2024 Arizona Cardinals Preview

Offensive Line

The return of Kyler Murray helped the Cardinals climb to 4th in rushing yards (2,365 – 492 more than in 2022) with 17 touchdowns and 23 runs of 20 yards or more. They averaged only 5.0 yards per carry with 27.7 attempts per game.

Arizona dropped to 26th in passing yards (3,430) with 18 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. They gained 6.2 yards per pass attempt with only 38 completions over 20 yards, with a league-low three catches reaching the 40-yard mark. Their offensive line allowed 42 sacks.

The Cardinals' rebuilding process started in 2024, thanks to two first-round draft picks (WR Marvin Harrison Jr. and DE Darius Robinson). They had 12 selections this year, with two going toward their offensive line (G Isaiah Adams – 3.7 and T Christian Jones – 5.27).

Adams worked his way to the Big Ten (Illinois) via two lower-level programs (Laurier University and Garden City Community College). Over the past two seasons at a Division I school, he made 25 starts between left guard (14), left tackle (1), and right tackle (10). His running blocking is well ahead of his pass-protecting skills thanks to his strength, quickness, and ability to win on the move. The rest of his package will come with improvement in his technique and experience. Adams’ first step is to have cleaner reads in his blocking assignments.

Jones switched from left tackle (12 starts in 2021) to right tackle (26 starts) over the past two seasons for Texas. He looks the part of a ranging player with strength, reach, and hands. Jones tries to be the first mover after the snap on too many plays, leading to him putting him out of position to make a winning block. His quickness can’t match the top pass-rushing defenders in the NFL.

Offense

The Cardinals ran the ball 45.9% of the time, compared to 39.5% in 2022. Arizona attempted 109 fewer passes than the previous year. Adding Marvin Harrison Jr. gives Kyler Murray a frontline wideout who should be on a path to have a long, successful career in the NFL. I expect the Cardinals to throw the ball in 2024.

Quarterbacks

Kyler Murray, ARI

After an excellent season in 2020 (4,790 combined yards with 37 touchdowns), Murray missed three matchups midseason in 2021 with an ankle issue that lingered for the remainder of the year. He had regression rushing the ball (88/423/5 – 133/819/11 in 2020), but his completion rate (69.2) and yards per pass attempt (7.9) were career highs. Murray started the year with two impact games (37.45 and 39.10 fantasy points in four-point passing), followed by four steady showings (22.70, 25.30, 28.05, and 25.05 fantasy points) over the next five weeks. Over his final six starts, he passed for 1,511 yards and three touchdowns with a rebound in explosiveness in the run game (39/276/2).

In 2022, Murray had a dull feel over his first seven starts, leading to one impact game (305 combined yards with two touchdowns) and two par outcomes in fantasy points (22.55 and 25.95) in four-point passing touchdown leagues. After an uptick in production in Week 8 (362/3), he missed seven of their next nine games with a hamstring issue and a torn ACL in his left knee. His best value as a runner came over his final five full starts (38/382/1). Murray didn’t have a completion of 40 yards or more while gaining a career-low 6.1 yards per pass attempt.

Last year, the Cardinals didn’t get Murray back into the starting lineup until Week 10. He ran the ball better than expected (44/244/3) over his eight games, considering his recovery from knee surgery. Murray scored between 20.00 and 27.00 fantasy points in six of his eight starts despite offering only one winning day passing the ball (232/3). He gained 6.7 yards per pass attempt. His stats last year, projected over 17 games, would have ranked him sixth at quarterback.

Fantasy Outlook: With an offseason to regain health, Murray looks poised to be a better all-around player in 2024. The combination of TE Trey McBride and WR Marvin Harrison gives the Cardinals a much higher floor in their pass attack this year than in 2023. Murray ranks 10th at quarterback in late July. I set his early bar at 4,500 combined yards with 31 touchdowns, putting him on a path for his second-best season.

Desmond Ridder, ARI

Ridder was a four-year starter in college who relied on his legs to make many plays (501/2,180/28). In 2021, he helped Cincinnati to an undefeated regular season (13-0) before bowing out to Alabama in the BCS Championship Series. He had growth in the passing game (3,334 yards with 30 touchdowns and eight interceptions) while finishing with a step back in rushing production (110/355/6 – 3.2 yards per carry). Over his final three seasons, Ridder went 33-4, with three losses coming against Ohio State, Georgia, and Alabama.

His movements in the pocket and the run game have similarities to DeSean Watson, but Ridder doesn’t have the arm strength or accuracy in the deep passing game. He wants to throw first while having the speed and running ability to make chunk plays if Ridder sees an opening at the line of scrimmage. When in rhythm, he’ll make quick decisions over the short areas of the field. Cincinnati lined him up in the shotgun on most plays while using their backs more as a safety outlet in the passing game rather than a play-action run threat. When asked to challenge a defense downfield, Ridder chose air over arm strength, which may be a problem in the NFL.

In his rookie season, the Falcons gave him four starts, leading to 764 combined yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. His best showing came in Week 18 (233/2).

Ridder's test drive for the Falcons in 2023 was 15 games. He finished with 3,029 combined yards, 12 passing touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He ran the ball 53 times for 193 yards and five scores, but Ridder had 12 fumbles (7 lost). His best three fantasy days (339/2, 325/2, and 362/2) came at home. Atlanta shipped to the Cardinals in March for WR Rondale Moore.

Fantasy Outlook: Ridder will compete for the backup quarterback job for Arizona this season. He must cut down his turnovers before pushing for starting snaps down the road.

Clayton Tune, ARI

His mechanics need work to improve his accuracy under duress and on the move. He can read defenses, but his arm doesn’t always have the fire to win in tight coverage.

Over five seasons in college, Tune passed for 11,996 yards with 104 touchdowns and 41 interceptions. He was also active in the run game (412/1,256/15). In his senior year, Tune gained 4,618 combined yards with 45 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His production rushing the ball peaked in 2022 (128/544/2).

The Cardinals had him on the field for 60 snaps in his rookie season, leading to 92 combined yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Fantasy Outlook: Tune improved each year in college, but the addition of Desmond Ridder pushes him lower on the depth chart.

Running Backs

Arizona’s running backs set three-year highs in rushing yards (1,833) and yards per carry (4.9), but they lost momentum in his receiving stats (66/371/3 on 84 targets). Their backs gained only 5.6 yards per catch while accounting for 11% of the Cardinals’ receiving yards.