Around the NFC West with SB Nation

We are through two preseason games and the NFC West looks like a great fight for who will follow up the Los Angeles Rams.

Yet, the Rams look vulnerable at some positions, so maybe they are not a sure thing?

Let’s take a look around the NFC West with the help of SB Nation.

Los Angeles Rams via Turf Show Times

How the LA Rams’ salary cap would look after a deal for DL Aaron Donald - Turf Show Times
The Rams are rumored to be close to locking up DPOY Aaron Donald with a long-term megadeal. Here’s how it would look afterward in terms of the other major players on expiring deals.

2018 LA Rams roster bubble watch: Preseason week 2 - Turf Show Times
The Los Angeles Rams are heading into the second week of the preseason after being humbling by the Baltimore Ravens. With three more games remaining, here are some players who will need to step up to escape the roster bubble.

2018 LA Rams roster position battles: Preseason week 2 - Turf Show Times
With some major position battles cropping up across the roster, the 2018 Los Angeles Rams’ preseason got off to an inauspicious start against the Baltimore Ravens. 3k looks at the battles that will shape the Rams’ roster.

LA Rams DT Michael Brockers is poised to have his best season yet - Turf Show Times
At 27-years old, Brockers will most likely be the least talked about guy on the LA Rams’ D-line providing him the opportunity to transform himself into a machine.

Los Angeles Rams: Potential trade/tree agent options for a backup QB - Turf Show Times
Surely there are better options to back up LA Rams’ QB Jared Goff. But will the Rams pursue them?

Three reasons the LA Rams shouldn’t take the 49ers seriously in 2018 - Turf Show Times
The rivalries in the NFC West seem to be heating up this season, especially with the emergence of the 49ers. Here’s why the ascention of the boys from Santa Clara might be a bit overblown.

Rams-Raiders: Preseason week 2 rookies to watch - Turf Show Times
Against the Baltimore Ravens, the Rams rookies looked impressive. Will they duplicate their efforts against the Raiders?

The five takeaways from 2018 LA Rams training camp - Turf Show Times
Here are the five major takeaways from camp as the Rams head into their second preseason game.

Junior Galette to visit LA Rams - Turf Show Times
The Rams are bringing in the veteran edge rusher for a visit tomorrow.

San Francisco 49ers via Niners Nation

49ers depth chart news: Joshua Garnett gets first team right guard work after John Lynch updates competition - Niners Nation
The 49ers have a big decision to make at right guard. Saturday will offer another piece to sorting out this puzzle.

DeAndre Hopkins to 49ers rookie WR Dante Pettis: “I like your game, man. I like your game.” - Niners Nation
The 49ers rookie receiver is off to a strong camp and preseason.

49ers news: Kyle Shanahan on OL health, Jimmy Garoppolo preparation, Jeremy McNichols - Niners Nation
The 49ers head coach met with the media following the team’s second joint practice with the Houston Texans. We’ve got a full transcript, and video here.

Mike McGlinchey faced new drill in first one-on-one with J.J. Watt during 49ers-Texans joint practice - Niners Nation
Joe Staley offered some details on why things were a little extra difficult for the 49ers rookie tackle.

49ers news: 4 things we learned at the 8/16 joint practice with the Texans - Niners Nation
Here’s what we learned from the second joint practice with the 49ers and the Texans

49ers news: Jimmy Garoppolo talks offensive line rotation, two-minute drill, deep ball - Niners Nation
The 49ers QB met with the media following the final joint practice with the Texans. We’ve got a full transcript, and video here.

49ers news: John Lynch confirms Jerick McKinnon will sit rest of preseason - Niners Nation
The 49ers expect him back for Week 1.

49ers news: Kyle Shanahan sees quarterback as only position where we know 1st, 2nd string - Niners Nation
The 49ers have some tough decisions ahead of them.

49ers vs. Texans playing time: Starters will probably get more snaps, but not much - Niners Nation
The big question is what kind of playing time the back end of the roster gets.

Is there any in-state HC/QB combination you would prefer over Shanahan & Garoppolo? - Niners Nation
USA Today NFL columnist Jarrett Bell says he would still choose the likes of Gruden and Carr over Shanahan and Garoppolo

49ers vs. Texans: 7 players to watch in the preseason matchup - Niners Nation
The 49ers face off with the Texans in their second preseason game - here are seven players to watch in the match up

49ers-Texans: What would be a satisfactory performance from the offense? - Niners Nation
Last week, the first team offense had its moments, but it left something to be desired. What would you like to see out of Jimmy Garoppolo and company?

49ers vs. Cowboys preseason 2018: Besides back-to-back drive killing penalties, the offense, Jimmy Garoppolo looked good - Niners Nation
The defense delayed things due to Texans receivers not catching. Offense would have been beautiful if not for Weston Richburg commiting back-to-back penalties.

Seattle Seahawks via Field Gulls

Seahawks roster bubble: This player would be most upsetting to lose - Field Gulls
When the Seattle Seahawks waived Kasen Williams at final cuts last year, it was local headline news. Here are some of the comments from a year ago:

"I don’t see how a healthy Kasen Williams does...

Seahawks position battles: Which WRs Seattle should keep - Field Gulls
It is more likely that the Seahawks would keep five receivers than it would be for them to keep six, so let’s keep that number as the target for the purposes of this piece. Even though you may...

Seahawks position battles: These guys could start in Week 1 - Field Gulls
The Seattle Seahawks are less than a month from the 2018 regular season opener in Denver against the Broncos. The depth chart is starting to become a little more clear, though a lot can still...

Film Room Five: Young Seahawks Justin Coleman, Nick Vannett show their potential - Field Gulls
Welcome to the Film Room Five! This is a weekly column I’ve run for some time, in which I unload my notebook from a week of film study. Bringing it to Field Gulls, the focus will be the Seahawks –...

Russell Wilson spared during Jalen Ramsey’s honest assessment on QBs - Field Gulls
Jalen Ramsey was in the news recently for being in trouble in Jacksonville and getting suspended for a week, but the Jaguars cornerback is the talk of the NFL again on Wednesday and whether or not...

Which recent Seahawks draft picks could start Week 1? - Field Gulls
It’s hard to talk to the pessimistic Seahawks fan without soon getting to the part where they "suck at drafting." After the pessimistic Seahawks fan first sets aside the historic 2010-2012 draft...

Seahawks on tape: Breaking down Brian Schottenheimer’s high-tech passing offense - Field Gulls
Preseason scheme is dull, plain and mundane. It’s designed to get players familiar with the core principles, to get rookies familiar with NFL speed and to evaluate those on the roster bubble.

That...

Seahawks position battles: 2 CB spots for these 4 players - Field Gulls
The Seattle Seahawks recently worked out veteran cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, but suddenly that group looks quite crowded. The Seahawks could still sign Rodgers-Cromartie, indicating...

Seattle Seahawks surprisingly terminate contract of Marcus Smith - Field Gulls
In a somewhat unexpected move, the Seattle Seahawks are moving on from Marcus Smith II.

It was confirmed on Friday that the team has terminated Smith’s contract, which was a one-year, $1.425...

Chargers 24 Seahawks 14 - Winners and Losers from Seattle’s defeat vs. Los Angeles - Field Gulls
The Seattle Seahawks are 0-2 in preseason play for 2018, having lost 24-14 to the Los Angeles Chargers. This is obviously upsetting, disturbing, and makes you wonder if Seattle should tank...