The “triplets” came into NFL vogue in the 1990s when the Dallas Cowboys were winning Super Bowls.
The original triplets were quarterback Troy Aikman, running back Emmitt Smith and wide receiver Michael Irvin. They led Dallas to three Super Bowl victories in four years.
All three players are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Got us thinking about the Cardinals’ triplets and how they grade against the NFC West’s triplets. As the teams roll into minicamps, we have the powerful Rams’ triplets as No. 1, followed by the Cardinals, 49ers and Seahawks.
Next, let’s identify Arizona’s trio, then grade each team's skill group. We’ll follow the Cowboys’ model and go with a wide receiver (Marvin Harrison Jr.) over a tight end (Trey McBride).
Grading the quarterback-running back-receiver trios in the NFC West
Cardinals: quarterback Kyler Murray, running back James Conner, and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Conner was outstanding in 2024, rushing for 1,094 yards and eight touchdowns behind an offensive line that could use an upgrade for 2025. Murray and Harrison were inconsistent but have shown flashes of what they might be.
A better offensive line could improve the fortunes of all three of the Cardinals’ triplets. Arizona’s ceiling would seem to be second to the Rams’ trio.
Grade: B-minus
Rams: quarterback Matthew Stafford, running back Kyren Williams, and wide receiver Davante Adams
The Rams’ triplets are the class of the NFC West.
Stafford, 37, has thrown for 59,809 yards in a 16-year career. He also has won a Super Bowl. He didn’t look 37 in last year’s playoffs; he looked like a quarterback in command as the Rams upset the Vikings and nearly shocked the Eagles in Philadelphia in the divisional round.
Williams averaged 1,221 yards rushing in each of the last two years. He scored 26 rushing touchdowns over the last two seasons. He will turn 25 in August.
Adams, a three-time All-Pro, was acquired via free agency this offseason. He’s 32 with 11 seasons under his belt. But he has 11,844 receiving yards and has 103 touchdown passes.
Grade: A
Seahawks: quarterback Sam Darnold, running back Kenneth Walker III, and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba
The Seahawks would be more formidable if they hadn’t traded DK Metcalf to the Steelers in the offseason. This will be Darnold’s first season in Seattle after the free agent left the Vikings after a career year in 2024.
Darnold replaces last year’s starter Geno Smith, who was traded to the Raiders. If Darnold matches his numbers from last season, this grade would be higher.
Walker gained 573 yards in 11 games. Smith-Njigba had 100 catches for 1,130 yards and six touchdowns.
Grade: C-minus
49ers: quarterback Brock Purdy, running back Christian McCaffrey, and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk
Grading the 49ers greatly depends on your view of Purdy. Opinions seem to range from grossly overpaid and average, to the next Joe Montana for the polarizing quarterback. I’m a show-me with Purdy. He’s had his moments, he’s played in a Super Bowl, but he hasn’t yet shown the consistency to be considered an elite quarterback.
McCaffrey, when healthy, is an elite running back. He led the NFL in rushing yards in 2023 with 1,459 yards. In 2024, he was plagued by injuries and gained 202 yards in four games. He’ll also turn 29 in June.
Aiyuk also dealt with injuries in 2024. He had 25 catches in seven games.
Grade: C
2024 ‘triplets’ rankings
NFL.com ranked triplets going into the 2024 season. The Cardinals, with the same three players as my triplets, ranked 19th; the Seahawks 17th (with only Walker from this year’s group); the Rams sixth (with Puca Nacua); and the 49ers second, with the same three players.
The Eagles were ranked No. 1 with quarterback Jalen Hurts, running back Saquon Barkley and wide receiver A.J. Brown.