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Greg Dortch Greg Dortch Working with starting offense
Fri, Jul 26, 2024, 10:51 AM
Dortch has been working with the first-team offense, PHNX Sports reports.
Analysis: The 5-foot-7 slot man started off as a backup the past two seasons but usually got a good number of targets when injuries thrust him into a top-three role. The Cardinals apparently liked what they saw and now have Dortch positioned to open the year getting regular slot snaps, albeit with free-agent signing Zay Jones lingering as a threat to fill in if Dortch slips up. Jones has mostly worked with backups early in training camp, and he might be more of a threat to perimeter receiver Michael Wilson than to Dortch. |
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Zay Jones Zay Jones Mostly working with backups
Fri, Jul 26, 2024, 10:44 AM
Michael Wilson has been working ahead of Jones early in training camp, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.
Analysis: Jones still has time to make an impression this summer and potentially challenge Wilson or slot man Greg Dortch for a top-three role at wide receiver. However, the Cardinals might prefer to deploy Jones as an experienced backup who can fill in at multiple receiver spots, in which case any fantasy value would be contingent on Wilson, Dortch or third overall pick Marvin Harrison missing time/getting benched. |
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Michael Wilson Michael Wilson Running with starters
Fri, Jul 26, 2024, 9:38 AM
Wilson is working with the starting offense early in training camp, ahead of newcomer Zay Jones, Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic reports.
Analysis: The Cardinals signed Jones in May, shortly after taking fellow wideout Marvin Harrison with the third overall draft pick. With Harrison locked in for a starting spot, the other two starting roles presumably will come down to Wilson, Jones and 5-foot-7 slot man Greg Dortch. Wilson was targeted on 14.1 percent of his routes as a rookie -- one of the lowest rates in the league among starting wide receivers -- but he made the most of his limited chances with a 65.5 percent catch rate and 14.9 yards per reception (9.7 YPT). The 2023 third-round pick enters Year 2 as the favorite to start opposite Harrison, and there's always the possibility of some volume growth even if Harrison and TE Trey McBride are runaway favorites to be the team's most heavily targeted players. |
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Marvin Harrison Marvin Harrison Early offseason standout
Thu, Jun 20, 2024, 1:55 PM
Harrison has impressed throughout OTAs and mandatory minicamp and quickly solidified himself as the top option in Arizona's wide receiver room, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Harrison was fully expected to ascend as the No. 1 target for quarterback Kyler Murray upon being chosen No. 4 overall in April's draft, so it's no surprise that his offseason transition to the NFL has been "pretty seamless," per coach Jonathan Gannon, who also said the rookie has been "everything I expected." By all reports, Harrison has had no issues picking up Arizona's playbook, with positional mate Michael Wilson calling him "very perspicacious," saying "I truly think sky's the limit for [Harrison]." Tight end Trey McBride may represent more real competition for targets than fellow wideouts Wilson or Greg Dortch, but it's easy to envision a scenario where the Cardinals' passing offense is heavily filtered through its top two targets. The biggest question for Harrison will be whether he can live up to his hype immediately, as his ADP has already risen to the early second round of most 2024 fantasy drafts. |
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Michael Wilson Michael Wilson Outlook muddied after recent arrivals
Tue, May 14, 2024, 5:56 PM
Wilson has more competition for targets from quarterback Kyler Murray after the team selected Marvin Harrison fourth overall in this year's draft and then signed seven-year pro Zay Jones last week, Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Wilson spent much of the offseason No. 2, at best, in the pecking order in the Cardinals passing game behind tight end Trey McBride, but the recent additions leave Wilson's potential volume in the upcoming campaign up in the air. As a rookie second-round pick last year, Wilson put together a 38-565-3 line on 58 targets in 13 contests, but he produced just 13 catches (on 25 targets) for 164 yards and one touchdown in five outings with Murray under center. The arrival of the dynamic Harrison likely leaves Wilson fending for looks with Jones, who has three years with at least 500 receiving yards on his resume. |
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Zay Jones Zay Jones Interesting landing spot in Arizona
Fri, May 10, 2024, 2:40 PM
Jones and the Cardinals agreed to terms on a contract Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Jones' deal is reportedly a one-year contract worth up to $4.25 million, per Jordan Schultz of BleacherReport.com. The big-bodied veteran was released by Jacksonville after the team's selection of Brian Thomas in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but he now finds a landing spot in the desert with a clear path to starting in three-wide sets. Rookie fourth overall pick Marvin Harrison profiles as the alpha in Arizona's wideout room, while tight end Trey McBride could be quarterback Kyler Murray's second-most-trusted playmaker, but Jones could well solidify himself over fellow wideout Michael Wilson. Jones was limited to nine games last season, but in 2022, he logged a 82-823-5 receiving line on 121 targets. |
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Kyler Murray Kyler Murray New target in form of Harrison
Wed, May 1, 2024, 3:35 PM
Murray will be throwing to a new No. 1 wide receiver in 2024 and beyond after the Cardinals selected Marvin Harrison, fourth overall, in this year's draft.
Analysis: Murray's 2023 debut was delayed due to a torn ACL in his right knee that he suffered Dec. 12, 2022. Upon his return Week 10, he started the final eight games of the campaign, completing 176 of 268 passes (65.7 percent) for 1,799 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions while rushing 44 times for 244 yards and three more TDs. By the end of the season, second-year TE Trey McBride had transformed into Murray's favorite target, and after the offseason departure of Marquise Brown (Chiefs), the quarterback was in search of a dynamic weapon in the passing game. The arrival of Harrison provides just that for Murray, who also will have RB James Conner and WR Michael Wilson at his disposal. |
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James Conner James Conner Leader of improved backfield
Tue, Apr 30, 2024, 4:47 PM
Rookie third-round pick Trey Benson is unlikely to take Conner's starting job but may eventually force a timeshare in the Cardinals' backfield, according to KC Joyner of The Athletic.
Analysis: Conner has missed multiple games in each of his seven NFL seasons, though never more than six in any one year, so any competition for touches could sort itself out. His 2023 included career highs for rushing yards (1,040) and yards per carry (5.0), with the downside being his fewest targets (33) and catches (27, 2.1 per game) since he was a barely-used rookie with Pittsburgh in 2017. The lack of receiving volume was partially a product of Emari Demercado getting playing time in passing situations, and it's worth noting that the Cardinals have two other backs in Michael Carter, DeeJay Dallas with track records as passing-down specialists. That said, Conner still figures to be the starter and lead runner, with Benson being the main threat to poach carries and TDs even if other guys are in the mix on passing downs. |
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Greg Dortch Greg Dortch Signs contract tender
Wed, Apr 3, 2024, 3:36 PM
Dortch signed his one-year exclusive rights tender with the Cardinals on Wednesday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: Dortch is coming off a 2023 season in which he recorded 24 receptions (on 41 targets) for 280 yards and two touchdowns in 16 contests for Arizona. With Marquise Brown and Rondale Moore no longer with the team, Dortch could see added opportunities during the upcoming season, though to what degree remains to be seen since the Cardinals will likely add receiver depth in the coming month via the 2024 NFL Draft. |
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Greg Dortch Greg Dortch Big opportunity ahead?
Fri, Mar 15, 2024, 3:21 PM
Dortch is part of a thin WR room in Arizona after the team traded Rondale Moore and lost Marquise Brown in free agency, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.
Analysis: The 5-foot-7 slot man and return specialist had eight games with seven or more targets over the past two seasons, seeing passes at an unusual rate for someone that only got significant playing time when injuries forced other players out of the lineup. Dortch might get a real opportunity in 2024, though the Cardinals still have time to strengthen their WR group, particularly via the NFL Draft in April. Dortch received a qualifying tender last week as an exclusive rights free agent, and he'll turn 26 this spring heading into this fourth year with the Cardinals. |
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Michael Wilson Michael Wilson Temporarily atop depth chart
Fri, Mar 15, 2024, 3:15 PM
Wilson is part of a thin WR room in Arizona after the team traded Rondale Moore and lost Marquise Brown in free agency, Bo Brack of GoPHNX.com reports.
Analysis: That said, the Cardinals own the fourth overall pick in a draft with three elite wide receiver prospects and might end up having their choice of the three. They also have time to pursue veterans, though journeyman Chris Moore has been the only free-agent addition so far. Wilson came in as a third-round pick last season and started 12 of his 13 games while posting excellent per-target efficiency numbers -- 65.5 percent catch rate, 14.9 YPR, 9.7 YPT -- but his low rate of targets per route (14.1 percent) leaves him as somewhat of a question mark. He's got opportunity and size (6-2, 213) working in his favor, while speed (4.58 40) and age (turned 24 in February) were dings on the prospect profile coming out of Stanford. If nothing else, Wilson seems to be in pretty good position to reprise his role as a starter who doesn't see that many targets. |
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Chris Moore Chris Moore Headed to Arizona
Thu, Mar 14, 2024, 8:58 PM
Moore signed a one-year contract with the Cardinals on Thursday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Moore has been a possession receiver for the majority of his career, but he flashed big-play ability during the Titans in 2023. Despite making only 22 catches, he had nine receptions of at least 20 yards and three of more than 40 yards. The Cardinals lack clarity in their wide receiver corps, and while they're likely to add to the group in either free agency or through the draft, Moore steps into a situation that currently should afford him plenty of opportunity to produce. |
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Desmond Ridder Desmond Ridder Dealt to Cardinals
Thu, Mar 14, 2024, 12:34 PM
The Falcons are trading Ridder to Arizona in exchange for wide receiver Rondale Moore, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Ridder gets a chance to start fresh after Atlanta opted to ink Kirk Cousins (Achilles) to a massive four-year contract, and he becomes the favorite to back up Kyler Murray for the Cardinals. The team also has 2023 fifth-round pick Clayton Tune available, and further competition could be added this offseason, but Ridder boasts enough experience to step up in emergency circumstances. Across 15 appearances last season he completed 249 of 388 passes for 2,836 yards, 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. |
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DeeJay Dallas DeeJay Dallas Lands in desert
Tue, Mar 12, 2024, 1:32 PM
Dallas is set to sign a contract with the Cardinals, Jordan Schultz of BleacherReport.com reports.
Analysis: Dallas will stay in the NFC West after a four-year start to his career in Seattle. The 25-year-old is better known for his work as a return man than in the backfield and likely will be working to hold down return duties in Arizona. |
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Greg Dortch Greg Dortch Tendered by Cardinals
Thu, Mar 7, 2024, 3:18 PM
Arizona offered Dortch a qualifying tender of $1.13 million for the 2024 season, Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap reports.
Analysis: Dortch, an exclusive rights free agent, has no choice but to sign the tender offered to him by the Cardinals if he wants to play in the NFL for the 2024 season. Across 16 appearances last season Dortch mostly contributed as Arizona's top punt and kick returner, but he also contributed on offense upon Kyler Murray's mid-season return from injury. In all, he secured 24 passes for 280 yards and two scores. |
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Elijah Higgins Elijah Higgins Makes some headway after Week 10
Thu, Feb 8, 2024, 11:08 PM
Higgins gathered in 14 of 19 targets for 163 yards and one touchdown in 11 regular-season games in 2023.
Analysis: A sixth-round pick of the Dolphins last April, Higgins transitioned from oversized wide receiver to undersized tight end in the move to the pros. The 6-foot-3, 235-pounder didn't survive cut-down day in Miami in late August and subsequently was claimed off waivers by Arizona. He eventually became a regular in the Cardinals offense after veteran Zach Ertz went down with a quad strain Week 7 and even recorded at least one catch in each of the team's final seven contests. That said, Higgins played second fiddle by a large margin to 2022 second-round pick Trey McBride, a role that likely will continue for him next season barring further additions at the position. |
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Zach Pascal Zach Pascal Musters career-worst output
Thu, Feb 8, 2024, 11:03 PM
Pascal tallied four catches (on 15 targets) for 19 yards and no touchdowns in 14 games during the 2023 campaign.
Analysis: In a receiving corps devoid of size outside of rookie third-rounder Michael Wilson (6-foot-2, 213 pounds), the 6-foot-2, 219-pound Pascal had a chance for a decent role in a Cardinals offense otherwise dominated by the diminutive Marquise Brown, Rondale Moore and Greg Dortch. Instead, Pascal surpassed a 30 percent snap share in only two of his 14 appearances and stumbled to the lowest output of his six-year career by a long shot. He's an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, so the 29-year-old may not be much more than camp fodder for any team that inks him to a new deal in the coming months. |
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Greg Dortch Greg Dortch Serves mostly on returns in 2023
Thu, Feb 8, 2024, 10:59 PM
Dortch reeled in 24 of 41 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns, had one five-yard carry, recorded 17 kick returns for 360 yards and returned 29 punts for 275 yards in 16 regular-season games in 2023.
Analysis: Dortch was barely utilized (one target) before Week 9, but with Kyler Murray back from a torn ACL thereafter, the wide receiver was a regular option for the quarterback the rest of the way. Even though a variety of injuries stretched the receiving corps thin during that span, Dortch mustered just a 23-278-2 line on 39 targets over the final eight contests of the campaign. He's an exclusive-rights free agent this offseason, so he likely will be a member of the Cardinals in 2024 assuming they tender him a contract. |
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Clayton Tune Clayton Tune Uninspiring rookie season
Thu, Feb 8, 2024, 10:55 PM
Tune completed 12 of 21 passes for 62 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions and had eight carries for 30 yards and one touchdown in seven games during the 2023 season.
Analysis: In the lone start of his rookie season Week 9, the 2023 fifth-round pick led the Cardinals to their lowest offensive output (58 net yards) in any game of the campaign. In essence, Tune bridged the gap between Joshua Dobbs starting the first eight contests and Kyler Murray getting the rest of the nods after the latter completed his recovery from a torn ACL. At 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, Tune got a handful of short-yardage reps in place of the smaller Murray in the second half of the year, but with Murray's five-year extension officially kicking in in 2024, the former is unlikely to be any higher than No. 2 on Arizona's QB depth chart next season. |
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Rondale Moore Rondale Moore Makes two end-zone visits in 2023
Fri, Feb 2, 2024, 11:18 PM
Moore gathered in 40 of 62 targets for 352 yards and one touchdown and took 28 carries for 178 yards and another touchdown in 17 games in the 2023 campaign.
Analysis: For the first time in his three-year career, Moore logged a full 17-game slate, and he managed career highs in yards from scrimmage (530) and TDs (two) while working with three different signal-callers. Having said that, he had similar success with No. 1 Kyler Murray back under center than he did prior to Week 10, notching 31.5 total yards per game after that versus 30.9 before then. Moore has one year remaining on his rookie deal, and offseason moves will determine where the 2021 second-rounder stands in the WR pecking order next season. |
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