Overview
Last season was yet another edition of the "Falling Off the Kliff Kingsburgy Special," culminating with a wild card loss to the Rams.
They dealt with a rocky offseason, having seen DeAndre Hopkins getting suspended six games and seeing Chandler Jones, Christian Kirk, and Chase Edmonds go to Las Vegas, Jacksonville, and Miami, respectively. Jones was their most reliable edge rusher, leaving a void they need to fill if they want to rush the QB. Kirk has been their reliable WR2, while Edmonds was their primary RB2.
They did bring back James Conner and Zach Ertz for the next three years, with the former breaking out last season with 18 total touchdowns. They also brought in Marquise Brown, a timely acquisition in the wake of Hopkins' suspension for testing positive for PEDs. Will Hernandez is also brought in too for some stability on the offensive line.
Even if they didn't have a first rounder, Trey McBride was considered as the top TE coming out of college, so the Cardinals sought out to get him in Round 2. With Ertz getting extended, don't expect much from McBride in his rookie season, though he can push for reps.
Cameron Thomas broke out in 2021 (10.5 sacks, 39 TFL, 71 tackles), so he can make a push to be the starting edge rusher opposite Markus Golden. Myjai Sanders played better in 2020 than he did in 2021 and is seen as a project edge, so don't expect much from him.
Questions rise on how the offense looks without Hopkins, and if they can avoid another late-season collapse.
Draft Picks
Round | Pick | Position | Player | College |
2 | 55 | TE | Trey McBride | Colorado State |
3 | 87 | DE | Cameron Thomas | San Diego State |
3 | 100 | DE | Myjai Sanders | Cincinnati |
6 | 201 | RB | Keaontay Ingram | USC |
6 | 215 | OG | Lecitus Smith | Virginia Tech |
7 | 244 | CB | Christian Matthew | Valodsta State |
7 | 256 | LB | Jesse Luketa | Penn State |
7 | 257 | OG | Marquis Hayes | Oklahoma |
Key Losses
OLB Chandler Jones: Signed with Raiders
WR Christian Kirk: Signed with Jaguars
RB Chase Edmonds: Signed with Dolphins
ILB Jordan Hicks: Signed with Vikings
CB Robert Alford: Unsigned free agent
Key Additions & Extensions
RB James Conner: 3-year extension, $21 million
WR Marquise Brown: Acquired via trade from Ravens
TE Zach Ertz: 3-year extension, $31.65 million
OG Will Hernandez: 1-year deal
RB Darrel Williams: 1-year deal
Biggest Questions
What will the offense be like without DeAndre Hopkins?
How will the edge rusher spot opposite of Markus Golden be like?
Who takes the majority of the reps at the Mike linebacker spot?
Who will take the third cornerback spot alongside Byron Murphy Jr. and Marco Wilson?
Will the Cardinals avoid another late-season collapse?
Schedule
Week 1: Sunday, 9/11, vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 PM on CBS
Week 2: Sunday, 9/18, at Las Vegas Raiders, 4:25 PM on CBS
Week 3: Sunday, 9/25, vs. Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 PM on FOX
Week 4: Sunday, 10/2, at Carolina Panthers, 4:05 PM on FOX
Week 5: Sunday, 10/9, vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 4:25 PM on FOX
Week 6: Sunday, 10/16, at Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 PM on FOX
Week 7: Thursday, 10/20, vs. New Orleans Saints, 8:15 PM on AMAZON PRIME
Week 8: Sunday, 10/30, at Minnesota Vikings, 1:00 PM on FOX
Week 9: Sunday, 11/6, vs. Seattle Seahawks, 4:05 PM on FOX
Week 10: Sunday, 11/13, at Los Angeles Rams, 4:25 PM on FOX
Week 11: Monday, 11/21, vs. San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 PM on ESPN (Game played at Mexico City)
Week 12: Sunday, 11/27, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 PM on CBS
Week 13: BYE WEEK
Week 14: Monday, 12/12, vs. New England Patriots, 8:15 PM on ESPN
Week 15: Sunday, 12/18, at Denver Broncos, 4:05 PM on FOX
Week 16: Sunday, 12/25, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 8:20 PM on NBC
Week 17: Sunday, 1/1, at Atlanta Falcons, 1:00 PM on FOX
Week 18: 1/7 or 1/8, at San Francisco 49ers, Time and network TBD
Projected Starters
1 RB 3 WR 1 TE Offense
Position | # | Player |
QB | 1 | Kyler Murray |
RB | 6 | James Conner |
WR | 10 | DeAndre Hopkins |
WR | 2 | Marquise Brown |
WR | 18 | AJ Green |
TE | 86 | Zach Ertz |
LT | 74 | DJ Humphries |
LG | 67 | Justin Pugh |
C | 61 | Rodney Hudson |
RG | 76 | Will Hernandez |
RT | 68 | Kelvin Beachum |
Base 3-4 Defense
Position | # | Player |
DL | 99 | JJ Watt |
NT | 90 | Rashard Lawrence |
DL | 94 | Zach Allen |
OLB | 42 | Devon Kennard |
ILB | 25 | Zaven Collins |
ILB | 9 | Isaiah Simmons |
OLB | 44 | Markus Golden |
CB | 7 | Byron Murphy Jr. |
SS | 34 | Jalen Thompson |
FS | 3 | Budda Baker |
CB | 20 | Marco Wilson |
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