The season is coming. The DNA of Sports editorial team offers you an update on the strengths and weaknesses of the 32 franchises. Today, the Arizona Cardinals 2024. You can find all the presentations by clicking on this link.
Nobody wanted to watch the Cardinals in 2023. Logically, the team arrived in the first year of reconstruction, had to clean up its bases, did not spend and collected minor injuries to the only important players. A troop composed of second knives went to war with two new generals at its head.
With this team of odds and ends, Monti Ossenfort and Jonathan Gannon have been able to give the franchise a clear direction. Off the field, as on, the decisions have been convincing. Enough to give hope for a new takeoff for the Cardinals.
Last season: 4 wins – 13 losses, 4e of the NFC West
Off-season moves
Notable Arrivals: Jonah Williams (OT), Sean Murphy-Bunting (CB), Justin Jones (DT), Bilal Nichols (DT), Mack Wilson Sr. (LB), Deejay Dallas (RB), Desmond Ridder (QB), Khyiris Tonga (DT), Chris Moore (WR), Evan Brown (OL), Markus Bailey (LB), Zay Jones (WR)
Re-signings: Elijah Wilkinson (OL), Greg Dortch (WR), LJ Collier (DL), Blake Gillikin (P)
Draft: Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR), Darius Robinson (DL), Max Melton (CB), Trey Benson (RB), Isaiah Adams (OL), Tip Reiman (TE), Elijah Jones (CB), Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (S), Xavier Thomas (EDGE), Christian Jones (OT), Tejhaun Palmer (WR), Jaden Davis (DB)
Notable losses: DJ Humphries (OT), Marquise Brown (WR), Rondale Moore (WR), Zach Ertz (TE), Antonio Hamilton Sr. (CB), Marco Wilson (CB), Leki Fotu (DT), Kevin Strong ( DT), Jonathan Ledbetter (DT)
Marvin Harrison Jr. is a Cardinal. For many observers, we are talking about the best talent of the last draft. The plethora of uses that can be made of him and his association with Kyler Murray already have the whole desert salivating. One thing is certain, Monti Ossenfort has achieved his first big media coup as general manager, but beware of mirages.
Elsewhere, the clean-up continues in the desert. The old big contracts are not renewed or directly cut, Marquise Brown and especially DJ Humphries are thanked for their good and loyal services. In total, nine players with an important role every weekend have been asked to pack their bags. Beneficial “losses” given their average level.
To compensate for this wave of departures, Monti Ossenfort has not done things by halves. Many interesting players are showing up. The emphasis is on players with a solid floor and above all who fit the mold wanted by Gannon. Sean-Murphy Bunting and Jonah Williams are the most important additions of this free agency.
The theme was also the same during the “monstrous” Cardinals draft. Without going into details, the franchise selected 12 (!) players, 7 of which were in the top 100. Enough to inject a large amount of talent and potential into the squad.
Arizona Cardinals 2024 All-Star Team
Quarterback: Kyler Murray Runner: James Conner Receivers: Marvin Harrison Jr., Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch Tight end: Trey McBride Offensive line: Paris Johnson, Evan Brown, Hjalte Froholdt, Will Hernandez, Jonah Williams Kicker: Matt Prater
Defensive Line: Bilal Nichols, Dante Stills, Justin Jones Linebackers: Zaven Collins, Mack Wilson, Kyzir White, Dennis Gardeck Cornerbacks: Sean Murphy-Bunting, Max Melton, Garrett Williams Safeties: Budda Baker, Jalen Thompson Punter: Blake Gillikin
The strong point(s) of the Arizona Cardinals 2024
The running game is a major marker of the franchise's revival. After four years of stammering an “Air Raid” passing game, the Cardinals have found a real identity in their ground game under the leadership of Drew Petzing (OC). The schemes are more varied, the play calls more inspired and the runs more efficient. James Conner is the standard-bearer with his first season with more than 1,000 yards on the ground. He has been able to bring an entire team in his wake, which has risen to the 4e place of the most prolific attacks in rushing yards (139.1 yards/game) and who contributed to 17 touchdowns. For 2024, he will be able to count on Trey Benson, a promising runner, to support him.
In terms of satisfaction, we must once again mention the safety duo Budda Baker – Jalen Thompson. Both players have once again been nightmares for their opponents. Their versatility and efficiency allow a lot of creativity for their coaches. And also leave room for error for their teammates.
The franchise seems to know what it's doing with its young players. It's not afraid to give them responsibilities early on, while putting them in the right frame of mind to succeed. A capacity that needs confirmation but could be obvious with the 2024 draft class.
The weak point(s) of the 2024 Arizona Cardinals
Who says a lot of new players, also says a lot of unknowns. Will the men blend into the group? Will they meet the expectations of their coaches? Will they adapt to the schemes? Legitimate questions for all teams but which resonate a little more for the Cardinals and their important turnover.
There is still a lack of talent on this roster. Last year, Arizona pressured the opposing quarterback 17.1% of the time (31e in the NFL) while letting them complete 68.6% of their passes (31e).
The positions of pass rushers and of cornerbacks are filled by players who still have everything to prove (BJ Ojulari, Garrett Williams, Max Melton) or who have never really confirmed their potential (Zaven Collins, Sean Murphy-Bunting). Without real progress from one of these players, the defense will still suffer enormously against the pass this season.
Especially when bad luck gets in the way. BJ Ojulari, expected to see his role evolve, was injured during training camp. A torn cruciate ligament that will keep him off the field for the entire season and that could force the Cardinals to quickly find a fallback solution.
On the attack side, the real Achilles heel remains pass protection. It cuts off a part of the tactics, the aerial game then being dependent on the run and the development of the play actions. This year, Paris Johnson Jr. is transitioning to the left side while Jonah Williams is playing the right side. In 2023, they allowed 42 and 41 pressures on their quarterback, respectively.
X Factor: The Marvin Harrison Jr. and Kyler Murray Connection
Marvin Harrison Jr. is definitely the offseason attraction for Glendale. He is the third receiver picked up in the 1e round by the Cardinals at 21e century. And all the fans are hoping for a Larry Fitzgerald (Pick 3, 2004) fate rather than a Michael Floyd (Pick 13, 2012) one. The expectations and the pressure are high.
Fortunately, Marvin Harrison Sr.'s son will be able to count on a quarterback who is considered at least decent in the person of Kyler Murray. After five seasons in the league, Murray hasn't really exploded, but his return during the season last year showed that Arizona is a much better team with him.
The number 1 has a negative record as a starter (28 wins, 36 losses, 1 tie) and an evaluation (92.2) that has stagnated in recent years. But he will now be armed with a true number one receiver and a rather honest troop around him. A luxury he has not known since 2020, when DeAndre Hopkins gave him more than 1,400 yards.
Harrison will have to be able to win his one-on-one duels. The growth of the attack will necessarily come from him and his quarterback, who seems to appreciate this kind of profile.
Marvin Harrison is a big, physical receiver at 6'3″. He completes a squad that includes Michael Wilson (6'2″), Zay Jones (6'2″) and Greg Dortch (5'7″). Height has become a key component in the Cardinals' offensive system. Gone are the days of Marquise Brown and Rondale Moore as options 1 and 2.
Player to watch: Trey McBride (TE)
Nothing is lost, nothing is created, everything is transformed. After an early career spent in the shadow of the aging Zach Ertz, Trey McBride has blossomed. It took until his predecessor was released, following Week 7, last year. But behind him, the new number one tight end has assumed this role, catching a total of 81 passes for 825 yards and 3 touchdowns.
It was especially the chemistry that Trey McBride demonstrated with Kyler Murray that was promising. The quarterback and his tight end found each other with their eyes closed, a true symbiosis that produced spectacular actions.
Now that McBride is out of the woodwork, he'll be under more scrutiny from opponents in 2024. Fortunately, Marvin Harrison Jr. is bringing some balance to the game. Defenses will have to pick their poison, which will open up more room for the remaining one.
The 2024 Arizona Cardinals schedule
@Bills, Rams, Lions, Commanders, @49ers, @Packers, Chargers, @Dolphins, Bears, Jets, bye, @Seahawks, @Vikings, Seahawks, Patriots, @Panthers, @Rams, 49ers
A little peculiarity of the Cardinals' schedule: the clashes against the first three choices of the 2024 draft: Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye. The three quarterbacks will come to measure themselves against the same team.
The audio preview of the podcast
In summary
In their first season, Ossenfort and Gannon got the Cardinals back on track. Even if the results didn't follow, the desire of this team amazed observers. The course is still the same. The franchise continues to develop its youngsters, look for talent and add players who fit the desired mentality.
Everything remains to be proven and in a conference that is still without faith or law, the Cardinals are still starting with a delay. The goal of the season is clear: to progress as a team and annoy the others, but that's where it will end.
