Pearsall’s rookie year was crushed by a gunshot and a four‑game layoff, yet he returns with 11 receptions for 400 yards and three touchdowns, flashing big‑play potential for SF. Williams’ praise of Pearsall’s grace and leadership adds a locker‑room boost, hinting at a larger role in a crowded 49ers passing game this season.

The resilience story offers fantasy upside: a speed threat who could push into a bigger target share if health holds and usage grows. In SF’s dynamic offense, Pearsall's ceiling is real, though competition remains and a secure role will determine weekly fantasy value.

Week 1 features the NFC West’s fiercest clash as the 49ers visit Seattle. San Francisco arrives with a healthy, star-studded offense led by Purdy and friends McCaffrey, Aiyuk, and Kittle, aiming to remind the league their championship window is still wide open. Seattle counters with a revamped attack under a new scheme and Darnold at the helm, with Jaxon Smith-Njigba ready to spark the offense.

Expect a physical, sometimes messy opening half, then SF’s depth, coaching edge, and playmakers pull away. Smith-Njigba could provide the Seahawks a meaningful spark with 70+ receiving yards and a TD, while Purdy, McCaffrey, and Kittle anchor a late surge for the visitors.

Arizona Cardinals hosted six defensive players for a Monday tryout, adding immediate-depth options at Week 1. Four linebackers (Jared Bartlett, Stone Blanton, Devin Harper, Cam Riley) and two defensive linemen (Zach Carter, Denzel Daxon) took part, with one potentially earning a practice squad spot by Wednesday as the team reshapes its front seven.

Carter brings NFL familiarity, Daxon hails from the Bahamas with Cowboys preseason exposure, Harper was a 2022 sixth-round pick, Blanton and Bartlett were undrafted, and Riley is a Florida State product who didn’t make New England’s final roster. These auditions cue a swing-for-depth approach that could influence early-season IDP value and special-teams roles.

Week 1 kicks off with the Eagles-Cowboys opener, then Chiefs-Chargers in sao Paulo, followed by 13 games Sunday and one Monday night showcase. Within the NFC West, the Cardinals, Rams, 49ers, and Seahawks all play Week 1 divisional or intra-division games: Cardinals at Saints, 49ers at Seahawks, and Rams at Texans. The NFC West slate sets early division tempo and fantasy implications in a handful of high-leverage early-season clashes.

The Cardinals head to New Orleans at 1 p.m. ET (CBS), San Francisco hosts Seattle at 4:05 p.m. ET (FOX), and the Rams visit Houston at 4:25 p.m. ET (CBS). Spreads are 6.5, 2.5, and 3, respectively, offering quick reads on potential early volume and game scripts for fantasy lineups and fantasy betting bets.

Rise Up, See Red listeners can glean quick-week insights as the season unfolds, with these Week 1 matchups serving as a barometer for a few breakout starts and lane changes in the NFC West. Stay tuned for deeper dives and post-weekend takeaways as rosters settle into the new season.

San Francisco stands at an inflection point in 2025, leaning on a rising core as the window on glorious runs tightens. Purdy carries the weight of a five-year, $265 million deal and must elevate a new supporting cast to keep the offense humming. Bosa remains elite, but a younger line around him requires more dominance to keep the defense rolling. Pearsall needs a breakout year as the No. 1 option, while Shanahan’s job security adds a pressure layer on every decision.

As the 49ers navigate this crossroads, fantasy managers should watch Purdy’s development, Pearsall’s opportunity window, and the defense’s ability to adapt with rookies ready to contribute. The blend of veteran expectations and a growing young backbone signals a potential regroup-and-rise season rather than a simple continuation of the ascent.