2024 Arizona Cardinals Team Outlook

The Arizona Cardinals have now produced back-to-back four-win seasons. Kyler Murray returns, which is excellent news for the Cardinals, who finished 24th in points per game and 26th in passing yards last season.

Murray will always be a lightning rod in fantasy discussions. Since 2020, Murray has averaged 21.6 fantasy points per game. After his return from injury, Murray averaged 19.1 fantasy points from weeks 10 through 17, with four of those contests resulting in more than 20 fantasy points.

While the passing game struggled last season, the Cardinals were able to lean on James Conner. Conner would finish the season averaging 5.0 yards per carry and producing 1,040 yards on the ground in just 13 games. Arizona decided they needed insurance and got that in the draft with former Florida State running back Trey Bensen. When healthy, Conner is a low-end RB1/ High-end RB2.

Benson may not have much value this season in redraft leagues, barring an injury, but he should be on the radar of dynasty managers. At 6 feet, 216 pounds, and a 40-yard time of 4.39, the Cardinals see their future replacement for Conner.

Many may expect the Cardinals' loss of Marquise Brown to hurt them, but you can't miss what you never had. Brown had huge fantasy potential when he and Murray were together. However, they couldn't stay on the field for a sustained period. Undoubtedly, Murray isn't excited about losing his former college teammate, but he has to be ecstatic about his newest weapon.

Marvin Harrison Jr. is the top wide receiver in this year's draft class and Murray's newest WR1. Harrison Jr. gives Murray an elite option, something they haven't had since De'Andre Hopkins's departure. Many say the rookie reminds them of Cardinal legend Larry Fitzgerald.

At 6-foot-4, Harrison is already quarterback-friendly with his ability to separate from coverage using double moves down the field. You can already pencil him in for 140 targets this season. Arizona's other options include Michael Wilson, Greg Dortch, Chris Moore,

and Zach Pascal.

Murray's only other target is Trey McBride, who, after catching 81 passes for 825 yards, should be considered a top-5 fantasy tight end. From Week 8 on, McBride was TE3 in PPR scoring, averaging 65.5 receiving yards per game while hauling in 6.6 catches per contest with a 27% target share and a 37.5% team receiving yards market share. Add that production with Harrison Jr.'s potential, and this Cardinals offense has some fantasy value in 2024.

QB Kyler Murray, MIN - Solid/Safe Pick

Even though he missed more than half of the season, Kyler Murray still posted QB1 numbers on a fantasy points-per-game basis. Less than a year removed from an ACL injury, Murray still averaged 30.5 rushing yards per game with four top-12 weekly finished in his eight starts. That rushing ability assured Murray had a high floor, with zero 'dud' finishes outside of the top 20 last season. The Cardinals don't have much of a supporting cast but the addition of Marvin Harrison Jr. bodes well. Arizona also surrendered the second-most points last season. Expect plenty of fantasy-friendly game scripts for Murray, who looks like a solid value bet to finish inside the top 10 once again in 2024. ADVICE: Value pick with top 10 potential

RB James Conner, ARI - Quality Backup

James Conner has never played a full NFL season but he's proven to be a very good fantasy option when he's active. Last season, Conner eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards for the first time while ranking second in the league with 3.93 yards after contact per attempt. He was particularly effective down the stretch, piling up 23.9 fantasy points per game in his final five outings. A big part of that production was due to Conner's 67% snap share during the stretch. Conner still looks like a massive value in fantasy drafts but the addition of third-rounder Trey Benson could eat into his opportunities. ADVICE: Still a solid hero RB target

RB Trey Benson, ARI - Fantasy Handcuff

Trey Benson has elite speed (97th percentile) and excellent size (6-0, 216), but it's the gaudy metrics that have dynasty enthusiasts excited. Benson set a record for broken tackles forced in a season (77 in 2022) per PFF and he profiled very well as a receiver and in pass protection. Benson is also not afraid to run over opponents downfield. He also landed in a solid situation as the clear No. 2 behind an aging starter who has never played a full season in his career. He's a fantastic handcuff to James Conner who could offer standalone value. ADVICE: Highly-coveted late-round reserve

WR Marvin Harrison Jr., ARI - Solid/Safe Pick

When it comes to "can't miss" prospects, Marvin Harrison Jr. is considered even better than Jaxon Smith-Njigba was last year at this time. His consistent production at an elite program, NFL bloodlines, and elite route-running make him a dangerous and versatile weapon. Harrison will immediately be Kyler Murray's favorite target. The Cardinals, who struggle on defense, will see plenty of favorable game scripts, allowing Harrison to rack up useful targets and receptions. Harrison drew a lot of Larry Fitzgerald comparisons and now will be in a position to make a Fitz-like impact right away. ADVICE: The premiere rooke target who will contend for WR1 numbers immediately.

WR Michael Wilson, ARI - Deep-league Only

A pair of good games in Week 17-18 ended a fairly innocuous rookie season for Michael Wilson. The third-rounder missed four games with shoulder and neck injuries and finished the year with 38 receptions for 556 yards and three scores. Wilson is penciled in as Arizona's starting perimeter receiver opposite Marvin Harrison Jr., so he'll benefit from seeing lesser coverage. Arizona will also have plenty of fantasy-friendly game scripts that may allow Wilson to occasionally put up usable fantasy numbers. But he's little more than a fantasy WR5/6 option on the end of the bench. ADVICE: Doesn't stand out either way but Wilson is a starter on an offense with some modest fantasy appeal

WR Greg Dortch, DET - Super Sleeper (high risk/potential)

ADVICE: Being completely ignored in drafts, Dortch is penciled in as Arizona's slot receiver. He's had a handful of productive starts over the past couple of seasons and could see a surprising amount of volume. Solid late-round flier in PPR.

WR Zay Jones, ARI - Super Sleeper (high risk/potential)

ADVICE: A late addition to Arizona's revamped receiving corps, Jones could easily emerge as the Cards' No. 2 wideout, which gives him decent late-round sleeper appeal as the main deep threat in Arizona's offense. With a generous defense and few projected wins on the 2024 schedule, Jones will see plenty of favorable game scripts.

TE Trey McBride, ARI - Stud (low risk)

Trey McBride broke out last season, snagging 81 balls for 825 yards and three scores. He finished as the TE7 but that doesn't explain how productive he was down the stretch. Ertz was outside the top 20 in scoring at the halfway mark before seven(!) TE1 weeks from Weeks 8-18. He showed a tremendous rapport with Kyler Murray but target completion in the form of Marvin Harrison Jr. will eat into McBride's impressive 19.6% target share (7th) and 26.1% target rate (1st). Regardless, Zach Ertz is gone and McBride remains a high-volume Tier-1 fantasy option. ADVICE: Top-5 fantasy tight end in every format

PK Matt Prater, BUF - Not Draft Worthy

Prater sees favorable conditions playing indoors but the Cardinals are projected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL. That means fewer field goal tries. Prater has only been decent in that area as it stands. He finished 25th in points last year and projects to be outside of the top 20 once again.

Arizona - Not Draft Worthy

Arizona was a mess last season and should contunue to struggle as the new regime attempts to rebuild one of the worst stop units in football. The Cardinals ranked 25th in total defense and 31st in points allowed. They came in as the 31st fantasy unit after accumulating only 30 sacks and 17 turnovers. No reason to draft these red birds.