Arizona Cardinals: A Fantasy Football Roster Breakdown
The most exhilarating thing about fantasy football is how much changes from one year to another. There are countless examples of players that have failed miserably just one year after setting the world on fire. In the weeks leading up to fantasy drafts, it’s important to set aside some time strictly for researching each team. This includes roster, depth chart, injuries and other news. The best fantasy gamers go beyond just diving into a team’s roster, though. We consider schedule, especially early in the season and the fantasy playoffs. We must also learn if they favor running or passing the ball, their overall opponent defensive strength of schedule, and which teams they play at home or on the road.
With all of that being said, this 32-part series is a fantasy football roster breakdown of each NFL team. There are some offenses to avoid, while others have several high-upside options. Each fantasy relevant player will be listed below, with a brief explanation on whether or not they are draft-candidates in re-draft and non-keeper formats.
Kyler Murray
After one of the more confusing draft situations in recent memory, the Arizona Cardinals pulled the trigger and selected Heisman trophy winning quarterback Kyler Murray with the first selection of the 2019 draft. Murray is one of the more dynamic play-making quarterbacks of recent memory. He possesses a unique skill set as an above-average passer with elite rushing ability.
The 21-year-old is already locked into the starting job. His elite athleticism and ability to make something out of nothing are obviously going to catch the eye of fantasy owners, especially with how valuable a mobile quarterback is in fantasy football. Despite being the number one pick in the draft and presenting an incredibly enticing skill-set, I am avoiding Murray in seasonal leagues.
The reason behind this is simple: his team. According to Pro Football Focus, the Arizona Cardinals were the lowest-graded offensive line in all of football in 2018. With an undersized rookie quarterback in a brand new setting, facing pressure on the majority of his drop backs is not ideal. While the Cardinals playmakers have improved since 2018, the offensive unit as a whole is nothing special. David Johnson has regressed since his incredible 2016 season. Larry Fitzgerald is at the tail-end of his career. The rest of the unit is all young and unproven. With so many question marks, Murray can’t be trusted as a QB1.
In terms of who he will play in 2019, Murray and the Cardinals do not have favorable matchups against quarterbacks. Three brutal road trips to Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and New Orleans paired with a stronger NFC West division are certainly not desired matchups. According to FantasyPros.com, Arizona has the 20th easiest schedule for quarterbacks this season. That means Murray will have below-favorable matchups for almost the entire season.
Bottom Line:
Murray is without a doubt an intriguing player. But, his inexperience and weak supporting cast make him a risky pick in re-draft leagues.
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David Johnson
Despite regression since his 2016 campaign, largely in part to injury and a poor supporting cast, David Johnson is still a highly regarded fantasy asset. His ability to dominate both on the ground and in the air makes him an elite offensive threat that can break out for a 2016-like season. While he is unlikely to reach that level again, the Northern Iowa product is a first round pick in all formats.
Larry Fitzgerald
Entering is age 36 season, questions around Larry Fitzgerald‘s role in this offense are certainly warranted. Despite defying father time and catching more than 100+ passes between 2015-2017, Fitzgerald only caught 69 passes for 734 yards and six touchdowns in 2018. He was stuck in a less than ideal offensive unit with a rookie quarterback that was constantly under pressure. Sound familiar? Fitzgerald himself did regress a little. His catch rate was down six points from 2017, but it was the inexperience of Josh Rosen that cost him a fantasy-relevant season. The future Hall of Famer is obviously still draftable in all formats, but expectations should be at an all-time low.
Christian Kirk
Coming off a rather successful 2018 season, Christian Kirk is a player that I like a lot in 2019. The Cardinals used a second-round pick to nab him in last year’s draft. The organization is giving him every opportunity to step in as the team’s number one wide receiver. His above-average route running and strong hands make Kirk an intriguing PPR play. He makes for a good selection in the middle rounds of all draft formats.
I find myself accumulating a lot of Christian Kirk shares this year #FantasyFootball #Cardinals
— Alex Johnson (@a_johnsonFF) June 12, 2019
Andy Isabella
In the second round of this year’s draft, the Cardinals selected Andy Isabella. Isabella set the world on fire at UMass with 231 receptions for 3,526 yards and 30 touchdowns as a three-year starter. While several draft analysts pegged him as a slot receiver, Isabella has the skll set to play on the outside as well. His 4.31 40-yard dash makes him the versatile offensive threat that head coach Kliff Kingsbury can move all over the field. With that being said, it will be difficult for Isabella will be a day one starter. He is certainly worth a first round pick in a dynasty rookie draft. But monitor reports out of Cardinals training camp and his usage in pre-season before selecting him in any other format.
Andy Isabella led the FBS with 141.5 receiving yards per game in 2018.
He finished the season with 102 receptions for 1,698 yards (16.6 YPR) and 13 touchdowns. #FantasyFootball #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/E2G5qso0FK
— Alex Johnson (@a_johnsonFF) April 14, 2019
Hakeem Butler
Many believed that Arizona got a steal when they selected Hakeem Butler in the fourth round. The big-bodied wide receiver brings a vertical threat to an offense that could certainly use one. Butler has the potential to catch seven-to-10 touchdowns because of his size alone. He is a high-risk, high-reward player and could be worthy of a late-round selection simply because of his touchdown potential.
Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State
➕118.9 (97th-percentile) Speed Score
➕125.2 (73rd-percentile) Burst
➕43.5% Dominator
➕22 YPR (97th-percentile) in ‘18
➕95th-percentile Catch Radius➖21.3 Breakout Age
➖One Year Wonder
➖Couldn’t command targets vs Allen Lazard
➖23 yrs old pic.twitter.com/PVxaLx2sUw— Alex Johnson (@a_johnsonFF) April 19, 2019
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Charles Clay
After the Buffalo Bills cut Charles Clay in February, the Cardinals signed the 30-year-old tight end to a one-year deal. The hope is he can return to being the reliable pass catcher he was in his early Bills days. Clay had a catch rate of 65-percent or better each season between 2015-2017. He saw his targets drastically drop in 2018 with rookie quarterback Josh Allen under center. Clay is currently listed below Ricky Seals-Jones on the Cardinals depth chart, but that could change with Clay’s experience. In what is a weak position league-wide, Clay might be worthy of a late-round selection in bigger leagues or leagues that start two tight ends.
Ricky Seals-Jones
The 24-year-old Texas A&M product started five games for the Cardinals in 2018 and is currently the lead candidate to earn the starting job in 2019. His numbers last season were not impressive and Seals-Jones is not an intriguing fantasy option. He will not be on any of my teams.
Ch
ase Edmonds
The backup running back to Johnson, Chase Edmonds is not draftable in his own right but I had to mention him anyway given Johnson’s injury history. If Johnson were to go down, Edmonds would take over the starting job. He is a prime handcuff candidate as we progress into the season.
