2023 Season-In-Review

Record: 4-13

The Arizona Cardinals entered last season with expectations of being the worst team in the league. After a surprise victory over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3, Arizona would lose the next six to drop to 1-8. The Cardinals would scrap together three more wins, including a Week 17 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, which dropped the team to fourth in the 2024 NFL Draft.

2024 Arizona Cardinals Season Preview

Offense

Key Additions: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., OT Jonah Williams, C Evan Brown, QB Desmond Ridder, RB DeeJay Dallas, WR Chris Moore, RB Trey Benson

Key Losses: WR Marquise Brown, WR Rondale Moore, OT DJ Humphries

Kyler Murray tore his ACL during the 2022 season and he would go onto miss all of 2023. This is the reason the Cardinals had low expectations, including one-win projections coming into the year. Murray is back and this is a major upgrade at the position but how good can this Cardinals team be?

Well, Arizona once again has a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver on the outside. The Cardinals entered the draft as the first team in line that was not in need of a quarterback. This allowed them to make the no-brainer selection of Marvin Harrison Jr. out of Ohio State. Harrison Jr. is arguably the best player in the draft and can become one of the top receivers in the game. The overall group of receivers is underwhelming, with the likes of Greg Dortch and rookie Michael Wilson, but Harrison Jr. is going to be an immediate difference maker.

In the backfield, James Conner is back after a rock-solid campaign last season. He went for 1,000+ yards last season and scored seven touchdowns. He gives Arizona a legitimate option in the backfield. Last season, Conner looked like a player trying to prove a point to the rest of the league.

The offensive line was also addressed in the draft. Arizona drafted Isaiah Adams, who is a multi-faceted lineman who can play multiple positions. He will not start right away at tackle at this level but is likely to land a guard spot. Tackles Jonah Williams and Paris Johnson will anchor the edges. Williams comes into the mix as a free-agent addition.

The offense depends on the health of the quarterback and if another wide receiver steps up next to Harrison Jr. Murray is back under center but there is still much to be desired about this offense.

Defense

Key Additions: LB Mack Wilson, CB Sean Murphy-Bunting, DT Bilal Nichols, DT Justin Jones, CB Max Melton, DT Darius Robinson

Key Losses: DT Leki Fotu, CB Antonio Hamilton

Along with an injury at quarterback, the Cardinals did not boast a strong defense last season. The team was 31st in the league in pressure rate and ranked 26th against the run. Arizona had a second pick in the first round and used it to address these needs.

Missouri product Darius Robinson was selected 27th overall and will step into the mix right away. He is a major upgrade in the front seven after totaling 8.5 sacks for the Tigers last season. Robinson can get to the quarterback and will also help against the run. He joins other starters in Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols, who are also newcomers to this defense. Arizona lacks depth but hopes that this trio can provide a massive improvement up front.

The edge rushers were underwhelming as well. Zaven Collins was disappointing in the middle while BJ Ojulari was a non-factor.

Arizona brought in Max Melton from Rutgers with the 43rd pick in the draft. He is another upgrade in the secondary, along with third-round pick Elijah Jones. After a four-win season, the Cardinals will have many rookies volleying for playing time this season. The linebackers are expected to be weak once again as well.

The safety position is the strength of the Cardinals defense. Budda Baker is the best player on the defense while Jalen Thompson is strong in coverage.

The Cardinals have work to do defensively this season. There will be many high-scoring games played for the Cardinals considering this is a unit that can give up points in bunches.

Schedule

Week 1: at Buffalo Bills

Week 2: vs. Los Angeles Rams

Week 3: vs. Detroit Lions

Week 4: vs. Washington Commanders

Week 5: at San Francisco 49ers

Week 6: at Green Bay Packers

Week 7: vs. Los Angeles Chargers

Week 8: at Miami Dolphins

Week 9: vs. Chicago Bears

Week 10: vs. New York Jets

Week 11: BYE WEEK

Week 12: at Seattle Seahawks

Week 13: at Minnesota Vikings

Week 14: vs. Seattle Seahawks

Week 15: vs. New England Patriots

Week 16: at Carolina Panthers

Week 17: at Los Angeles Rams

Week 18: vs. San Francisco 49ers

Record Prediction: 5-12