NFC West Notes: 49ers, Cardinals, Rams

April 3, 2018

49ers

Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee identifies N.C. State’s Bradley Chubb, UTSA’s Marcus Davenport, Boston College’s Harold Landry, LSU’s Arden Key and Florida State’s Josh Sweat as the best fits for the 49ers’ Leo or Elephant position.

Cardinals

Cardinals GM Steve Keim said of new QB Sam Bradford‘s health, via the team’s Facebook Watch series: “It’s our job to make sure we’re getting the ball out quickly, that we’re running the ball effectively, and more than anything that we can pass protect and keep him upright.” (Albert Breer)
Cardinals RB David Johnson was fully cleared for offseason workouts on Tuesday after missing most of the 2017 season with a wrist injury. (Omar Ruiz)
Cardinals OLB Markus Golden has resumed running after tearing his ACL last year. (Kent Somers)
Cardinals LT D.J. Humphries (MCL, dislocated kneecap) told reporters that he doesn’t have a timetable to return, but he’s 100 percent certain he’ll be back for the regular season. (Josh Weinfuss)
Hasson Reddick said he’s currently playing inside linebacker but added that this is subject to change now that the Cardinals are transitioning to 4-3 scheme under new HC Steve Wilks. (Kent Somers)
Mike Jurecki mentions RB D.J. Foster will have his work cut out to make the 53 man roster this summer.

Rams

On Tuesday, the Rams pulled off another stunning trade by agreeing to send first- and sixth-round picks to the Patriots for WR Brandin Cooks and a fourth-round pick (NFLTR).

According to Adam Schefter, the Patriots and Rams have discussed a potential Cooks trade for over a month and before Los Angeles spoke to the Giants about a potential Odell Beckham Jr. trade. Ultimately, the Rams felt this was the better deal to make.
Schefter reports that the Rams acquiring Cooks means that Los Angeles is officially out on Beckham Jr., and the Giants will need another trade partner to complete a deal.
Albert Breer adds the Rams were actively looking at ways to replace Sammy Watkins, whom they lost in free agency, and Brandin Cooks, on paper, represents an upgrade.
Breer says that Rams HC Sean McVay has been eyeing Cooks for while and the Rams even spoke to the Saints last year about a possible trade for him.