2023 Arizona Cardinals Outlook
2023 Arizona Cardinals Outlook The 2023 NFL season is right around the corner and that means fantasy football drafts are underway. Before you assemble your championship dynasty, redraft, or high-stakes squad, FullTime Fantasy members will have an in-depth, player-by-player preview
2023 Arizona Cardinals Outlook
The 2023 NFL season is right around the corner and that means fantasy football drafts are underway. Before you assemble your championship dynasty, redraft, or high-stakes squad, FullTime Fantasy members will have an in-depth, player-by-player preview of all 32 teams from football legend Shawn Childs.
Also, check out Jody Smith’s NFL offensive line rankings and exclusive 2023 Strength of Schedule analysis.
Up next in our extensive NFL and fantasy football preview series is Shawn’s deep dive into the 2023 Arizona Cardinals Outlook.
— Quarterback —
Kyler Murray
After an excellent season in 2020 (4,790 combined yards with 37 touchdowns), Murray missed three matchups midseason with an ankle issue that lingered for the remainder of the year. Also, he had regression rushing the ball (88/423/5 – 133/819/11 in 2020). However, his completion rate (69.2) and yards per pass attempt (7.9) were career highs. Murray started the year with two impact games (37.45 and 39.10 fantasy points in four-point passing), followed by four steady showings (22.70, 25.30, 28.05, and 25.05 fantasy points) over the next five weeks. Over his final six starts, he passed for 1,511 yards and three touchdowns with a rebound in explosiveness in the run game (39/276/2).
Last season, Murray had a dull feel over his first seven starts, leading to one impact game (305 combined yards with two touchdowns) and two steady showing in fantasy points (22.55 and 25.95) in four-point passing touchdown leagues. After an uptick in production in Week 8 (362/3). However, he missed seven of their next nine games with a hamstring issue and a torn ACL in his left knee. His best value as a runner came over his final five full starts (38/382/1). Murray didn’t have a completion of 40 yards or more while gaining a career-low 6.1 yards per pass attempt.
Fantasy Outlook: His left knee surgery came on January 4th, putting him behind schedule for the start of the season. In addition, Murray will be less active as a runner in his first few games when he returns to game action. In the high-stakes market, Murray is the 20th quarterback drafted. However, Arizona didn’t improve their receiving corps in the offseason, making it difficult to trust their star quarterback in the fantasy market. In the first run of the projections, I’ll have Murray out for four weeks with a step back in value in the run game. His summer news will dictate his ultimate fantasy value in 2023.
Clayton Tune
Over five seasons in college, Tune passed for 11,996 yards with 104 touchdowns and 41 interceptions. Also, he was active in the run game (412/1,256/15). In his senior year, Tune gained 4,618 combined yards with 45 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His production rushing the ball peaked in 2022 (128/544/2).
Fantasy Outlook: Tune improved each year in college. As a matter of fact, his style of play has more overlap than Colt McCoy with Kyler Murray, but I doubt Arizona will roll out a rookie quarterback in September.
Other Options: Colt McCoy, David Blough, Jeff Driskel
— Running Backs —
The Cardinals’ running backs posted lower stats across the board in 2022, with the exception of targets (112). They gained 1,926 combined yards with 13 touchdowns and 84 catches, leading to 20.86 FPPG in PPR formats. However,their backs had a regression of 56 touches.
James Conner
From 2018 to 2020, with a starting job in Pittsburgh, Conner missed 12 games, leading to a challenging player to manage in the fantasy market. He played well in 2018 (1,370 yards with 13 touchdowns and 55 catches over 13 games. As a matter of fact, his success placed him sixth in running back scoring (282.00 fantasy points) in PPR leagues.
In 2021, in a split role for the Cardinals, Conner gained only 3.7 yards per rush, with three of his 202 carries gaining 20 yards or more. He made the best of his opportunity by scoring 15 rushing touchdowns. In the passing game, Conner looked more explosive (10.1 yards per catch) with an exceptional catch rate (94.9).
However, most of his success catching the ball came over four matchups (5/77/1, 5/37, 9/94, and 6/41/1) over the second half of the year. Conner gained over 60 yards in only five contests in the running game. His best value rushing the ball came from Week 9 to Week 13 (72/272/4).
Last season, he finished 19th in running back scoring (201.20) in PPR formats while playing in 13 games. A rib issue knocked him out for three weeks early in the year, and in Week 18 with a shin injury. But, from Week 10 to Week 17, Conner delivered seven productive games (23.60, 13.40, 22.00, 23.40, 18.10, 25.00, and 14.00 fantasy points). He rushed for more than 100 yards in one matchup (25/120 with three catches for 20 yards and one score).
Fantasy Outlook: Conner ranks 24th running back in high-stakes drafts. Over the past two seasons, he averaged 16.7 touches with Arizona. At the minimum, Arizona should give him the ball 15 times a game in 2023, with 25% of his chances coming in receptions. On the downside, Conner typically misses about three games a year.
Keaontay Ingram
Over four seasons in college, Ingram worked in a split role. He finished with a high catch rate (87.3), leading to 89 catches for 671 yards and six touchdowns. Ingram offered change-of-pace value in the run game (495/2,722/16), with the best output coming in 2019 (144/853/7 with 29 catches for 242 yards and three scores.
In his rookie season, the Cardinals gave Ingram 31 touches, leading to 81 yards with one touchdown and four catches. His top output came in Week 7 (9/14/1 and two catches for 23 yards).
Fantasy Outlook: The running back depth behind James Conner is uninspiring, pointing to Ingram having a clear path to
WHAT CAN WE EXPECT OUT OF THE CARDINALS IN 2023?
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Preview: 2021 Rookie Wide Receivers Outlook – 1 of 2
Members enjoy this outlook of 2021 Rookie Wide Receivers Outlook to prepare you for your upcoming rookie dynasty drafts by our NFL Scouting Analyst Riley Bymaster. This Rookie Profile Feature is MEMBER ONLY and designed to help dynasty fantasy players evaluate the incoming crop of NFL Rookies. We’ll be releasing rookie profiles for all the prominent dynasty rookies, including Dynasty ADP, Dynasty Rankings, draft boards and more. Subscribe today and use the Promo TD30 for 30% off your first two months! The play of the 2020 rookie wide receiver class quickly rivaled that of the loaded 2014 class that included Odell Beckham, Mike Evans, and Allen Robinson. Coming off of a season where the world was formally introduced to Ceedee Lamb, Justin Jefferson, and Tee Higgins, among others, there is another set of uber-high expectations for the incoming rookie class. Be careful with going all in on the so-called depth of this group of wideouts as there are several well-known players who carry higher bust potentials than the community may believe. However, these first six receivers carry the top-heavy class. Ja’Marr Chase – LSU / 6’0” – 201 lbs Having opted out of the 2020 season, Chase left us salivating about his phenomenal 2019 year where compiled a whopping 1,780 yards on 84 receptions and 20 touchdowns. His teammate at the time, Vikings’ soon-to-be sophomore Justin Jefferson, was the clear-cut second option for the 2019 Tigers. Chase brings his running back-like frame to the position and is likely headed for the title of first receiver off the board in this year’s draft. On the field, Chase leaves little to be desired as he shows game-in and game-out what he brings to the table as an alpha wide receiver. He shows incredible hands and the ability to snatch and tuck the ball away quickly and safely. Chase’s ability to high-point the football and play above the rim is the best in the class, which will immediately translate to the NFL. He is solid after the catch and will shake a good number of tackles with the ball in his hands. Chase needs to improve the quickness in and out of his breaks, but he brings a well-rounded, elite skillset to the table. Grade: Elite starter Draft Projection: Top 10 Projected DFWC ADP: 1.02 Comparison: AJ Brown with a sprinkle of DJ Moore Bottom Line: Chase will enter the league and immediately become one of the top receivers in all the NFL. He is a sure-fire top 5 pick in every fantasy format with the potential of being a perennial All-Pro. Don’t pass on Ja’Marr Chase. Rashod Bateman – Minnesota/ 6’0” – 190 lbs The Minnesota product sat out most of the 2020 campaign after being diagnosed with COVID and losing 10 pounds in the process. After breaking out as a freshman with 700 yards and six touchdowns, Bateman and teammate Tyler Johnson roasted the rest of the BIG 10 throughout the 2019 season. Totaling over 1,200 yards and 11 touchdowns, Bateman proved to be a go-to receiver with significant room to grow. Bateman’s route running and ability to separate with ease will easily translate to the next level. He snags passes away from his frame and keeps his momentum in the process. He shows clean footwork in his releases off the line of scrimmage, which will give cover corners problems in the NFL. Bateman may struggle with fighting through contact with physical, handsy corner backs. He dominates in the short and middle areas of the field, but we would like to see him win vertically a bit more before he can take the next step into the elite group of NFL receivers. Grade: ???? Draft Projection: ???? Projected DFWC ADP: ???? Comparison: ???? Bottom Line: ???? This is reserved for our Premium Members. Click here to read the Member version or click here to subscribe. DeVonta Smith – Alabama / 6’1” – 170 lbs Deemed the “Slim Reaper” by many in the fantasy community, Smith is the newest product of the Crimson Tide wide receiver factory. After a Heisman-winning campaign in 2020 where he accounted for just under 1,900 yards, 117 catches, and 23 touchdowns, fewer concerns were raised about Smith’s razor-thin frame. He proved his worthiness of a first-round pick by dominating every single Saturday against tough SEC defenses. Smith is a fast player who likely falls between Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs on the explosion scale. He holds the biggest catch radius in the class as he’s able to catch any pass within a 10-foot radius. Smith has elite body control and has no issues adjusting to back shoulder or poorly thrown balls. He is a shifty runner after the catch and was used quite often on smoke and tunnel screens. His run blocking vastly improved from 2019 to 2020. Smith’s only concern is slightly leaning into his breaks when running deep posts or digs, but his NFL receiver’s coach should be able to tighten the screws relatively easily. Grade: Solid starter Draft Projection: 1st Round Projected DFWC ADP: 1.04 Comparison: Calvin Ridley on theoretical steroids Bottom Line: Smith is a natural playmaker whose weight will matter less than many may believe. He is best suited to play opposite of another elite receiver and may take a season to develop into his full potential. He is no worse than a top-three receiver in the 2021 class. Jaylen Waddle – Alabama / 5’10” – 180 lbs One of the most debated prospects in recent years, Waddle’s best collegiate season came during his first year on campus where he totaled 848 yards and seven scores on 45 receptions. Keep in mind this came on a loaded offense with Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs, DeVonta Smith, and Josh Jacobs. He suffered a brutal ankle injury against Tennessee during the 2020 season, which kept him off the field for the majority of the year. He hobbled his way through the national championship game which likely provided ambivalent feelings from scouts and NFL personnel.
2021 Rookie Wide Receivers Outlook – 1 of 2
The play of the 2020 rookie wide receiver class quickly rivaled that of the loaded 2014 class that included Odell Beckham, Mike Evans, and Allen Robinson. Coming off of a season where the world was formally introduced to Ceedee Lamb,
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