners follow suit? Last year Kaepernick was drafted as a fantasy starter but ended the season ranked 11th, putting up uninspiring passing numbers in the process (58% passing, 3,197 yards, 21 TD passes). Is this the year he finally puts it all together? If not, will he ever? 
• Is Frank Gore still a workhorse? -- Frank Gore is 30 years old and showed signs of slowing down last year. He logged a respectable 276 carries but was phased out of the passing game (16 receptions) and finished with the fewest yards from scrimmage (1,269) of his 8 seasons as the 49ers starter. While Gore remains an important piece of the puzzle, the 49ers are overflowing with talented young runners including this year's 2nd round pick, Carlos Hyde. 
• Are there enough passes to go around? -- Michael Crabtree is back and he's the best receiver on the roster. Anquan Boldin flourished in Crabtree's absence with 85 receptions for 1,179 yards and 7 touchdowns (WR15) yet is falling in drafts because fantasy owners don't think there's enough targets to feed multiple wideouts. If those concerns are true, what value does Steve Johnson have as the WR3? Johnson is only 28 and has three 1,000-yard seasons as the Bills starter. 
• Does Vernon Davis fall back to the pack? -- Davis finished as the #2 ranked fantasy tight end this year, yet is being drafted as the 5th or 6th TE off the board in early drafts. Fantasy owners worry Davis' targets are due to fall with Michael Crabtree healthy, but are those concerns being overdone given Davis' athleticism and TD productivity? Making matters more complicated is Davis' unease with his current contract; he's threatening a camp holdout. 

ST. LOUIS RAMS

The Rams may be the 4th best team in a 4-team division yet still be considered one of the NFC's better units. Jeff Fisher's squad finished a respectable 7-9 last year in spite of a rash of injuries and the hope is new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams can tighten up a defensive unit that attacked the opposing quarterback (53 sacks) yet couldn't get off the field otherwise (28th in average drive allowed). On offense, the questions mainly surround the passing game which suffered through a near-basement showing in 2013 after Sam Bradford was lost for the season. 

Preseason Game Schedule

• Aug 8 -- New Orleans 8:00 pm
• Aug 16 -- Green Bay 4:00 pm
• Aug 23 -- @Cleveland 8:00 pm
• Aug 28 -- @Miami 7:00 pm

What We're Watching

• A familiar refrain; no more excuses for Sam Bradford -- Last season was supposed to be Sam Bradford's make-or-break year but a torn ACL gave him another mulligan. Bradford is expected to be ready for training camp, and in all fairness his play in the early weeks of 2013 gave reason for optimism. Bradford threw for 1,686 yards, 14 TDs and 4 interceptions in seven games last year. That equates to 363/598 for 3,856 yards, 32 touchdowns and 9 interceptions over a 16-game schedule. 
• Zac Stacy vs. Tre Mason -- Zac Stacy emerged from a crowded backfield last year to give the Rams a workhorse. While he wasn't explosive (3.9 yards per rush), he was durable (averaging 20+ carries over his 12 starts).  Stacy has done nothing to lose his role but the Rams drafted Tre Mason and many believe Mason is the better player and offers the potential for greatness Stacy cannot. 
• Deciphering the WR corps -- Kenny Britt is allegedly in the best shape of his life. Tavon Austin began making plays late in the 2013 season. Chris Givens, Brian Quick, Austin Pettis and Stedman Bailey all enter camp with hopes of a role. Simply put, no one on the roster projects as a true #1 yet the team is going to need two or three of these players to post career years if it has any hope of pulling out of the NFC West basement. 
• Monitoring Jake Long's health -- If Jake Long can make a full recovery from last year's knee injuries, the Rams have the potential for a dominant offensive line. Long at left tackle allows 1st round rookie Greg Robinson to move inside to left guard, and also allows Roger Saffold to stay inside at right guard. On the other hand, if Long is hobbled then either Robinson or Saffold need to play left tackle, which means someone like veteran Davin Joseph has to step into the starting lineup. 
• Fixing the run defense -- The Rams have fielded a dominant pass rush for a number of years but haven't been able to hold opposing teams from scoring. Gregg Williams has returned from his banishment (following the Saints Bountygate concerns) and reunites with Jeff Fisher (his long-time colleague in Tennessee). The defensive line should be the league's best with the addition of rookie Aaron Donald to the likes of Chris Long, Michael Brockers and Robert Quinn. Yet the secondary and LB corps have room for improvement. St. Louis used four draft picks on the secondary, meaning that everyone is fighting for a job once camp gets underway.