Several factors go into building a consistently elite dynasty team. One of those is identifying the top player on every NFL team. Another is knowing which players you should trade away before their fantasy value decreases.

Typically the starting quarterback is the top dynasty asset on every NFL team in Superflex leagues. However, they are rarely the top asset in 1QB leagues. To help you build the best dynasty team possible, I will identify the top dynasty asset and sell candidates for every NFL team.

Today I break down the NFC West teams: the Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, and Seattle Seahawks.

• Dynasty Stock Report & Trade Advice AFC: East | North | South | West
• Dynasty Stock Report & Trade Advice NFC: East | North | South | West
• Dynasty Startup Draft Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE
• Dynasty Rookie Primers: QB | RB | WR | TE

The Top Dynasty Asset

Here are the top dynasty assets for each NFC West team.

Marquise Brown (WR – ARI)

A year from now, we could be talking about Caleb Williams in Arizona. However, Brown is currently the top dynasty asset for the Cardinals. The former Oklahoma star had a disappointing first year with the team, ending the year as the WR46. Unfortunately, Brown missed five games because of a foot injury. Yet, he was the WR6, averaging 14.7 half-point point per reception (PPR) fantasy points per game before getting hurt.

Meanwhile, Arizona released DeAndre Hopkins this offseason and only spent one pick in the NFL Draft on a wide receiver. While Kyler Murray likely won’t play until the second half this season, Brown averaged seven targets per game in the five contests without the star quarterback last year.

Cooper Kupp (WR – LAR)

Yes, Kupp recently turned 30, but I couldn’t care less. The superstar was the WR1 on a points-per-game basis last year, averaging 18.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he ended the year as the WR24 despite missing half the season with an ankle injury. More importantly, Kupp has been arguably the most consistent wide receiver over the past two years.

He scored 12.7 or more fantasy points in all but one game over the past two seasons, removing the matchup last year when he suffered the ankle injury. The Rams have a limited receiving core, so don’t be surprised if Kupp ends the 2023 season as the WR1.

Christian McCaffrey (RB – SF)

After struggling with injuries the previous two years, McCaffrey returned to his elite form last season. The superstar was the RB2, averaging 18.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Yet, he had only eight rushing touchdowns, while every other running back in the top six had at least 10. More importantly, McCaffrey near unstoppable once he joined the 49ers.

Following his first game with the team, the superstar was the RB1 through the end of the year, averaging 20.5 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, the veteran averaged 5.9 targets per game last season in San Francisco. While he recently turned 27, McCaffrey has a few more elite years left in his career.

DK Metcalf (WR – SEA)

Metcalf’s dynasty value took a hit when the Seahawks used a first-round pick on Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Yet, the former Ole Miss star is still the top receiver in Seattle. Metcalf averaged 10.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game last year, the lowest average since his rookie season. However, he set a career-high in receptions (90) and targets (141).

More importantly, the veteran had a career-low six receiving touchdowns after averaging 11 per season the past two years. Therefore, Metcalf should have positive regression in his second year with Geno Smith. While Smith-Njigba will limit his long-term upside, Metcalf remains the No. 1 wide receiver in Seattle.

The Top Sell Candidate

Here are players to consider trading away on each NFC West team.

James Conner (RB – ARI)

The veteran is a steal in redraft leagues, as the Cardinals have no reason to run Conner into the ground this year. However, dynasty players without a legit contending roster should trade away the former Pittsburgh star during the 2023 season. Conner saw his half-point PPR fantasy points per game average drop by 14.5% from 2021 to last year.

Furthermore, he was less productive despite seeing more touches per game (15.9 vs. 17.6) and averaging more yards per rushing attempt (3.7 vs. 4.3). More importantly, the Cardinals can save $5.5 million in cap space by releasing the veteran next offseason. Conner could be in a similar situation as Leonard Fournette a year from now.

Tyler Higbee (TE – LAR)

It wasn’t too long ago when the Rams had an offense full of talented players. Now the only two players I want are Cooper Kupp and Cam Akers. Yet, Higbee has enough name value that fantasy players could get a late-round rookie pick for the tight end. Last year the veteran was the TE9. However, he was only the TE18 on a points-per-game basis, finishing 0.3 half-point PPR fantasy points a game ahead of Jordan Akins.

More importantly, Higbee had 72 receptions on 108 targets last year, both career highs. Unfortunately, he averaged only 6.8 fantasy points per game, his lowest average in four years. Now is the time to get the veteran off your team.

Deebo Samuel (WR – SF)

Hopefully, fantasy players sold high on Samuel last offseason. However, better late than never. The veteran was the WR2 in 2021, averaging 18.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Samuel had 59 rushing attempts for 365 yards and eight touchdowns that year. Unfortunately, things changed last season. The veteran missed four games because of injury, ending the year as the WR37, averaging 10.8 fantasy points per game.

More importantly, his fantasy production tanked after the team added Christian McCaffrey. Samuel averaged 12.9 fantasy points per game before McCaffrey’s arrival but only nine fantasy points per game with the superstar on the roster. Meanwhile, Brandon Aiyuk is the new No. 1 wide receiver after his top-15 finish last year.

Tyler Lockett (WR – SEA)

Lockett has totaled at least 1,000 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in four straight seasons. However, his fantasy points per game average declined for the third consecutive year in 2022. The veteran wide receiver averaged 13.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game in 2020, a career-high. Then, he averaged 12.8 fantasy points per game two years ago before averaging 12.2 fantasy points per game last season.

Meanwhile, Lockett turns 31 during the 2023 season, and the Seahawks spent a first-round pick on Jaxon Smith-Njigba. After finishing last year as the WR13, now is the time to put the veteran wide receiver on the trade block.

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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.