We’re about a third of the way through the fantasy regular season, here’s what I’ve learned so far in the NFC West.
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NFC West
L.A. Rams
The Rams were the preseason favorite by many to take home the Lombardi trophy, but injuries have cast a dark cloud over Southern California. Myles Garrett and Puka Nacua have missed time and now Davante Adams will be sidelined for 6-10 weeks with a ruptured hamstring. These injuries along with the suspension of LT Alaric Jackson have hurt Matthew Stafford, whose had a roller coaster season so far. He’s been feast or famine for fantasy drafters. Meanwhile at RB, Kyren Williams has had a solid season. Blake Corum, who was once an afterthought, came on last week. Perhaps this will turn into an RBBC after all. Adams’ injury is a big blow to fantasy drafters. He took over games as the de-facto go to WR for the Rams when Puka was out. This sets up as a potential boon for Puka, if he can stay healthy; but that’s a big “if” considering his hernia is teetering on the edge of disaster. How bad is it in Los Angeles? Even their new kicker Blake Grupe tore his ACL and is out for the year during a shocking loss at home to Arizona last week.
Seattle Seahawks
The defending champs were dealt a haymaker in the opening week when Sam Darnold went down early. Fortunately, they got up from off the canvas. Drew Lock kept them afloat until Darnold returned. Rookie RB Jadarian Price was hyped up a lot in the preseason, maybe too much so? I liked him, but his price tag kept rising as the summer progressed to the point where I found myself instead opting for WRs in the 5th round over Price. Price was never a big factor in the passing game at Notre Dame. The Seahawks’ plan was to use him in an RBBC until Zach Charbonnet returns, which should be soon. Unfortunately, Price’s lack of TDs have hurt his fantasy numbers. And now he’s injured, making the 5th/6th Round cost one decision many drafters would like to have back. One of my deep sleepers, Emanuel Wilson, is once again making the most of his opportunity. Wilson came up big for the Packers and seems to be doing the same in the Pacific Northwest. He’s been steady, but unspectacular for drafters who picked him up off the waiver wire. When Sam Darnold went down, I thought Jaxson Smith-Njigba’s fantasy numbers would sink like the Titanic. Naturally, in typical Ringo fashion, I was way off. Njigba made me look foolish (somewhere my readers just muttered… “Ringo, I’m shocked”, haha) by flourishing with Lock. He’s currently the top scoring fantasy WR in Half-Point PPR.
San Francisco 49ers
Through six weeks, it’s Brock Purdy who is sitting as the 2nd ranked QB in fantasy. That’s not something I had on my 2026 bingo card. The 49ers had an impressive win down under in Australia, helped by the young QB. At RB, Christian McCaffrey has managed to stay healthy so far. Unfortunately, it hasn’t been with the same volume most fantasy drafters are accustomed to, although he had a great game against the Commanders on Monday night. As one of those drafters, I was hoping for his typical bell-cow volume, but for the most part, that hasn’t materialized. We’ll see if that changes or if it’s the new normal. WR Mike Evans is fighting through a painful rib injury. I was leery of Evans who missed time last year. He’s in his 30’s and it’s hard to envision him staying healthy for the full 17 game slate, but give him credit. Evans is refusing to sit. He’s a fighter. On the flip side, Deebo Samuel was a nice sleeper call for me until his recent hamstring injury. It was the dream landing spot for Deebo reuniting with Kyle Shanahan. Shanahan knows how to utilize the talented playmaker, even calling for a hook and lateral trick play which Deebo turned into an 80-yard TD. Deebo was the 11th ranked WR in Half-Point PPR prior to his injury. TE George Kittle is off to a sizzling start. I faded him in drafts because of concerns with him coming off a devastating achilles injury. Those injuries are notorious for being problematic and potentially career ending. Kittle has defied the odds with 5 TDs so far. He’s currently the 3rd ranked TE in Half-Point PPR and made drafters look like geniuses who took him at a discount over the summer.
Arizona Cardinals
Jacoby Brissett was starting to come on until he played the Rams. They have a way of doing that to opposing QBs. That said, Brissett’s fantasy success might be short-lived. LT Paris Johnson suffered a torn left bicep in Week 4 and is out for the season. That’s not good considering the Cardinals’ offensive line wasn’t exactly a strength even with Johnson, who many consider to be their best lineman. Like clockwork, as soon as I took rookie Jeremiyah Love in RazzBowl, the Cardinals for some unknown reason played him a lot in the first preseason game. Actually, I know the reason, they’re idiots, but I digress. Love suffered the dreaded high ankle sprain. My fears of that injury lingering have become a reality. Love admitted, he doesn’t have the same burst and suggested to coaches that Tyler Allgeier and Bam Knight should get more work. The coaches listened and they sat him against the Rams where Zonovan “Bam” Knight was the biggest beneficiary. Meanwhile at WR, Michael Wilson has emerged as the Cardinals’ top dog. Arizona brass showed their cards – see what I did there? I’m a man of many bad puns, haha! – by rewarding Wilson with a new contract. Like a dummy, I thought Marvin Harrison Jr. could have a fresh start under the new coaching staff. However, it was the same old same old for Maserati Marv and he finally said, “I’ve had enough”, and forced his way out of town. Trey McBride has had another solid season. He’s currently the 2nd ranked TE in Half-Point PPR. However, the loss of LT Paris Johnson could throw a monkey wrench into the Cardinals’ offense. Can they score without their starting left tackle? Note, the Cardinals’ schedule gets tougher with games against the Rams, Seahawks, and Broncos still on the horizon. And at some point, they could replace Brissett with rookie QB Carson Beck to see how he performs. Arizona will probably have plenty of opportunities for garbage points, but will it matter against some tough defenses? That’s the million-dollar question.
-Mark Ringo
Join Matt @Stiles08, Derek @Derek_Favret, Jeff @Jefferson__21, Dave @crewser128, Ben @hashtagwasley, Mack, Sky @SkyGuasco, and me, Mark @MarkRingo12, on our weekly YouTube shows and the Razzball Fantasy Podcast as we answer your questions thus keeping you informed for the 2026 season. Come for the analysis and stay for the laughs!
