32 NFL Teams in 32 Days: Cardinals Need Their Offense to Lift Up a Young Defense

The previous two seasons have been agonizing for the Arizona Cardinals, with the workforce compiling an 8–26 record. And whilst there continue being very clear challenges with the roster, there’s purpose for legitimate hope.

With Kyler Murray wholesome for the start of this period and mentor Jonathan Gannon getting into his 2nd calendar year, matters are strengthening.

Which starts with Murray and connects to rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The No. 4 choose in April’s NFL draft, Harrison registered 144 catches for 2,474 yards and 28 touchdowns about his very last two seasons with Ohio Point out.

Despite the fact that he’s a rookie, Harrison figures to promptly elevate the offense.

If almost nothing else, Arizona shouldn’t be uninteresting in 2024.

Biggest gamble this offseason: Not producing veteran defensive updates

While the Cardinals poured draft means into fixing their 25th-rated protection of a yr back, they did extremely little in absolutely free agency to help the children come along without pressure.

Up front, standard manager Monti Ossenfort brought in Justin Jones to play inside. Jones notched 4.5 sacks with the Chicago Bears in 2023, having said that he was the only notable veteran addition to a front seven desperately needing additional playmaking. 

In the secondary, Ossenfort signed Sean Murphy-Bunting to a a few-yr, $22.5 million deal, hoping to give a stalwart on a single aspect. However, Arizona will be painfully slender at corner if next-spherical choose Max Melton is not immediately completely ready.

Hardest stretch of the year: Weeks 5 to 8

With the NFC obtaining the more dwelling game this 12 months, there are not far too a lot of teams with a tough highway agenda to navigate. 

Regrettably for the Cardinals, which is not the situation. In October, Arizona will perform a few of its 4 games on the street, such as a quick-week, cross-nation excursion to get on the Miami Dolphins.

The extend starts in 7 days 5 with visits to the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers, two playoff teams from a 12 months in the past. Then, the Cardinals will arrive house for a Monday evening game against Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers before heading to Miami Gardens.

Breakout player to check out: TE Trey McBride

By two seasons, McBride is 1 of the league’s most effective-stored insider secrets on a countrywide stage.

Last calendar year, he starred for the Cardinals in spite of horrific quarterback engage in for a lot of the yr, catching 81 passes for 825 yards and a few touchdowns. With Murray now again and Harrison drawing coverage, seem for the third-calendar year person out of Colorado Condition to have a Pro Bowl marketing campaign.

In 2023, only 6 limited finishes experienced a lot more getting yardage, and just 4 eclipsed his reception full. If he can go on his ascension, McBride is on tempo to come to be a person of the greatest young move catchers in the match.

Finest-scenario state of affairs: Murray and the offense are prepared to consider wing

The offense is Arizona’s best hope for building a surprise playoff push. When a younger defense will get its legs, Murray & Co. have to have the workforce in some significant scoring wins.

The very good information? The Cardinals may possibly have the firepower. They are loaded with youthful talent which includes Harrison, McBride and second-calendar year wideout Michael Wilson. Then there is Murray, who irrespective of playing five NFL seasons is only 26 years old and loaded with potential.

In 2020 and ’21, Murray threw for 50 touchdowns against only 22 interceptions, making the Professional Bowl every yr. He also ran for a merged 1,242 yards and 16 scores. If he’s healthy, the Cardinals could be dangerous on offense.

Worst-case state of affairs: Murray simply cannot stay healthful and the protection is not ready

If, for the third consecutive 12 months, the Cardinals can’t get a complete time out of Murray, that would necessarily mean Desmond Ridder to the rescue.

However the major dilemma mark for Arizona is the defense. The Cardinals completed 29th in yards per perform towards (5.7), 32nd versus the run (143.2 yards for every sport), 31st in force charge (17.1%) and 30th in sacks (33) past 12 months. If not, things were being great. 

To treatment that device, Arizona drafted edge rusher Darius Robinson in the to start with spherical, corners Elijah Jones and Melton on Working day 2, basic safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson in the fourth spherical and linebacker Xavier Thomas in the fifth. If they’re not completely ready to contribute immediately, it could be another extended calendar year for the defense.

Head mentor-quarterback tandem ranking

No. 28: Jonathan Gannon (28) and Kyler Murray (18)

A yr back, this appeared like a looming disaster. Murray was coming off a torn ACL preceded by a agreement like language about studying in the course of the 7 days. Then there was Gannon, a employ the service of commonly panned at the time. Right now, Gannon is promising and Murray is fully balanced, surrounded by McBride, Harrison and a roster bolstered by 12 draft picks. 

Sleeper/fantasy select: Harrison

I love Harrison this time. In simple fact, I have him ranked in advance of Davante Adams in my re-draft rank record amongst wideouts. He was the most effective broad receiver in the 2024 class, and he landed in the ideal location with a Cardinals offense that will use him as an alpha proper out of the gates. With Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Rondale Moore long gone, Harrison will see a lot of targets in Yr 1. —Michael Fabiano

Very best guess:  Marvin Harrison Jr. most rookie receiving yards (+175) at DraftKings

Harrison is the most loved for this guess for very good explanation. Really simply just, it is Harrison or bust with Brown long gone to the Chiefs. Murray has a good deal still left in the tank, and I anticipate a major yr for the talented rookie out of Ohio Point out with pedigree. Even superior? This guess features a nice moreover-income payout. —Jennifer Piacenti

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject matter to change.

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