'24 Preview: Arizona Cardinals

All Access Football previews the 2024 Arizona Cardinals. All Access. All Football. All The Time.

Aug 11, 2024

Volume XXIV Edition XXXV | 2024 Preview: Arizona Cardinals

Today’s edition of All Access Football is presented by Sports Management Worldwide. Take your obsession and turn it into your profession. With over 80,000 alumni from 160-plus countries worldwide, SMWW can help jumpstart your professional sports career from the comfort of your own home. Search for various online courses of interest on their website and be sure to reserve your ticket to the 2025 SMWW Football Career Conference in Indianapolis, which coincides with the NFL Scouting Combine. See you there!

NFC WEST || 2023 Record: 4-13 || AAF Preseason Power Ranking: 16

Team Brass

Owner: Michael Bidwell || General Manager: Monti Ossenfort || Head Coach: Jonathan Gannon || Offensive Coordinator: Drew Petzing || Defensive Coordinator: Nick Rallis

2024 NFLPA Report Card || Overall Ranking (27 of 32)

Offense Rankings

Total Offense: 324.1 (19th) || Passing: 184.9 (26th) || Rushing: 139.1 (4th) || Points: 19.4 (T-24t) || Sacked: 42 (19th) || 3rd Down: 39.1% (14th)

Defense Rankings

Total Defense: 355.7 (25th) || Passing: 212.5 (13th) || Rushing: 143.2 (32nd) || Points Allowed: 26.8 (31st) || Sacks: 33 (30th) || Turnover Differential: -1 (19th)

Top 10 Franchise Players

QB Kyler Murray (photo credit: Arizona Cardinals)
FS Budda Baker
WR Marvin Harrison
OT Paris Johnson Jr.
OT Jonah Williams
TE Trey McBride
SS Jalen Thompson
LB Kyzir White
RB James Conner
LB Zaven Collins

Key Additions

RB DeeJay Dallas (Seahawks) || WR Chris Moore (Titans) || WR Zay Jones (Jaguars) || OT Jonah Williams (Bengals) || OG Evan Brown (Seahawks) || DT Justin Jones (Bears) || DT Bilal Nichols (Raiders) || DT Khyiris Tonga (Vikings) || LB Mack Wilson (Patriots) || CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (Buccaneers)

Key Losses

WR Marquise Brown (Chiefs) || DT Leki Fotu (Jets) || LB Ezekiel Turner (49ers) || CB Antonio Hamilton (Falcons)

Breakout Players

TE Trey McBride: One of the fast-rising young talents at the tight end position would be McBride who made huge strides in year two, hauling in 81 balls for 825 yards. The Cardinals continued to stockpile more pass-catching targets for Kyler Murray via the draft in wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. and Tip Reiman, who is expected to backup McBride. With an upgraded supporting cast around him, McBride could do even more damage in the offense.

LB BJ Ojulari: There was not enough wreckage caused by pass-rusher Ojulari on defense in ‘23. While he possesses the bend and burst required to succeed in the pros, he needs to show some added strength this season to improve upon his four sacks. The addition of massive-sized Darius Robinson along the defensive line should help create improved pass-rush situations.

CB Garrett Williams: A better pass-rush would mean more productive play from the secondary. Keep an eye on Williams who made six starts a year ago at nickel back. Now two years fully removed from a torn ACL sustained during his final year at Syracuse, Williams was a projected first round talent prior to the injury. He would seem primed to take a leap.

2024 NFL Draft Class

GM Monti Ossenfort was wheeling and dealing more than Ric Flair on a Saturday night with his calculated draft maneuvering, working the trade chart, as well as he worked the draft board. This draft class is littered with players expected to contribute immediately. With a much improved offense and reinforcements on an already tough defense, the pressure will be on Kyler Murray to deliver. Initial Overall Rookie Assessment: High Level Impact