NFC West Notes: 49ers, Cardinals, Rams, Seahawks

49ers

49ers HC Kyle Shanahan said the team signed WR Jordan Matthews because they wanted to sign a veteran after losing Pierre Garcon and Matthews is a “bigger receiver” with good hands. 

“He’s played a lot and we wanted to get a veteran into our group to add some competition,” Shanahan said, via Matt Barrows of The Athletic. “We played with a lot of young guys. We lost Pierre (Garçon), so that was one veteran that we don’t have anymore. … (Matthews) has bounced around a little in this league. I think he’s gotten better each year in this league, just studying him, and I think his skill set adds something to our group. He’s a bigger receiver who has good hands, very smart receiver and he also can run.”

• Regarding 49ers WR Marquise Goodwin, Shanahan said the team may want to limit his snaps in 2019: “Even though the numbers might not be the same, that helps us play at a higher level because they’re not out there every single play. You’re not asking them to do a bunch of stuff they don’t excel at,” Shanahan said. “You kind of use them in their areas of expertise.”

Cardinals

Cardinals HC Kliff Kingsbury called recently signed WR Kevin White a “dangerous player” and is hopeful he can play to his potential.

“He can be a dangerous player and we’re hoping that that’s what we get,” Kingsbury said, via Josh Weinfuss. 

• Kingsbury said Cardinals’ new offensive linemen OT Marcus Gilbert and G J.R. Sweezy will “immediately” be put into the starting lineup, while it is “uncertain” if Sweezy will start at left- or right-guard, per Josh Weinfuss.
• Regarding Cardinals’ new DL Darius Philon, Kingsbury said he views Philon as a 3-4 defensive end: “He’s still young, 25 years old and we feel like his best football is ahead of him.” (Josh Weinfuss)

Rams

• Vincent Bonsignore says not to be surprised if the Rams draft a quarterback this year. 
• Backup QB Blake Bortles is only under contract for a year, while the Rams could also try to develop a quarterback under HC Sean McVay and flip him for a higher draft pick.  

Seahawks

Seahawks HC Pete Carroll said WR Doug Baldwin‘s upcoming sports hernia surgery should have around a six-to-eight-week recovery time.  

“That’s just taken a toll on him,” Carroll told John Clayton via ESPN’s Brady Henderson.  “It was a tremendous toll on him last year during the season.  He’s such a stud of a kid, and a great competitive kid, that he endured it.  But he’s going to have another six-to-eight-week surgery coming up here soon.  And it’s just been a big burden for him.  So we’ll just hang with him.  If anyone can do it, he can.”

• Carroll identified DE Jacob Martin and DL Rasheem Green as players the team was looking to step up across from DE Frank Clark next season.  (Stacy Rost)
• Carroll said the Seahawks still need a run-stopping defensive tackle.  
• At nickel corner, newly re-signed Akeem King will compete with Kalan Reed and Jeremy Boykins for the starting spot.