Last year was a frustrating one for rostering Arizona Cardinal players. After having slipped a bit in 2021, Kyler Murray seemed to be primed to bounce back to be closer to the top two or three QB that he was in 2020. Instead, after missing six games due to injury, he ended up as QB18 for the year. The Cardinals’ number-one wide receiver, DeAndre Hopkins also missed six games at the beginning of the year because of a suspension and then two at the end after spraining his knee. When he played he was the ninth-best receiver in Fantasy points per game.
Their best running back, James Conner missed four games because of injury and left three others early. When he was healthy though, he averaged 17 Fantasy points per game. Not to be outdone, Zack Ertz had a great season through Week 10. He was the third-best tight end in the NFL. Then he tore his ACL and MCL.
Arizona Cardinals Fantasy Football Preview
Key Subtractions and Additions
Subtractions: Darrek Williams (RB), Trace McSorley (QB), Maxx Williams (TE), A.J. Green (WR)
Additions: Jeff Driskel (QB), Zack Pascal (WR), Matt Prater (K), Michael Wilson (WR), Clayton Tune (QB), and a new coaching staff.
Positional Previews
Quarterback
Kyler Murray, Colt McCoy, Clayton Tune, David Blough
Well, this is a mess. It’s not just that Kyler Murray is hurt but it’s the part of him that is hurt. He tore his ACL on December 12. What makes this important is that even if he manages to come back quickly, there is no way he will be getting you 40 yards per game running the ball and that is a big part of his Fantasy appeal. His running will definitely be limited. Also, this is no longer the Kliff Kingsbury system of throw and then throw some more. Look for a much more balanced offense which will decrease his Fantasy value even more.
Fewer games played, less running for Kyler, and fewer yards through the air will not offer much upside in 2023. This year he may be only worth drafting as a backup or a late-round grab in a dynasty league if you have ample room on your bench.
Colt McCoy is now 36 years old. He started last year on injured reserve due to a calf injury. He had a neck injury in Week 14 and missed the last couple of weeks due to a concussion. McCoy is still recovering from an unspecified injury and may not be ready for the start of the season. At this point in his career, I think his best position is one in the broadcast booth. He is already testing that market by broadcasting USFL games for NBC. Even if he is still on the team I see no reason to draft him.
David Blough started a couple of games last year because of all the injuries and wasn’t awful. However, the Cardinals felt the need to draft Tune in the fifth round and he does have much more upside than Blough. Neither has much Fantasy appeal for 2023 until there is some word on how long Murray will be out.
Running Back
James Conner, Keaontay Ingram, Corey Clement, Ty’Son Williams
This seems like a unit that is a bit incomplete.
When healthy, James Conner is very good. He is being ranked as an RB20 -RB25. So, if he is your second running back, that is a nice pick, especially if the new regime is expected to run more. The only problem with Conner is that he has averaged only 13 games per season over the last six years.
Ingram did get some work filling in for Conner last year but didn’t do enough to make me want to recommend him even as a handcuff. For deep leagues, Cory Clement could be someone you want to add to your watch list if Conner and Ingram are both hurt.
The media in Arizona are hinting that a running back will be added before training camp. If it is someone like Kareem Hunt that would be someone you should definitely handcuff to Conner.
Wide Receiver
DeAndre Hopkins, Marquise Brown, Rondale Moore, Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, Zack Pascal
This is a very good group of wide receivers. With Hopkins, Brown, and Moore the average ADP sits at 39, 74, and 117 respectively. This is as of today. All bets are off though if Hopkins gets traded which seems to be a very fluid proposition. If things stay the same, I will probably move all of them down five to ten spots just because of the uncertainty of who will be throwing them the ball. There is also a new offensive scheme they will have to learn. My guess is the Fantasy points will be much better in the second half after they get their QB back. Keep an eye on this situation because I think by the second half, there may be some great buy-low opportunities here.
Tight End
Zack Ertz, Trey McBride, Bernhard Seikovits, Chris Pierce JR
Zack Ertz is now 32 and coming off of knee surgery. It is very unlikely he will be ready by Week 1. He is drafted as TE21 and I think that is a bit too high. With the surgery, his age, a questionable quarterback situation, and a new head coach I am leaving him for someone else to draft.
Trey McBride is someone I like much better. He was the first TE taken in last year’s draft. If you look at the last four games of the season he averaged 10.75 Fantasy points per game. He should be the Cardinals’ No. 1 TE until Ertz comes back. Even then, if he performs well, he may keep the top spot on the depth chart. It’s always hard to predict how a new coaching staff will operate, but if they prefer to use more two tight-end sets than they used last year and he gets the larger target share then his ranking of TE18 will climb.
Defense/Special Teams
Last year this was one of the league’s worse defenses. Just on points allowed, they ranked 31st. They lost Zack Allen, and J.J. Watt and now Budda Baker has requested a trade. The new head coach Jonathan Gannon was the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles so once he can get his system in place with better players, there will be improvement. Just not this year.
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