Arizona Cardinals

What you need to know (2023 Season):

• Record: 4-13 (Last in NFC West)

• Points Per Game: 19.4 (T-24th)

• Points Per Game Weeks 10-18 (Post Kyler Murray Injury): 22.38

In Jonathan Gannon’s first season as head coach, it went pretty much as expected. Kyler Murray started the season sidelined with an injury, so it was on Joshua Dobbs to keep the team afloat until he returned. Despite his best efforts and fantasy’s QB12 week’s 1-8, Dobbs had a record of 1-7. The season was already lost by the time Kyler Murray returned, but he finished the season with a 3-5 record while getting some experience in the new offense and building chemistry with his teammates. It was always going to be a “building” season in Arizona last year, so they’ll look forward to competing in 2024.

• Key Additions: Desmond Ridder (Traded from Falcons)

• Draft Picks: None

• Notable Losses: Joshua Dobbs (Signed with 49ers)

During the first 8 weeks, while Joshua Dobbs was starting for Arizona, Dobbs was the QB12. Once healthy and returned to action in week 10, Kyler Murray was the QB9 from weeks 10-18. Despite having a lackluster receiver room, both quarterbacks were able to put up QB1 numbers during their stints as the starter. Kyler Murray showed he is still an elite fantasy quarterback with a safe floor with his rushing abilities. With the addition of Marvin Harrison Jr., Murray will once again have an alpha receiver like he did with DeAndre Hopkins and Larry Fitzgerald. As long as Murray can stay healthy he’ll be an elite fantasy option. Every season he’s played 14 or more games, Murray has finished as a top-10 fantasy quarterback and this upcoming season should be no different.

The Backfield

• Key Additions: None

• Draft Picks: Trey Benson (3rd Round)

• Notable Losses: None

James Conner is still playing at a high level. Last season he was RB18 on the year, but RB13 in points per game in PPR leagues. Injuries are hard to predict, but certain players are just prone to missing time. Conner averages 13 games played per season, so it's likely he’ll miss some time during the season.

The backup to own in this backfield is rookie 3rd rounder Trey Benson from Florida State. One of the top running backs in this draft class will sit behind James Conner this season, but he’ll get his fair share of opportunities. Conner’s contract currently expires after the season, so Benson is in prime position to be the 1B this season before eventually taking over as the top runner, whether that is later this season or next. Both Conner and Benson should offer weekly upside, but Benson will be a bench stash to start the season.

The Pass-Catchers

• Key Additions: None

• Draft Picks: Marvin Harrison Jr. (1st Round), Tip Reiman (3rd Round), Tejhaun Palmer (6th Round)

• Notable Losses: Marquise “Hollywood” Brown (Signed with Chiefs), Rondale Moore (Traded to Falcons), Zach Ertz (Signed with Commanders)

Arizona will be without 41.3% of their targets from a season ago. That’s roughly 223 total targets up for grabs. Some teams are rich with pass-catchers and it’s hard to narrow down the pecking order, whereas others have a couple of options to rely on. The Cardinals are the latter. Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride are going to dominate the target shares this season. From week 8 on, after Zach Ertz’s season-ending injury, Trey McBride became a target hog. He had a 27% target share and was the TE3 during that span. Marvin Harrison Jr. is the latest Ohio State wide receiver to get drafted in the first round - the 4th in the past three drafts. He’s going to be the de facto #1 receiver in Arizona and should be a borderline WR1 this season.

Michael Wilson should be the 3rd option in the passing attack, but won’t be much higher than a WR4 or WR5 for fantasy purposes. Greg Dortch is another option, but he’s more of a utility player than a redraft fantasy asset. Don’t worry about 3rd round selection tight end Tip Reiman. In his college career, he didn’t have a single season over 19 receptions. Reiman is mainly a blocking tight end and offers zero fantasy appeal.

2024 Fantasy Summary

Regardless of being one of the bottom-ranked offenses, the Arizona Cardinals still offer a few fantasy gems. Kyler Murray’s rushing prowess will elevate him into QB1 status as long as he remains upright. James Conner is a fringe low-end RB2 with upside as long as he can stay healthy and keep promising rookie Trey Benson at ease. Benson himself is a late-round bench stash that could become an RB2 if Conner were to miss time. Marvin Harrison Jr. could be the next rookie wide receiver to crack the top-10 and easily see north of a 20% target share while Trey McBride offers top-5 upside at the tight end position. Anyone else would just be a dart throw and a prayer.