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Arizona Cardinals’ 2023 season: 4-13, missed playoffs
Overview: Though the record wasn’t pretty, the Cardinals had to feel good about 2023 on a number of fronts. First-year head coach Jonathan Gannon appeared to get buy-in from his players and looked like he belonged in the job. A number of young stars emerged, like tight end Trey McBride and offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr.
Most importantly, Kyler Murray’s play suggested he could still be the franchise quarterback after coming off a torn ACL. That has the Cardinals now seemingly looking to upgrade around Murray, and they have a treasure trove of draft picks with which to do so, thanks primarily to an additional 2024 first-round pick they acquired from Houston after trading out of the No. 3 spot last spring.
(Taylor Wilhelm/Yahoo Sports)
Key free agents
WR Marquise Brown
LB Ezekiel Turner
TE Geoff Swaim
Who’s in/out: Brown is impactful when healthy (not to mention close to Kyler Murray), but he also hasn’t played a full season since 2020, ending last season on IR with a heel injury. General manager Monti Ossenfort also isn’t the one who traded for Brown in the first place; that was Ossenfort’s predecessor, Steve Keim. Is Brown worth bringing back at a $13.4 million cap hit, especially when the No. 4 overall pick figures to yield Marvin Harrison Jr. or another top-end prospect?
Key free agent needs
Wide receiver
Edge rusher
Interior defensive line
Offensive line
Why the holes? Now that Kyler Murray has reestablished himself as the quarterback to build around, it’s time to surround him with weapons. Even if the Cardinals bring back Marquise Brown and use the No. 4 pick on a receiver, the room needs a major facelift. Arizona’s defense also struggled in 2023, ranking dead last in PFF’s overall grade and run defense. An injection of talent up the middle and rushing the passer is first priority.
Will Kyler Murray and Marquise Brown still be teammates in Arizona this fall? (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Do they have the money?
The…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/arizona-cardinals-2024-nfl-offseason-primer-good-vibes-around-team-despite-few-wins-014702806.html
Author : Yahoo Sports
Publish date : 2024-02-23 01:47:02
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