NFC West breakdown
Seattle has most of the major components that helped fuel a Super Bowl run two seasons ago. The 49ers have a young, upstart QB with a new WR and a TE with huge upside. The Cardinalsâ young QB has one of the best WR combos in the league. And the Rams still have productive leftovers from the Greatest Show on Turf.
Yep, the NFC West is loaded with fantasy options. Which are the best choices, and where can you get them? Letâs take a look:
ARIZONA CARDINALS
Starters: WR Larry Fitzgerald, WR Anquan Boldin
Backups: QB Matt Leinart, RB Edgerrin James
Comments: Leinart could prove to be a starting option if the line can hold up. In doing so, that will help James establish a running game, taking the pressure off Leinart and the air attack. Leinart could be a steal in rounds 10-12. James normally is going in the third round. We think heâll improve on last seasonâs numbers, but you can find equal or better options later (think Cedric Benson, Thomas Jones, Cadillac Williams).
Regardless, Fitzgerald is still a WR1 option available to you in the third round of 10-team leagues. Boldin, best used as a WR2, can be nabbed a round later.
TE: No reason to look too hard at Leonard Pope. Leave him undrafted.
PK: Neil Rackers has a strong leg, kicks indoors and plays on a team that can move the ball. Heâs a great kicking option in the final two rounds.
DEF: Did a decent job generating turnovers last year, but they yield a slew of points. This defense falls in the bottom half of fantasy options.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Starters: RB Frank Gore, WR Darrell Jackson, TE Vernon Davis
Backup: QB Alex Smith
Comments: Gore in a top 5 draftee. Jackson is the most accomplished target Smith has had in this offense. And a healthy Davis should provide an additional aerial weapon. Keep an eye on Ashley Lelie. By the tinme the season kicks off, he could creep his way into backup consideration.
TE: Davis was hurt much of his rookie year, but he has the skills to be the NFCâs answer to Antonio Gates. Donât expect Gates-type numbers, but he provides an option that should produce as much as Jeremy Shockey or Todd Heap., and should be ahead of Kellen Winslow on your draft board.
PK: Joe Nedney is one of the more underappreciated of kickers. Everywhere he goes, heâs been reliable. If you think this offense will look like the second-half version of the 2006 Niners (as we do), then Nedney is a decent option.
DEF: Had trouble creating turnovers last year, and they play in a division stocked full of offensive firepower. Only rely on this unit in a pinch.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Starters: QB Matt Hasselbeck, RB Shaun Alexander, WR Deion Branch
Backups: none
Comments: With Hasselbeck, Jon Kitna and Tony Romo still available in rounds 6-9, thereâs no reason to sweat if you miss out on the the top gunslingers â Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, Tom Brady, Drew Brees or Marc Bulger.
People are down on Alexander. Heâs slipping to fourth or fifth in many drafts. But we feel he could turn in as productive season anyone not named Tomlinson, so long as his foot holds up. Branch should be considered a weak WR2 or solid WR3.
TE: Marcus Pollard comes on board. Expect about the same production as former Hawks TE Jerramy Stevens, which is to say not enough to spend a middle-round draft pick.
PK: Josh Brown is a very nice option in the final two rounds.
DEF: This unit is overrated. More than half their games last season, they performed poorly from a fantasy perspective. Save a gigantic, nine-sack week vs. the Raiders, this was a below-average fantasy unit whose stats and ranking were distorted by one big game.
ST. LOUIS RAMS
Starters: QB Marc Bulger, RB Steven Jackson, WR Torry Holt
Backups: WR Drew Bennett, WR Isaac Bruce
Comments: Bulger will be the last of the top QBs to be drafted, likely around rounds 4-5. Donât rush to get him however. As discussed earlier, there are some solid alternatives in later rounds. Polish off your starters at WR and RB, maybe even tap a bench player of TE.
TE: Randy McMichael was a disappointment the past few seasons in Miami. In St. Loo, he will get less attention. Fantastic value, since you can get him near the end of most drafts, and off the waiver wire as an undrafted free agent in others.
PK: Jeff Wilkins is still one of the better fantasy options.
DEF: Allow too many points and generate too few turnovers to be considered a starting fantasy unit.


