2026 Arizona Cardinals Team Preview
Over the past four seasons, the Arizona Cardinals posted a 19 -49
record, tied for the worst in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans. They
come off a 3-14 season, which was one game behind 2022 (4 -13) and
2023 (4-13). Arizona hired Mike LaFleur to take over as its head coach
over the winter, after having a high level of success from 2023 to 2025
as the Rams’ offensive coordinator. He held the same position in 2021
and 2022 with the Jets. His NFL coaching career began in 2014 as an
offensive intern with the Cleveland Browns. LaFleur has been coaching
in the NFL for 11 seasons. Arizona was outscored by 133 points last
year (-363 point differential over the past four years).
The Cardinals brought in Nathaniel Hackett to run their offense, a
position he has held in the past for the Bills, Jaguars, Packers, and Jets.
In his one chance at an NFL head coaching job, Hackett went 4 -11 in
2022 with the Denver Broncos. Last year, he was the defensive analyst
for Green Bay. His pro coaching career started in 2006 with Tampa Bay,
giving Hackett 17 years of experience, with 10 coming as an offensive
coordinator. Arizona ranked 23rd in points scored (355) and 13th in
offensive yards (5,937).
Surprisingly, Nick Rallis returns for his fourth season as the Cardinals’
defensive coordinator. In 2021 and 2022, he worked under Jonathan
Gannon (Arizona’s previous head coach) in Philadelphia as their
linebackers coach. His pro coaching career began in 2018 with the
Vikings (defensive quality control). Rallis turns 33 in July. His defense
slipped t o 30th in points allowed (488) and 25th in yards allowed
(6,286).
Offense
The Cardinals led the NFL in passing attempts (659) last season, with
their progression coming when Jacoby Brissett took over at
quarterback. They ran the ball 35.7%, leading to them ranking 31st in
rushing yards (1,583). They scored nine times on the ground, with eight
runs of 20 yards or more. Arizona averaged only 21.5 carries per game.
They finished 2025 fifth in passing yards (4,354) with 29 touchdowns
and 11 interceptions. The Cardinals also had the most completions
(427), but gained only 6.7 yards per pass attempt. Their offensive line
allowed 59 sacks.
Quarterbacks
WR Marvin Harrison Jr., ARI
Marvin Harrison Jr. projects for 69 catches for 990 yards and 8 TDs in the Arizona Cardinals offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.
WR Michael Wilson, ARI
Michael Wilson projects for 64 catches for 778 yards and 7 TDs in the Arizona Cardinals offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.
RB Jeremiyah Love, ARI
Jeremiyah Love projects for 226 carries for 1038 yards and 7 TDs, plus 45 catches for 356 yards and 2 TDs in the Arizona Cardinals offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.
QB Jacoby Brissett, ARI
Jacoby Brissett projects for 2430 passing yards, 17 passing TDs, and 7 INTs, with 117 rushing yards and 1 rushing TDs adding fantasy value for the Arizona Cardinals. This is a projection-derived draft blurb and requires player-ID and team validation before CMS import.
TE Trey McBride, ARI
Trey McBride projects for 114 catches for 0 yards and 8 TDs in the Arizona Cardinals offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.
QB Carson Beck, ARI
Carson Beck projects for 1741 passing yards, 10 passing TDs, and 6 INTs, with 55 rushing yards and 1 rushing TDs adding fantasy value for the Arizona Cardinals. This is a projection-derived draft blurb and requires player-ID and team validation before CMS import.
RB Tyler Allgeier, ARI
Tyler Allgeier projects for 104 carries for 439 yards and 3 TDs, plus 9 catches for 64 yards and 0 TDs in the Arizona Cardinals offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.
WR Kendrick Bourne, ARI
Kendrick Bourne projects for 20 catches for 235 yards and 1 TDs in the Arizona Cardinals offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.
RB James Conner, ARI
James Conner projects for 46 carries for 184 yards and 2 TDs, plus 17 catches for 110 yards and 0 TDs in the Arizona Cardinals offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.
TE Elijah Higgins, ARI
Elijah Higgins projects for 26 catches for 0 yards and 1 TDs in the Arizona Cardinals offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.
WR Reggie Virgil, ARI
Reggie Virgil projects for 8 catches for 86 yards and 0 TDs in the Arizona Cardinals offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.
RB Trey Benson, ARI
Trey Benson projects for 13 carries for 53 yards and 0 TDs, plus 4 catches for 26 yards and 0 TDs in the Arizona Cardinals offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.
WR Xavier Weaver, ARI
Xavier Weaver projects for 3 catches for 40 yards and 0 TDs in the Arizona Cardinals offense. This projection-derived outlook should be reviewed against the depth chart, ADP context, and player-ID match report before CMS import.