NFC West stock up, down: Seahawks star is out ... again

With the preseason behind us and the start of Week 1 imminent, here's a look at whose stock is up and down in the NFC West.

Stock up

Tre Brown, Seattle Seahawks cornerback: With first-round corner Devon Witherspoon injured for much of training camp, a competition simmered at his position between Brown and Mike Jackson. On the first official depth chart, Brown was listed as a starter, indicating that he had beaten out Jackson and successfully fought his way back from an injury that derailed most of his 2022 season. 

Brown had an outstanding preseason, allowing just 22 receiving yards on eight targets. Eventually, Witherspoon will take over as starter given his draft position (No. 5 overall). For now, though, Brown — who's entering his third season — will get an opportunity to show what he can do. 

Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers running back: The 49ers might not have superstar tight end George Kittle (groin) for their opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but they are getting a boost on offense. Running back Elijah Mitchell will be available after coming back from an abductor strain. 

Injuries have significantly limited Mitchell over the first two years of his career, allowing him to play in just 16 out of 34 games. When available, he has played well, rushing for 1,242 yards on 252 carries (4.9 yards per rush). Paired with Christian McCaffrey, he gives the 49ers a great 1-2 punch at RB.  

Josh Dobbs, Arizona Cardinals quarterback: Two weeks ago, Dobbs looked like he was going to be starting another season as a backup. But then the Cardinals, in desperate need of a short-term solution at quarterback, acquired him from Cleveland and put him in line to be their Week 1 starter. 

Dobbs quickly impressed new teammates with his mastery of the playbook. 

"You can tell he already knows the offense," left tackle D.J. Humphries said, per SI.com. "That's kind of the first thing that kind struck me was like, 'Oh, sh--, OK. We're not coaching him up on anything. He knows. He's telling me what I should [be doing].'"

The Cardinals haven't officially named a starting QB, but given how well Dobbs has grasped the offense, it seems likely he'll get the start over rookie Clayton Tune. 

Stock down

Rams wide receivers: WR Cooper Kupp spent several days in Minnesota seeing a specialist about his injured hamstring, a terrible sign for the Rams. Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, he's unlikely to play Week 1 against Seattle. The Rams don't have much at wide receiver beyond Kupp. Van Jefferson will probably become the focal point in his absence, and while he has flashed potential over the first three years of his career, he's not close to Kupp in ability. 

Jamal Adams, Seattle Seahawks safety: In 2020, the Seahawks traded two first-round draft picks to the Jets for Adams, whom they signed to a four-year contract as the league's highest-paid safety at the time. Injuries, however, have derailed Adams' tenure in Seattle. He'll miss Sunday's game against the Rams because of a quad issue. 

This is a make-or-break year for Adams. Seattle has a potential out in his contract after this season. Part of ability, the saying goes, is availability. Adams played in only one game for Seattle last season, and from 2020-21 to 2021-22 with the team, he missed nine regular-season games.