The national conversation about the Seattle Seahawks is that their off-season trades of D.K. Metcalf and Geno Smith signaled a rebuilding period. While the turnover on the offensive side of the ball in Seattle is significant, the same could be said about the 49ers and Cardinals defense. In fact, every team in the NFC West is in some sort of transition from older to younger talent. The Rams are still early in their makeover, and still have the oldest quarterback in the division who will need to be replaced soon. Clearer patterns start to emerge when you break down the starters for every position group. You may be surprised to see where teams are young and where they are nearing a reset.
Methodology: Projecting and Averaging Starter Ages
This analysis reviewed each NFC West team’s roster, utilizing the depth charts at Ourlads.com as a foundational resource. Adjustments were incorporated to reflect anticipated Week 1 lineups based on prevailing reports and positional battles. For the San Francisco 49ers, projections included CJ West and Alfred Collins as starting defensive tackles, and Richie Grant stepping in at safety. The Arizona Cardinals‘ edge unit was assessed with Josh Sweat and Zaven Collins as the likely starters. In Los Angeles, the Rams‘ initial linebacker alignment factored in Troy Reeder and Omar Speights. For the Seattle Seahawks, the edge was projected with Boye Mafe and Derick Hall, Nick Emmanwori at cornerback.
With the projected starting lineups established, the average age for each key position group (QB, RB, TE, WR, OL, Edge, LB, DL, CB, S) was calculated. The average ages for the starting offense, starting defense, and the overall starting roster for each team were also computed.
Projected Starting Lineups by Position Group and Team:
Quarterbacks (QB)
- Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray (27)
- Los Angeles Rams: Matthew Stafford (37)
- San Francisco 49ers: Brock Purdy (25)
- Seattle Seahawks: Sam Darnold (27)
Running Backs (RB)
- Arizona Cardinals: James Conner (30), Trey Benson (24)
- Los Angeles Rams: Kyren Williams (24), Blake Corum (24)
- San Francisco 49ers: Christian McCaffrey (28), Isaac Guerendo (24)
- Seattle Seahawks: Kenneth Walker III (24), Zach Charbonnet (24)
Tight Ends (TE)
- Arizona Cardinals: Trey McBride (25), Tip Reiman (23), Elijah Higgins (24)
- Los Angeles Rams: Tyler Higbee (32), Colby Parkinson (26), Terrance Ferguson (22)
- San Francisco 49ers: George Kittle (31), Luke Farrell (27), Brayden Willis (25)
- Seattle Seahawks: Noah Fant (27), AJ Barner (23), Elijah Arroyo (22)
Wide Receivers (WR)
- Arizona Cardinals: Zay Jones (30), Marvin Harrison Jr. (22), Michael Wilson (25)
- Los Angeles Rams: Davante Adams (32), Puka Nacua (23), Tutu Atwell (25)
- San Francisco 49ers: Brandon Aiyuk (27), Ricky Pearsall (24), Jauan Jennings (27)
- Seattle Seahawks: Cooper Kupp (31), Marquez Valdes-Scantling (30), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (23)
Offensive Line (OL)
- Arizona Cardinals: Paris Johnson Jr. (23), Hjalte Froholdt (28), Evan Brown (28), Isaiah Adams (24), Jonah Williams (27)
- Los Angeles Rams: Alaric Jackson (26), Steve Avila (25), Coleman Shelton (29), Kevin Dotson (28), Rob Havenstein (32)
- San Francisco 49ers: Trent Williams (37), Ben Bartch (26), Jake Brendel (32), Dominick Puni (25), Colton McKivitz (28)
- Seattle Seahawks: Charles Cross (24), Grey Zabel (23), Olu Oluwatimi (25), Christian Haynes (25), Abraham Lucas (26)
Edge
- Arizona Cardinals: Josh Sweat (28), Zaven Collins (25)
- Los Angeles Rams: Jared Verse (24), Byron Young (27)
- San Francisco 49ers: Nick Bosa (27), Mykel Williams (20)
- Seattle Seahawks: Boye Mafe (26), Derick Hall (24)
Linebackers (LB)
- Arizona Cardinals: Mack Wilson Sr. (27), Akeem Davis-Gaither (27)
- Los Angeles Rams: Troy Reeder (30), Omar Speights (24)
- San Francisco 49ers: Fred Warner (28), Dee Winters (24)
- Seattle Seahawks: Ernest Jones IV (25), Tyrice Knight (25)
Defensive Line (DL)
- Arizona Cardinals: Calais Campbell (38), Dalvin Tomlinson (31), Darius Robinson (23)
- Los Angeles Rams: Braden Fiske (25), Poona Ford (29), Kobie Turner (26)
- San Francisco 49ers: CJ West (22), Alfred Collins (23), Jordan Elliott (27)
- Seattle Seahawks: Leonard Williams (30), Byron Murphy II (22), Jarran Reed (32)
Cornerbacks (CB)
- Arizona Cardinals: Will Johnson (22), Max Melton (23), Garrett Williams (23)
- Los Angeles Rams: Darious Williams (32), Ahkello Witherspoon (30), Quentin Lake (26)
- San Francisco 49ers: Tre Brown (27), Renardo Green (24), Deommodore Lenoir (25)
- Seattle Seahawks: Nick Emmanwori (21), Riq Woolen (26), Devon Witherspoon (24)
Safeties (S)
- Arizona Cardinals: Jalen Thompson (26), Budda Baker (29)
- Los Angeles Rams: Kam Curl (26), Kamren Kinchens (22)
- San Francisco 49ers: Ji’Ayir Brown (25), Richie Grant (27)
- Seattle Seahawks: Julian Love (27), Coby Bryant (26)
Ranking of average starter age by position group (youngest to oldest)
Quarterbacks (QB)
- San Francisco 49ers: 25
- Arizona Cardinals: 27
- Seattle Seahawks: 27
- Los Angeles Rams: 37
Running Backs (RB)
- Seattle Seahawks: 24
- Los Angeles Rams: 24
- San Francisco 49ers: 26
- Arizona Cardinals: 27
Tight Ends (TE)
- Arizona Cardinals: 24
- Seattle Seahawks: 24
- Los Angeles Rams: 26.67
- San Francisco 49ers: 27.67
Wide Receivers (WR)
- Arizona Cardinals: 25.67
- San Francisco 49ers: 26
- Los Angeles Rams: 26.67
- Seattle Seahawks: 28
Offensive Line (OL)
- Seattle Seahawks: 24.6
- Arizona Cardinals: 26
- Los Angeles Rams: 28
- San Francisco 49ers: 29.6
Edge
- San Francisco 49ers: 23.5
- Seattle Seahawks: 25
- Los Angeles Rams: 25.5
- Arizona Cardinals: 26.5
Linebackers (LB)
- Seattle Seahawks: 25
- San Francisco 49ers: 26
- Arizona Cardinals: 27
- Los Angeles Rams: 27
Defensive Line (DL)
- San Francisco 49ers: 24
- Los Angeles Rams: 26.67
- Seattle Seahawks: 28
- Arizona Cardinals: 30.67
Cornerbacks (CB)
- Arizona Cardinals: 22.67
- Seattle Seahawks: 23.67
- San Francisco 49ers: 25.33
- Los Angeles Rams: 29.33
Safeties (S)
- Los Angeles Rams: 24
- San Francisco 49ers: 26
- Seattle Seahawks: 26.5
- Arizona Cardinals: 27.5
Ranking of Starting Offenses (Youngest to Oldest):
- Arizona Cardinals: 26.69
- Seattle Seahawks: 26.85
- Los Angeles Rams: 28.23
- San Francisco 49ers: 28.38
Ranking of Starting Defenses (Youngest to Oldest):
- San Francisco 49ers: 25.75
- Seattle Seahawks: 26.50
- Los Angeles Rams: 26.75
- Arizona Cardinals: 27.67
Ranking of Average Age of All Starters (Youngest to Oldest):
- Seattle Seahawks: 26.68
- San Francisco 49ers: 27.12
- Arizona Cardinals: 27.16
- Los Angeles Rams: 27.52
Biggest assumptions
There were a few positions where educated guesses were made about who would be the starters. For Seattle, the interior offensive line is in flux, but whether Christian Haynes, Anthony Bradford, Sataoa Laumea or Bryce Cabeldue win the right guard spot won’t have a huge impact on average age. Jalen Sundell and Olu Oluwatimi are the same age at center, so that battle is a draw when it comes to age.
Tory Horton or Jake Bobo could push Marquez Valdes-Scantling for snaps as the third receiver, which would reduce the average age considerably for that group. Boye Mafe and Derick Hall were the starters last year, but if DeMarcus Lawrence and/or Uchenna Nwosu grab starting spots, that would increase the age of the edge group. If Josh Jobe winds up getting more snaps than Nick Emmanwori, that would increase the age of the CB starters for Seattle.
For San Francisco, it may be a big assumption that both of their rookie defensive tackles win starting spots. If one of them falters, that would increase their average age. There is also some guessing about the third cornerback position and the safety to replace injured Malik Mustapha.
The Rams may wind up with different starting linebackers and corners. Arizona could have a different edge opposite Josh Sweat, and their rookie linebacker may win a starting spot. It is also possible Will Johnson does not win a starting spot at corner.
Generally, though, these feel like relatively stable predicted starters across the board.
Observations
Seattle Seahawks: Young Overall, Second-Youngest Offense: The Seahawks project to have the youngest overall starting roster and the second-youngest starting offense in the NFC West. Their starting defense also skews younger than the Cardinals and Rams.
San Francisco 49ers: Oldest Offense, Youngest Defense: The 49ers project to have the oldest starting offense in the NFC West. However, they also boast the youngest starting defense, highlighting a significant age disparity between their offensive and defensive units. That does not typically bode well for a team that fancies itself a Super Bowl contender.
Los Angeles Rams: Experienced Offense and Oldest Overall: The Rams have the third-oldest starting offense and the oldest overall starting roster. That was surprising given how young the Rams feel on defense and along their offensive line, and running back group. Their defense has a more moderate age profile, slightly older than the Seahawks and 49ers.
Arizona Cardinals: Youngest Offense, Oldest Defense: The Cardinals have the youngest starting offense in the NFC West. However, their starting defense has the highest average age in the division, showcasing a clear contrast in the experience levels of their offensive and defensive units. Their defensive line skews things, but their safeties are “middle-aged” and there is some of that in their edge and linebacker group as well.
This age analysis provides a useful snapshot of where each team stands in their respective transitions as the NFC West’s evolution continues. Whether it’s the Seahawks embracing a youthful offensive core, the 49ers betting on a fresh defensive wave, the Cardinals balancing a young attack with veteran defenders, or the Rams navigating an ongoing shift, clear strategic bets are being made. The coming seasons will reveal how these investments in youth and experience ultimately shape the fiercely competitive landscape of the NFC West. Keep watching, because the next chapter of the division is just beginning to be written.