NFC WEST PRESEASON GRADES

ARIZONA CARDINALS

QB-Kurt Warner (B+), Matt Leinart (D)

RB-Tim Hightower (C+), Chris Wells (C), Jason Wright (D)

WR-Larry Fitzgerald (A), Anquan Boldin (B+), Steve Breaston (C+), Jerheme Urban (D+), Early Doucet (D)

TE-Steven Spach (D+), Leonard Pope (D)

K-Neil Rackers (B)

OUTLOOK:  Based on his amazing resurgence, Warner has to be considered a QB1 heading into the season.  Considering his age, you might want to grab a back-up for him earlier than usual (or take a leap of faith that Leinart can get the job done as a handcuff pick.)  Wells will have to seriously outperform Hightower to be the better Fantasy choice, because Hightower proved adept on the goal line last year and should still get those chances.  Boldin is keeping quiet at camp so you shouldn't be nervous about drafting him early, although he rarely makes it through a whole season injury-free.

ST. LOUIS RAMS

QB-Marc Bulger (C), Kyle Boller (D)

RB-Steven Jackson (B), Antonio Pittman (D+), Kenneth Darby (D), Chris Ogbonnaya (D)

WR-Donnie Avery (C), Keenan Burton (D+), Derek Stanley (D), Laurent Roninson (D)

TE-Randy McMichael (C), Joe Klopfenstein (D)

K-Neil Rackers (B)

OUTLOOK:  For Fantasy purposes, the Rams look like Jackson and pray for rain.  Even their star running back is far less of a sure thing than in years past, simply because this offense looks so anemic that defenses will likely be keyed on him in warmups.  Avery is the best bet at receiver out of an inexperienced group. though even he should be no better than a WR3 on your roster.  Bulger's fall from grace has as much to do with the lack of talent around him as his own shortcomings, but he's still on the hot seat with a new coaching staff and an experienced backup in Boller in waiting.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

QB-Shaun Hill (D+), Alex Smith (D)

RB-Frank Gore (B), Glen Coffee (D+), Michael Robinson (D), Thomas Clayton (D)

WR-Michael Crabtree (C+), Isaac Bruce (C), Josh Morgan (D+), Arnaz Battle (D), Brandon Jones (D)

TE-Vernon Davis (C+), Delanie Walker (D)

K-Joe Nedney (C+)

OUTLOOK:  Although there are rare exceptions, the rule of thumb is that if a team has a quarterback controversy, it's because both have major drawbacks and Fantasy players should give them a wide berth.  That's the case here.  Gore looks like a solid RB1 but not quite a first-round pick, although his reunion with re-signed fullback Moran Norris should help him see more daylight.  Crabtree seems to be following in a long line of royal-pain receivers, but his off-the-field antics won't matter to you if he achieves T.O. or OchoCinco type numbers for your team.  He's worth a mid-round pick for the huge upside.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

QB-Matt Hasselbeck (C+), Seneca Wallace (D)

RB-Julius Jones (C), T.J. Duckett (C), Justin Forsett (D)

WR-T.J. Houshmandzadeh (B), Deion Branch (C), Nate Burleson (D+), Deon Butler (D)

TE-John Carlson (B), John Owens (F)

K-Olindo Mare (D+)

OUTLOOK:  Hasselbeck, if healthy, could post a throwback season.  He's got a full contingent of receivers and a paltry-looking running game, so it could be time to air it out.  Houshmandzadeh gets the headlines as the big free-agent addition, but don't sleep on Branch.  He's been hurt for a couple years, but he finished the year strong once he returned in '08.  Carlson flew under the radar a year ago as a rookie, and, as such, you might be able to get starter quality on the cheap.  With the running game in the hands of the mediocre duo of Jones and Duckett, Forsett, an explosive if small alternative, might be worth a look in super-deep drafts.