NFC West Notes: Cardinals, Rams, Seahawks

Cardinals

The Cardinals took QB Kyler Murray No. 1 overall last year in large part due to the relationship HC Kliff Kingsbury had with Murray from their time together in college. Now Murray is passing it forward, lobbying Cardinals GM Steve Keim to select his former Oklahoma teammate, WR CeeDee Lamb, with Arizona’s first pick at No. 8 this year. The duo had a strong connection in 2018 and Lamb projects as one of the top receivers available in this year’s draft, which coincides with a major need for the Cardinals’ offense. 

“From my text stream, you can tell Kyler likes him,” Keim told Arizona Sports 98.7 FM via Jeremy Cluff of the Arizona Republic.

“Me and CeeDee have a great relationship,” Murray explained. “That’s one of my boys. I would obviously be very fond of that pick. Obviously, I don’t make the choices. I’m here for whatever, but I’m looking forward to free agency and us adding some great players and adding more of them in the draft so we can continue to grow this thing. But yeah, if we pick CeeDee, that would be great. We have a very comfortable relationship. I’ve played with him, I’ve been with him for years, so yeah, I don’t think that would be a bad pick at all.”

• According to ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss, Cardinals OT D.J. Humphries‘ three-year, $45 million deal includes a $2.4 million signing bonus, $11.5 million guaranteed base salary in 2020 and a $500,000 roster bonus. 
• Humphries’ $15.1 million 2021 base salary will become fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the 2020 league year, Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic clarifies. Humphries also has a $500,000 roster bonus. 
• In 2022, Humphries is scheduled to have a $13.25 million base salary, $500,000 roster bonus on the fifth day of the league year and an additional $500,000 roster bonus. 

Seahawks

• Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline says re-signing DT Jarran Reed is a priority for the Seahawks, as well as addressing both offensive and defensive lines in the draft. 
• According to Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Seahawks are a team worth watching for Vikings DE Everson Griffen, who played for Seahawks HC Pete Carroll in college. 

Rams

• Charles Robinson reports that the Rams are promoting football administration assistant Sophie Luoto to Director of Football Operations.
• Robinson notes that this makes Luoto one of the NFL’s highest-ranking female executives.