2026 NFL Rookie Spotlight - NFC West

This week, we're taking a quick peek at the NFC West, a division that has delivered more than its share of surprises through the first six weeks of the NFL season.

Expectations have shifted since kickoff, with some teams exceeding preseason predictions while others struggle to find their footing. And as we've seen throughout the league, much of that success, or lack thereof, comes down to the play of the quarterback.

Let's take a look at where all four teams stand, what's driving their results, and which members of the 2026 rookie class are beginning to make their mark.

San Francisco 49ers (6-0)

The 49ers are undefeated, and much of their success starts with quarterback Brock Purdy. The former "Mr. Irrelevant" has transformed himself into a legitimate top-five NFL signal caller, and the numbers certainly support that argument.

Purdy has thrown for 1,460 yards (12th in the NFL), with a league-leading 14 touchdown passes and just two interceptions (tied for eighth). His 83.1 QBR also leads the league, helping Frisco remain atop what was expected to be a highly competitive NFC West.

But remember that San Francisco is playing a third-place schedule based on last season's standings. Facing teams that finished third in their respective divisions in 2025 can be a more favorable assignment than drawing the first- or second-place finishers.

Still, teams need to beat the teams on their schedule, and the 49ers have done exactly that.

Rookie Contributors

DT Gracen Halton

San Francisco's fourth-round selection has worked his way into the starting defensive line rotation with some impressive performances.

Since Week 2, Halton has registered 15 tackles, including nine solo stops and six assists. But it's the splash plays that have helped the 22-year-old earn additional playing time.

The former Oklahoma Sooner has recorded two sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, three stuffs totaling seven yards, and a pass defended. Not a bad collection of numbers for a rookie defensive lineman.

The 49ers also have a healthy group of draft choices serving as primary backups.

On defense, third-round pick DE Romello Height and fourth-round selection CB Ephesians Prysock provide depth. On the offensive side of the pigskin, third-round choice RB Kaelon Black, fourth-round pick OG Carver Willis, and fifth-round selection OT Enrique Cruz Jr. are waiting for opportunities to contribute.

Seattle Seahawks (3-3)

The defending Super Bowl champions are sitting at .500, and their success has largely depended on whether they can protect quarterback Sam Darnold.

Darnold has shouldered plenty of blame for Seattle's slow start, and some of the statistics explain why. He’s thrown for 1,033 yards (22nd in the NFL), with seven touchdown passes (tied for 18th) and seven interceptions (31st). Those numbers translate to a disappointing 42.0 QBR, ranking 26th.

But before placing all the blame on the quarterback, take a closer look at what's happening around him. Darnold has faced pressure on 41.3 percent of his dropbacks, with 69 pressures on 169 attempts, and has already been sacked 14 times. He's also absorbing far too many hits, including 17 against the Denver Broncos.

That's no way to keep your franchise quarterback upright.

Compounding the problem is the absence of departed Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III. Until Seattle finds an effective, healthy replacement, opposing defenses will have little reason to respect the running game. And when there's no legitimate rushing threat, pass rushers can pin their ears back and zero in on Darnold.

Rookie Contributors

The injury bug has hit Seattle's rookie class particularly hard. The Seahawks' top three selections, first-round RB Jadarian Price, second-round S Bud Clark, and third-round CB Julian Neal, are all currently on Injured Reserve. That has significantly limited the contributions from Seattle's 2026 draft class.

Fifth-round selection OG Beau Stephens is the only rookie currently listed as a primary backup.

The good news is that the Seahawks hope to get Price back within the next week or two. If he returns healthy and can provide a spark in the running game, it could go a long way toward easing the pressure on Darnold.

Los Angeles Rams (2-4)

The Rams have struggled through the first six weeks, largely because quarterback Matthew Stafford hasn't had his full complement of offensive weapons available. Since the opening contest, Los Angeles has been unable to keep wide receivers Davante Adams and Puka Nacua on the field together consistently. That's a major problem for an offense that depends on its passing attack.

Despite those challenges, Stafford leads the NFL with 1,794 passing yards.

The rest of his numbers tell a different story. Stafford has thrown 11 touchdown passes (tied for eighth) against six interceptions (tied for 28th), producing a 64.2 QBR that ranks 14th.

There's also a tactical reason the Rams haven't been firing on all cylinders. Los Angeles has relied heavily on 13 personnel, meaning one running back, three tight ends, and one wide receiver. That formation can be effective for running the football and creating quick play-action opportunities.

However, it isn't always conducive to developing deeper passing combinations that require speed and multiple receiving threats. And right now, the wideouts capable of blowing the top off a defense are spending too much time on the shelf.

Until those weapons return, Stafford may continue putting up passing yards without getting the offensive production needed to turn losses into victories.

Rookie Contributors

Nobody expected Los Angeles' first-round selection, quarterback Ty Simpson, to see meaningful playing time this season with Stafford under center.

And through six weeks, the Rams' rookie class has made relatively little impact on the depth chart. Only two draft selections are currently listed as primary backups: third-round OT Keagan Trost and sixth-round WR CJ Daniels.

For now, the Rams are relying primarily on their veterans to get the season back on track.

Arizona Cardinals (2-4)

Arizona has managed to remain competitive in several contests, and quarterback Jacoby Brissett deserves some credit for keeping the Cardinals within striking distance. With the exception of one difficult outing against the Seattle Seahawks, Brissett has generally played well enough to give the Cards a chance.

Brissett has thrown for 1,328 yards (16th in the NFL), with nine touchdown passes (tied for 13th) and six interceptions (tied for 28th). His 55.1 QBR places him around the middle of the pack.

But two numbers jump off the page when evaluating Arizona's season. First, when the Cardinals hold an opponent under 20 points, they win. Second, both of Arizona's victories have come on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers and Rams.

And here's the kicker: Both wins came in the same stadium, SoFi Stadium. Can't make that up.

Rookie Contributors

RB Jeremiyah Love

Arizona's first-round selection has been a fixture in the starting lineup since arriving in the desert. No. 4 has toted the leather 67 times for 245 yards, averaging 3.7 yards per carry. The former Notre Dame standout has a long run of 18 yards and one rushing touchdown.

The 21-year-old has also contributed in the passing game, collecting 11 receptions for 36 yards, averaging 3.3 yards per catch, with another touchdown.

Perhaps the most encouraging number for the rookie running back is zero fumbles. Ball security is a major part of earning a coach's trust, particularly for a young player handling significant touches. Love has done his part in that department.

Also cracking Arizona's starting lineup is seventh-round selection OT Jayden Williams, giving the Cardinals another rookie contributor on offense. Two additional draft picks are serving in backup roles: fifth-round WR Reggie Virgil and sixth-round LB Karson Sharar.

Arizona's record may not be where the franchise wants it, but the early contributions from its rookie class offer some encouragement moving forward.