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NFL Team Reviews: Arizona Cardinals

· Jun 27 - 4 minutes read

After making the playoffs in 2021 for the first time since 2015, the Arizona Cardinals couldn’t do much right in their playoff game. Falling 34-11 to eventual Super Bowl winner Los Angeles Rams, Arizona headed into the postseason looking for answers.

Improvements: Running back and wide receiver

With the offense failing to do much of anything in that playoff loss, the Cardinals were in need of changes.

Running backs James Conner and Chase Edmonds provided a strong one-two punch last season, with Conner becoming a red zone threat, rushing for 15 touchdowns in 2021. Though Edmonds walked in free agency, taking a deal with the Dolphins, Arizona re-signed Conner to a three-year contract. Arizona also picked up running back Darrell Williams in free agency and drafted Keaontay Ingram out of USC. Williams will provide a solid option next to Conner, as he rushed for over 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns as a Chief last season while Ingram will provide added depth.

On the receiver front, quarterback Kyler Murray has a number of quality options returning. Although wide receiver Christian Kirk left for a deal in Jacksonville, DeAndre Hopkins, A.J. Green and Rondale Moore remain. Green re-signed a one-year deal. Arizona also made a splash on draft night with the acquisition of Marquise Brown from Baltimore in a trade that should help relieve the loss of Hopkins during his suspension.

- James Conner.
- Chase Edmonds.
- Kyler Murray.
- Marquise Brown.

Stayed the Same: Secondary

Arizona’s secondary had an interesting season in 2021 after a series of injuries sidelined a few starters. However, the Cardinals still finished in the top 10 in passing yards allowed last season with 214.4 per game.

Although Robert Alford remains a free agent, Arizona returns four of the five in the core secondary. Safeties Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson and cornerbacks Marco Wilson and Bryon Murphy Jr. will be looking to get Arizona back to a top 10 defense once again.

The Cardinals also recently signed cornerback Josh Jackson to a one-year deal, adding depth.

- Robert Alford.
- Budda Baker.
- Jalen Thompson.
- Marco Wilson.

Got Worse: Defensive Front Seven

The Cardinals’ front seven groups will likely see a loss in production.

Defensive end Chandler Jones and linebacker Jordan Hicks both found new teams in free agency, with Jones signing a three-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders while Hicks signed for two years with the Minnesota Vikings. Jones was second on the team in sacks last season with 10.5, ultimately recording 71.5 sacks in his six-year career with Arizona. Hicks, meanwhile, was the defense’s primary play caller, calling a strong portion of Arizona’s defensive snaps last season.

Arizona drafted inside linebackers in the first rounds in 2019 and 2020, respectively, in Isaiah Simmons and Zaven Collins. Both are yet to make a big splash, as Simmons recorded 3.5 sacks in his two years and Collins has not seen much playing time.

As for the outside linebackers, Markus Golden will return, coming off a strong 2021 campaign that saw him lead the team with 11 sacks. Arizona also drafted a pair of linebackers in the third round in Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders, but with questions about how the rookies will fare in the NFL, the linebacking group took a hit.

- Chandler Jones.
- Jordan Hicks.
- Isaiah Simmons.
- Zaven Collins.

Overall Grade: B

Arizona’s offseason started out quietly, however, the additions to its offensive side of the ball should provide a boost. Reuniting Murray with his college teammate in Brown was a good move, but the QB awaits a contract extension. With a younger linebacking core, the pass rush may take a step back, though the secondary should remain solid with its core remaining the same.