Top training camp storylines across the NFC West

A breakout player, top injury concern, and rookie to watch for each of Rams, Cardinals, 49ers, and Seahawks

Training camp is underway across the NFL. Thursday marks the first preseason game of the season, and before we know it football will be back in full swing.

Sticking in the Los Angeles Rams’ own division, what are the major storylines across the NFC West? This is a breakout candidate, injury to watch, and key rookie for each of the Rams, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks.

Los Angeles Rams

Breakout player

Free agent acquisition Nate Landman is on his way to earning the starting middle linebacker job in Los Angeles. He’ll likely take up the mantle for Christian Rozeboom who is now with the Carolina Panthers.

One factor that is favorable to Landman is the fact that fifth round rookie Pooh Paul started camp on the sidelines as he nurses a calf injury. Paul had a reasonable path to winning the job, but it’s tough for rookies who miss the early going on training camp.

Landman signed a one-year, $1.1M deal with Los Angeles this offseason. That’s an affordable deal even with the context the Rams rarely pay linebackers. If he holds onto the starting job and performs admirably, he will be in line for a bigger payday in 2026.

Injury watch

Matthew Stafford sat out the first two weeks of camp with back soreness. He reportedly saw a spine specialist. Currently, his status is week-to-week with no timetable to return. He’s the only Week 1 starting quarterback to not be active in practice across the league.

Standout rookie

Running back Jarquez Hunter has impressed with his speed in camp. Veteran Kyren Williams is entrenched as the starter in a contract year, but it’s easy to see a path to playing time as a complimentary player for Hunter. Williams is smart to not sit out of practice.

Arizona Cardinals

Breakout player

885 yards and eight touchdowns is impressive for a rookie receiver regardless of draft status, but that still was a disappointing first NFL season for Marvin Harrison, Jr. Were the expectations unrealistic and possibly unfair? Probably. Still, Harrison has added bulk to his frame to compliment the Cardinals’ strong ground game and frequent usage of heavier personnel.

Can Harrison emerge as Arizona’s bona fide number one receiver in 2025?

Injury watch

Starling Thomas was atop the depth chart at corner before tearing his ACL and being ruled out for the year. That leaves Arizona with the ascending Garrett Williams, Max Melton (2024 second rounder), and Will Johnson (2025 second rounder).

Standout rookie

Walter Nolen was one of my favorite players in the draft and it was difficult to watch him taken by a division foe. Nolen will split time with veteran Calais Campbell. Truthfully there are few better in which to serve as an understudy.

The Cardinals’ defensive line is improving between the aforementioned players plus Darius Robinson, Baron Browning, Dalvin Tomlinson, Josh Sweat, and BJ Ojulari.

San Francisco 49ers

Breakout player

The 49ers could be in a tough spot at receiver to start the year. Brandon Aiyuk is unlikely to be healthy for Week 1. Jauan Jennings is a fine number two or three option, but he’s the latest of their players to demand a new contract.

The focus instead turns to second-year receiver Ricky Pearsall, who finished with over 200 yards and multiple scores in the final two games of the season. Pearsall was injured to start his rookie camp and then missed part of the regular season with a gunshot wound. He now has a clean bill of health and could be a much-needed weapon in San Francisco.

Injury watch

The 49ers took EDGE defender Mykel Williams with the 11th pick in this spring’s NFL Draft. He’s now sitting out camp with an ankle injury. While all current signs suggest this is a minor setback, even the smallest amounts of missed time can prove very difficult for rookies.

Standout rookie

Third round rookie Upton Stout seems to be the favorite to start at nickel corner in San Francisco. He’s a slight player at 5-8, 181 lbs., but that is not abnormal for slot players. He played college ball at Western Kentucky.

Seattle Seahawks

Breakout player

Seattle’s offensive scheme last season left a lot to be desired. While Rams fans understand the importance of marrying together the run and pass games, the Seahawks were very disjointed in this regard.

Enter Klint Kubiak—who spent last year with the New Orleans Saints—as offensive coordinator. They are pulling from the correct coaching tree in order to fix this problem. That could mean that the talented Kenneth Walker could finally breakout in his fourth season. The Seahawks have heavily invested in the offensive line through the draft as well.

Injury watch

Uchenna Nwosu, the team’s best pass rusher, was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list to start training camp. Our sister blog—Field Gulls—wrote last week that it doesn’t seem Nwosu will return soon. He’s missed notable time in his tenure with Seattle.

Standout rookie

Some may say it’s unlikely, but I think it’s relatively possible that Jalen Milroe is starting games at QB for this team. At the very least this would be a very entertaining development.

Despite Seattle’s free agent spending spree on Sam Darnold, they can get out of the contract somewhat painlessly after a single season. Mike MacDonald is looking to put his stamp on this roster, and Milroe could warrant a shot before year’s end.