Showing posts with label Kyler Murray. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kyler Murray. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 6, 2023

Arizona Cardinals 2023 Fantasy Football Projections

Our Fantasy Football Projections will be viewable by both position and team.

Below you will find our 2023 fantasy football projections for the Arizona Cardinals.

MORE: Fantasy football projections for more NFL teams

QUARTERBACKS

PlayerAtt.Comp.YardsTDINTRushYardsTDPoints
Kyler Murray312.1209.12184.713.426.428.5156.80.86149.11
Clayton Tune171.6108.11192.66.694.7218.364.10.4674.19
Joshua Dobbs140.483.5940.74.914.0715.3780.3158.79

Kyler Murray: While we know the minimum number of missed games is four, it's unclear how many games Murray (ACL) will miss to begin the season. Either way, there are incentives for the Cardinals to not rush him back before he's ready. When he does return, the dual-threat quarterback may not run nearly as much as he typically would either, but Murray has finished as fantasy's QB7 (2022), QB4 (2021) and QB3 (2020), respectively, on a per-game basis over the past three seasons if we exclude quarterbacks that started only one game during those seasons.

MORE: 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Will USC's Caleb Williams be Murray's eventual replacement?

Clayton Tune: It will be Tune or Josh Dobbs (key word: "or") under center when the Cardinals face the Commanders in Week 1, but it's also possible that both quarterbacks make starts in 2023. It's also unclear how much time Murray will miss in 2023. In other words, none of Arizona's quarterbacks are worth drafting outside of two-QB leagues.

RUNNING BACKS

PlayerAtt.YardsTDRec.YardsTDPoints
James Conner195.4820.75.8642.9323.91.4179.47
Keaontay Ingram91.4374.72.1516120.90.774.66
Emari Demercado41.7175.11.04969.10.437.56

James Conner: Conner has missed multiple games in all six of his NFL seasons including four games in 2022. In his two years with the Cardinals, he has a total of 385 carries for 1,534 yards (3.98 YPC) and 22 touchdowns while adding 83 catches for 675 yards and four touchdowns. The good news is that he should dominate backfield touches, as long as he remains healthy. The bad news is his number of scoring opportunities will likely be down (perhaps significantly), especially when Kyler Murray is sidelined.

WIDE RECEIVERS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Marquise Brown81.5997.55.91.260.05176.8
Rondale Moore63.1658.53.78.134.40.28124.72
Michael Wilson44.3576.53.4000100.2
Greg Dortch28.4291.51.77.144.40.3660.15
Zach Pascal23.2278.51.600049.05

Marquise Brown: Brown missed a stretch of five games in the middle of the season, but he played the first six games, missed five, and then played the final six games. During that span of the first six games, DeAndre Hopkins served a league-imposed suspension and Brown racked up a 43/485/3 stat line on 64 targets. That was much better than his final six games (24/224/0 on 43 targets), playing alongside Hopkins. From Weeks 1 to 6, Brown tied for third with Stefon Diggs (64) among wide receivers in targets behind Cooper Kupp (72) and Tyreek Hill (65). Only seven wide receivers scored more fantasy points during that stretch. Long story short: I'm betting Brown will outperform his ADP (by a possibly large margin) in 2023 despite the uncertainty around his former college quarterback.

Rondale Moore: Moore has missed 12 games including nine last season since being selected with a top-50 pick in 2021. In 22 career NFL games, he has a total of 920 yards from scrimmage on 119 touches (95 receptions and 24 carries) and two touchdowns. On a positive note, he had 24/255/1 receiving on 31 targets in his last three full games (Weeks 8-10 in 2022). Could a breakout be forthcoming for Moore?

Michael Wilson: Unlike Brown or Moore, Wilson provides the receiving corps with a big-bodied (6-2, 213) target. Wilson dealt with a number of injuries at Stanford, but the third-round rookie has looked good early on with the Cardinals.

TIGHT ENDS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Zach Ertz42.9477.13.100087.76
Trey McBride37.3401.62.500073.81
Geoff Swaim771.20.400013.02
Elijah Higgins551.80.30009.48

Zach Ertz: Ertz played only 10 games last season before tearing his ACL. Like Marquise Brown, Ertz was especially good when DeAndre Hopkins was suspended. Ertz had double-digit targets in four of the six games that Hopkins missed. He averaged 5.8 catches on 8.5 targets during that stretch.

Trey McBride: After Ertz tore his ACL, McBride became much more involved in the passing game. The first tight end selected in the 2022 NFL Draft had only four catches through Week 10, but then he had 25 receptions for 234 yards and a touchdown on 35 targets over the final seven games with Ertz out.

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Monday, August 21, 2023

Arizona Cardinals 2023 Fantasy Football Projections

Our Fantasy Football Projections will be viewable by both position and team.

Below you will find our 2023 fantasy football projections for the Arizona Cardinals.

MORE: Fantasy football projections for more NFL teams

QUARTERBACKS

PlayerAtt.Comp.YardsTDINTRushYardsTDPoints
Kyler Murray312.1209.12184.713.426.432.6179.30.98152.08
Colt McCoy187.3121.71264.37.024.6811.2370.2874.67
Clayton Tune124.878.6867.44.873.439.232.20.2351.92

Kyler Murray: How much time will Murray (ACL) miss to begin the season? That's anyone's guess at this point, but it would make sense for the Cardinals to not rush him back before he's ready, and the Arizona Republic's Bob McManaman made a "guess" of "three to five games." When he does return, the dual-threat quarterback may not run nearly as much as he typically would either, but Murray has finished as fantasy's QB7 (2022), QB4 (2021) and QB3 (2020), respectively, on a per-game basis over the past three seasons if we exclude quarterbacks that started only one game.

MORE: 2024 NFL Mock Draft: Will USC's Caleb Williams be Murray's eventual replacement?

Colt McCoy: McCoy will most likely be the starter in the games that Murray misses, but I wouldn't rule out an opportunity for Clayton Tune to make a few starts. The fifth-round pick started 44 games over five seasons for the Cougars and he's drawn some Brock Purdy comparisons although he's more mobile (4.64 40-yard dash) than Purdy.

RUNNING BACKS

PlayerAtt.YardsTDRec.YardsTDPoints
James Conner203.5854.76.1143.8323.71.4184.8
Keaontay Ingram86.13532.0215.1118.70.670.44
Corey Clement27.9114.40.79.269.10.429.55
Ty'Son Williams20.388.30.496.649.60.321.83

James Conner: Conner has missed multiple games in all six of his NFL seasons including four games in 2022. In his two years with the Cardinals, he has a total of 385 carries for 1,534 yards (3.98 YPC) and 22 touchdowns while adding 83 catches for 675 yards and four touchdowns. The good news is that he should dominate backfield touches, as long as he remains healthy. The bad news is his number of scoring opportunities will likely be down (perhaps significantly), especially when Kyler Murray is sidelined.

WIDE RECEIVERS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Marquise Brown83.3997.16150.04178.1
Rondale Moore64.5658.33.78.134.40.28125.4
Michael Wilson45.2576.23.4000100.62
Greg Dortch29.1291.41.87.144.40.3661.09
Zach Pascal19.9237.41.300041.49
Andre Baccellia5.764.70.400011.72

Marquise Brown: Brown missed a stretch of five games in the middle of the season, but he played the first six games, missed five, and then played the final six games. During that span of the first six games, DeAndre Hopkins served a league-imposed suspension and Brown racked up a 43/485/3 stat line on 64 targets. That was much better than his final six games (24/224/0 on 43 targets), playing alongside Hopkins. From Weeks 1 to 6, Brown tied for third with Stefon Diggs (64) among wide receivers in targets behind Cooper Kupp (72) and Tyreek Hill (65). Only seven wide receivers scored more fantasy points during that stretch. Long story short: I'm betting Brown will outperform his ADP (by a possibly large margin) in 2023.

Rondale Moore: Moore has missed 12 games including nine last season since being selected with a top-50 pick in 2021. In 22 career NFL games, he has a total of 920 yards from scrimmage on 119 touches (95 receptions and 24 carries) and two touchdowns. On a positive note, he had 24/255/1 receiving on 31 targets in his last three full games (Weeks 8-10 in 2022). Could a breakout be forthcoming for Moore?

Michael Wilson: Unlike Brown or Moore, Wilson provides the receiving corps with a big-bodied (6-2, 213) target. Wilson dealt with a number of injuries at Stanford, but the third-round rookie has looked good early on with the Cardinals.

TIGHT ENDS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Zach Ertz43.84773.100088.2
Trey McBride38.1401.42.500074.19
Geoff Swaim3.334.50.20006.3
Noah Togiai1.817.30.10003.23

Zach Ertz: Ertz played only 10 games last season before tearing his ACL. Like Marquise Brown, Ertz was especially good when DeAndre Hopkins was suspended. Ertz had double-digit targets in four of the six games that Hopkins missed. He averaged 5.8 catches on 8.5 targets during that stretch. Ertz is on track to play in Week 1.

Trey McBride: After Ertz tore his ACL, McBride became much more involved in the passing game. The first tight end selected in the 2022 NFL Draft had only four catches through Week 10, but then he had 25 receptions for 234 yards and a touchdown on 35 targets over the final seven games with Ertz out.

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Sunday, September 4, 2022

Arizona Cardinals Fantasy Football Projections 2022

Our 2022 Fantasy Football Projections will be viewable by both position and team.

Below you will find our 2022 fantasy football projections for the Arizona Cardinals.

MORE: Fantasy football projections for more NFL teams

QUARTERBACKS

PlayerAtt.Comp.YardsTDINTRushYardsTDPoints
Kyler Murray553.8373.84098.126.3111.9191.4502.75.26327.17
Colt McCoy41.727.5300.21.460.839.917.30.118.52

Kyler Murray: Early offseason drama led to Murray scrubbing his social media accounts of references to the Cardinals, but the dual-threat quarterback has a new contract and QB1 overall upside, when healthy. Even though he'll be without DeAndre Hopkins to start the season, the additions of Marquise Brown, his former Oklahoma teammate, and Trey McBride, the first tight end drafted in 2022, give Murray a talented group of pass catchers when the team's at full strength.

RUNNING BACKS

PlayerAtt.YardsTDRec.YardsTDPoints
James Conner234.6973.68.5638.3281.51.8206.82
Eno Benjamin61.7259.11.623.5169.31.170.79
Darrel Williams64.2263.21.7722.7162.7170.56
Keaontay Ingram10.945.80.267.857.20.317.56

James Conner: Conner scored 18 regular-season touchdowns with multiple scores in six of 15 games last season as he finished 2021 as a top-five fantasy running back. With Chase Edmonds now in Miami, Conner enters 2022 as Arizona's clear lead back.

WIDE RECEIVERS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Marquise Brown739615.71.58.60.06168.02
DeAndre Hopkins59716.94.8000129.99
Rondale Moore54.4653.1419.891.10.69129.76
A.J. Green26.5345.32.300061.58
Antoine Wesley4.2550.30009.4
Andy Isabella1.824.20.20004.52
Greg Dortch0.88.80.10001.88

Marquise Brown: Brown had a minimum of five targets and three receptions in every game last season with the Ravens as he posted his first-ever 1,000-yard campaign (91/1,008/6). With Baltimore trading him to Arizona, Brown is reunited with his former college quarterback and should be able to rebuild rapport early. The fourth-year receiver should be Arizona's WR1 for at least the first six games with DeAndre Hopkins suspended.

DeAndre Hopkins: Missing seven games in 2021, Hopkins set career lows in targets (64), receptions (42) and yards (572) as he averaged a non-rookie career low of 57.2 yards per game. A six-game suspension to begin the year limits Hopkins' ability to rebound strongly from last year's disappointing numbers.

TIGHT ENDS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Zach Ertz55.86073.8000111.4
Trey McBride22.7241.91.700045.74
Maxx Williams10.8114.40.700021.04

Zach Ertz: Targeted nine-plus times in the final four weeks of the season, Ertz finished that span with 28 catches for 253 yards on 43 targets. While those games overlapped with games that DeAndre Hopkins missed, Ertz should be heavily targeted during Hopkins' suspension to begin the season.

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Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Arizona Cardinals Fantasy Football Projections 2022

Our 2022 Fantasy Football Projections will be viewable by both position and team.

Below you will find our 2022 fantasy football projections for the Arizona Cardinals.

MORE: Fantasy football projections for more NFL teams

QUARTERBACKS

PlayerAtt.Comp.YardsTDINTRushYardsTDPoints
Kyler Murray553.8373.84098.126.3111.9191.4502.75.26327.17
Colt McCoy41.727.5300.21.460.839.917.30.118.52

Kyler Murray: Early offseason drama led to Murray scrubbing his social media accounts of references to the Cardinals, but the dual-threat quarterback has a new contract and QB1 overall upside, when healthy. Even though he'll be without DeAndre Hopkins to start the season, the additions of Marquise Brown, his former Oklahoma teammate, and Trey McBride, the first tight end drafted in 2022, give Murray a talented group of pass catchers when the team's at full strength.

RUNNING BACKS

PlayerAtt.YardsTDRec.YardsTDPoints
James Conner234.6973.68.5638.3281.51.8206.82
Darrel Williams69.2280.31.926.7189.11.178.29
Eno Benjamin56.8232.91.2819.5142.9161.01
Keaontay Ingram10.945.80.267.857.20.317.56

James Conner: Conner scored 18 regular-season touchdowns with multiple scores in six of 15 games last season as he finished 2021 as a top-five fantasy running back. The Cardinals have replaced Chase Edmonds, now in Miami, with Darrel Williams, but Conner enters 2022 as Arizona's clear lead back.

WIDE RECEIVERS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Marquise Brown73934.65.71.58.60.06165.38
DeAndre Hopkins61738.94.8000133.19
Rondale Moore54.4653.1419.891.10.69129.76
A.J. Green24.1318.92.200057.14
Antoine Wesley5.468.20.500012.52
Andy Isabella1.824.20.20004.52

Marquise Brown: Brown had a minimum of five targets and three receptions in every game last season as he posted his first-ever 1,000-yard campaign (91/1,008/6). With Baltimore trading him to Arizona, Brown is reunited with his former college quarterback and should be able to rebuild rapport early. The fourth-year receiver should be Arizona's WR1 for at least the first six games with DeAndre Hopkins suspended.

DeAndre Hopkins: Missing seven games in 2021, Hopkins set career lows in targets (64), receptions (42) and yards (572) as he averaged a non-rookie career low of 57.2 yards per game. A six-game suspension to begin the year limits Hopkins' ability to rebound strongly from last year's disappointing numbers.

TIGHT ENDS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Zach Ertz55.86183.8000112.5
Trey McBride22.7246.31.700046.18
Maxx Williams10.8125.40.700022.14

Zach Ertz: Targeted nine-plus times in the final four weeks of the season, Ertz finished that span with 28 catches for 253 yards on 43 targets. While those games overlapped with games that DeAndre Hopkins missed, Ertz should be heavily targeted during Hopkins' suspension to begin the season.

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Thursday, October 7, 2021

Arizona Cardinals Week 5 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Arizona Cardinals rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 1.2 (1st)
  • Best ranking: 1st (Multiple)
  • Worst ranking: 2nd (ESPN)

Below you will find a Week 5 roundup for the Cardinals in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 2

Biggest surprise: Success is happening so quickly

Why it's a surprise: It's not that the Cardinals being good is surprising, it's that everything is clicking so early in the season. The offense added some important pieces this season and it was expected that they would all jell, but for all of it to come together and to be undefeated, lead the NFC West, have one of the best offenses in the league and an early MVP candidate at quarterback -- well, that is what's surprising. The early meshing of everything is as good of a scenario as it gets for the Cardinals. Even though Arizona started hot last year and then went into a tailspin, this start feels different. -- Josh Weinfuss

NFL.com -- Rank: 1

That right there was a certified, no-doubt-about-it, oh-helllllll-yes, Statement Win™. The Cardinals went to Los Angeles and laid the smackdown on a Rams team that spent the week being hyped up as a Super Bowl favorite (we may have played a small role in this space). What made the 37-20 triumph especially impressive was that it wasn't all about a dynamo performance by Kyler Murray, though the rising third-year quarterback was again excellent. Instead, this was a team effort: The offense had its way with the Rams' elite defense, while the Cards' defense forced two early turnovers and kept the Matthew Stafford-led Rams air attack out of sync all afternoon. The victory was the first for the Cardinals in nine tries against Sean McVay's Rams. Said cornerback Byron Murphy Jr.: "I feel like, as a team, we're building towards something."

CBS Sports -- Rank: 1

They have earned the right to be in the top spot. They dominated the Rams on the road and Kyler Murray is in the MVP conversation.

USA Today -- Rank: 1

Are they really the best team in the NFL? It feels a little dubious for a club that deserved a loss to Minnesota in Week 2. But Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells is famous for saying, "You are what your record says you are," and Arizona is the only 4-0 team in the league and coming off a dominant performance of the previously top-ranked Rams. The Cards have also posted at least 30 points and 400 yards in each of their first four games for the first time in eight decades. So let's give them their due ... at least for now.

The Athletic -- Rank: 1

The Cardinals gained 465 yards against a talented Rams defense last week in one of the biggest wins of the Kliff Kingsbury era. The Cardinals are the NFL's last undefeated team, and now have an edge over the Rams in the uber-competitive NFC West. Kyler Murray has been the star the Cardinals need him to be, but how about running back Chase Edmonds (12 rushes for 120 yards) and receiver A.J. Green (five catches, 67 yards and a touchdown) emerging as consistent role players?

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Thursday, September 30, 2021

Arizona Cardinals Week 4 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Arizona Cardinals rank in terms of average, best and worst:

  • Average ranking: 6.0 (5th)
  • Best ranking: 2nd (CBS Sports)
  • Worst ranking: 11th (NFL.com)

Below you will find a Week 4 roundup for the Cardinals in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 8

Kyler Murray's growth from last season to this season is very evident. He has taken the necessary jumps from Years 1 and 2 to Year 3, and it's showing on the field. He is putting up MVP-like numbers with 1,005 passing yards (third most in the NFL) and seven passing touchdowns (fifth most). And he's going to keep getting better. As long as he stays healthy, he'll finish the season among the best quarterbacks in the league. But there's more. He also has rushed for a touchdown in each of his first three games. Murray's dual-threat ability makes him among the most -- if not the most -- difficult quarterbacks to defend in the league. -- Josh Weinfuss

NFL.com -- Rank: 11

The worst moment of Sunday was obvious: Kliff Kingsbury's misbegotten decision to let Matt Prater try a 68-yard field goal in the final seconds of the first half, a bold move rewarded with a 109-yard touchdown return by Jacksonville. Luckily for Kingsbury, the Cardinals have a superstar quarterback who can cover up for the sins of the head coach and others. Kyler Murray threw for 316 yards, and Arizona had two 100-yard receivers -- neither named DeAndre Hopkins -- in a 31-19 win over the hapless Jaguars. After the game, the Cardinals neatly spun the special teams catastrophe into an opportunity to display their apparent team growth. "The last two years," Murray said, "we would have lost that game for sure." OK.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 2

It hasn't always been pretty for this team, but they are 3-0. They are making a lot of big plays on both sides of the ball.

USA Today -- Rank: 5

Whatever suspicions their 3-0 start might have sown will be tested over the next three weeks as Arizona face the Rams and Browns on the road while hosting the 49ers in between those dates.

The Athletic -- Rank: 4

Surprise! We knew the Cardinals had good wide receivers, but that group has exceeded expectations. Christian Kirk is on pace for a career year. Second-round pick Rondale Moore leads all rookies in yards after the catch (162). A.J. Green looks like he has plenty in the tank at 33. DeAndre Hopkins has been, well, DeAndre Hopkins. Kyler Murray and these weapons have made for a highly entertaining offense.

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Saturday, August 21, 2021

2021 Fantasy Football Projections: Arizona Cardinals

Our 2021 Fantasy Football Projections will be viewable by both position and team.

Below you will find our 2021 fantasy football projections for the Arizona Cardinals.

MORE: Fantasy football projections for more NFL teams

QUARTERBACKS

PlayerAtt.Comp.YardsTDINTRushYardsTDPoints
Kyler Murray575.3384.94113.426.4612.661166967.48359.54
Colt McCoy36.722.2244.11.280.924.616.10.0715.07

Kyler Murray: While Murray played all 16 games, shoulder and leg injuries slowed him a bit down the stretch. Even so, he finished his sophomore campaign as fantasy's QB2 (and was QB1 after Week 16). When healthy, Murray scored more than 20 fantasy points and finished as a top-12 fantasy quarterback in 10 consecutive games to start the season. Heading into 2021, Murray will be a top-four option once again even if he hopes to run a little bit less.

RUNNING BACKS

PlayerAtt.YardsTDRec.YardsTDPoints
Chase Edmonds148.4660.44.1656457.52.8181.55
James Conner153.1650.74.5923.8191.71.2130.88
Eno Benjamin23.297.40.416.141.40.220.59
Jonathan Ward4.619.10.071.613.10.15.04

Chase Edmonds: The former fourth-round pick out of Fordham has averaged 4.4 yards per carry and 7.2 yards per reception over his first three NFL seasons. With Kenyan Drake out and James Conner in, Edmonds' workload will almost certainly exceed the 150 touches he had in 2020. Given Edmonds' RB3/flex ADP, his draft-day cost seems priced fairly close to his floor, but there is plenty of upside as well.

MORE: Chase Edmonds 2021 Fantasy Football Outlook

James Conner: Joining the Cardinals on a one-year deal, Conner will steal some early-down carries from Edmonds and could potentially be in a fairly even split. If he can stay healthy and earn a larger role, there is plenty of upside for Conner as well (as Edmonds).

WIDE RECEIVERS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
DeAndre Hopkins107.11261.57.4000224.1
Rondale Moore55.4570.83.712.878.10.38117.07
Christian Kirk51.9612.23.91.27.50.02111.44
A.J. Green47.8605.74000108.47
Keesean Johnson5.765.40.600012.99
Andy Isabella2.839.20.40007.72

DeAndre Hopkins: In his first season in Arizona, Hopkins tied a career high in receptions (115) and his 1,407 receiving yards were the third most of his career. Meanwhile, Stefon Diggs (166) was the only receiver with more targets than Hopkins (160). While his six touchdowns were a four-year low, Hopkins still finished as a top-five fantasy receiver in half-PPR/PPR formats. (Hopkins was WR9 in non-PPR.)

Rondale Moore: The Cards will look to manufacture touches for their dynamic rookie. Playing only seven games over the past two collegiate seasons, Moore was uber-productive as a true freshman in 2018 (114/1258/12 receiving and 21/213/2 rushing). It's certainly possible that Moore performs as Arizona's second-best receiver, but I have the trio of Moore, Christian Kirk and A.J. Green all bunched together in my projections.

Christian Kirk: With DeAndre Hopkins dominating targets, Kirk's targets dropped from 108 (8.31/G) in 2019 to 79 (5.64/G) in 2020. The vast majority of his fantasy production including all of his touchdowns occurred during a five-game stretch from Weeks 4-9 (20/343/6, 17.15 Y/R, WR7). While Larry Fitzgerald has not (officially) yet retired and says that he doesn't have the "urge to play right now", the team has signed A.J. Green and drafted Rondale Moore, which means that Kirk's 2021 numbers are unlikely to improve much from last season and may even decline. Kirk has missed multiple games in all three of his NFL seasons.

A.J. Green: After playing a total of nine games in 2018-19, Green played a full 16-game slate in 2020, but he set career lows in yards (523), Y/R (11.1), Y/TGT (5.0) and catch rate (45.2%). In addition, he had five goose-egg games and another with only a three-yard reception. Perhaps a change of scenery and a more potent offense will help his peripheral stats, but targets could be inconsistent given Hopkins target-hog status.

TIGHT ENDS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Maxx Williams32.6331.22.300063.22
Darrell Daniels13.2135.1100026.11
Ross Travis3.132.70.30006.62

Maxx Williams: Despite being elevated to Arizona's TE1, Williams is off the fantasy radar outside of deep TE-premium leagues as the team's tight ends have a 10.9% target share in Kliff Kingsbury's two seasons as head coach.

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Saturday, August 7, 2021

Fantasy Football Projections 2021: Arizona Cardinals

Our 2021 Fantasy Football Projections will be viewable by both position and team.

Below you will find our 2021 fantasy football projections for the Arizona Cardinals.

MORE: Fantasy football projections for more NFL teams

QUARTERBACKS

PlayerAtt.Comp.YardsTDINTRushYardsTDPoints
Kyler Murray572.2382.8403426.0412.591166967.48354.82
Colt McCoy39.824.1258.71.3914.616.10.0715.94

Kyler Murray: While Murray played all 16 games, shoulder and leg injuries slowed him a bit down the stretch. Even so, he finished his sophomore campaign as fantasy's QB2 (and was QB1 after Week 16). When healthy, Murray scored more than 20 fantasy points and finished as a top-12 fantasy quarterback in 10 consecutive games to start the season. Heading into 2021, Murray will be a top-four option once again even if he hopes to run a little bit less.

RUNNING BACKS

PlayerAtt.YardsTDRec.YardsTDPoints
Chase Edmonds147.3655.54.1255.94553181.72
James Conner151.9645.64.5622.4178.11.2128.13
Eno Benjamin23.297.40.417.149.40.221.89
Jonathan Ward729.10.112150.16.67

Chase Edmonds: The former fourth-round pick has averaged 4.4 yards per carry and 7.2 yards per reception over his first three NFL seasons. With Kenyan Drake out and James Conner in, Edmonds should be Arizona's RB1 (a term he hates) and has an opportunity to perform as a fantasy RB2 in 2021.

MORE: Chase Edmonds 2021 Fantasy Football Outlook

James Conner: Joining the Cardinals on a one-year deal, Conner will steal some early-down carries from Edmonds and could potentially be in a fairly even split. If he can stay healthy and earn a larger role, there is plenty of upside.

WIDE RECEIVERS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
DeAndre Hopkins106.81219.17.3000219.11
Christian Kirk53.961641.27.50.02113.42
A.J. Green47.86014000108
Rondale Moore50.9525.93.212.878.10.38107.33
Keesean Johnson5.768.70.600013.32
Andy Isabella5.5730.700014.25

DeAndre Hopkins: In his first season in Arizona, Hopkins tied a career high in receptions (115) and his 1,407 receiving yards were the third most of his career. Meanwhile, Stefon Diggs (166) was the only receiver with more targets than Hopkins (160). While his six touchdowns were a four-year low, Hopkins still finished as a top-five fantasy receiver in half-PPR/PPR formats. (Hopkins was WR9 in non-PPR.)

Christian Kirk: With DeAndre Hopkins dominating targets, Kirk's targets dropped from 108 (8.31/G) in 2019 to 79 (5.64/G) in 2020. The vast majority of his fantasy production including all of his touchdowns occurred during a five-game stretch from Weeks 4-9 (20/343/6, 17.15 Y/R, WR7). While Larry Fitzgerald has not (officially) yet retired, the team has signed A.J. Green and drafted Rondale Moore, which means that Kirk's 2021 numbers are unlikely to improve much from last season and may even decline. Kirk has missed multiple games in all three of his NFL seasons.

A.J. Green: After playing a total of nine games in 2018-19, Green played a full 16-game slate in 2020, but he set career lows in yards (523), Y/R (11.1), Y/TGT (5.0) and catch rate (45.2%). In addition, he had five goose-egg games and another with only a three-yard reception. Perhaps a change of scenery and a more potent offense will help his peripheral stats, but targets could be inconsistent given Hopkins target-hog status.

Rondale Moore: The Cards will look to manufacture touches for their dynamic rookie. Playing only seven games over the past two collegiate seasons, Moore was uber-productive as a true freshman in 2018 (114/1258/12 receiving and 21/213/2 rushing).

TIGHT ENDS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Maxx Williams32.6326.2200060.92
Darrell Daniels13.2133.10.900025.31
Ross Travis3.132.20.30006.57

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Friday, July 23, 2021

2021 Fantasy Football Projections: Arizona Cardinals

Our 2021 Fantasy Football Projections will be viewable by both position and team.

Below you will find our 2021 fantasy football projections for the Arizona Cardinals.

MORE: Fantasy football projections for more NFL teams

QUARTERBACKS

PlayerAtt.Comp.YardsTDINTRushYardsTDPoints
Kyler Murray572.2382.8403426.0412.591166967.25353.44
Colt McCoy39.824.1258.71.3914.616.10.0715.94

Kyler Murray: While Murray played all 16 games, shoulder and leg injuries slowed him a bit down the stretch. Even so, he finished his sophomore campaign as fantasy's QB2 (and was QB1 after Week 16). When healthy, Murray scored more than 20 fantasy points and finished as a top-12 fantasy quarterback in 10 consecutive games to start the season. Heading into 2021, Murray will be a top-three option once again even if he hopes to run a little bit less.

RUNNING BACKS

PlayerAtt.YardsTDRec.YardsTDPoints
Chase Edmonds1607124.4858487.23.2195
James Conner139.1591.24.1719.3154.51115.24
Eno Benjamin23.297.40.418.1580.323.85
Jonathan Ward729.10.11217.20.16.89

Chase Edmonds: The former fourth-round pick has averaged 4.4 yards per carry and 7.2 yards per reception over his first three NFL seasons. With Kenyan Drake out and James Conner in, Edmonds should be Arizona's RB1 and has an opportunity to perform as a fantasy RB2 in 2021.

James Conner: Joining the Cardinals on a one-year deal, Conner will steal some early-down carries from Edmonds and could potentially be in a fairly even split. If he can stay healthy and earn a larger role, there is plenty of upside.

WIDE RECEIVERS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
DeAndre Hopkins106.81214.87.3000218.68
Christian Kirk54.9622.441.27.50.02114.56
A.J. Green49.8622.44.1000111.74
Rondale Moore46.8476.52.912.878.10.3898.54
Keesean Johnson6.379.40.600014.69
Andy Isabella5.975.10.700014.66

DeAndre Hopkins: In his first season in Arizona, Hopkins tied a career high in receptions (115) and his 1,407 receiving yards were the third most of his career. Meanwhile, Stefon Diggs (166) was the only receiver with more targets than Hopkins (160). While his six touchdowns were a four-year low, Hopkins still finished as a top-five fantasy receiver in half-PPR/PPR formats. (Hopkins was WR9 in non-PPR.)

Christian Kirk: With DeAndre Hopkins dominating targets, Kirk's targets dropped from 108 (8.31/G) in 2019 to 79 (5.64/G) in 2020. The vast majority of his fantasy production including all of his touchdowns occurred during a five-game stretch from Weeks 4-9 (20/343/6, 17.15 Y/R, WR7). While Larry Fitzgerald has not yet retired, the team has signed A.J. Green and drafted Rondale Moore, which means that Kirk's 2021 numbers are unlikely to improve much from last season and may even decline. Kirk has missed multiple games in all three of his NFL seasons.

A.J. Green: After playing a total of nine games in 2018-19, Green played a full 16-game slate in 2020, but he set career lows in yards (523), Y/R (11.1), Y/TGT (5.0) and catch rate (45.2%). In addition, he had five goose-egg games and another with only a three-yard reception. Perhaps a change of scenery and a more potent offense will help his peripheral stats, but targets could be inconsistent given Hopkins target-hog status.

Rondale Moore: The Cards will look to manufacture touches for their dynamic rookie. Playing only seven games over the past two years, Moore was uber-productive as a true freshman in 2018 (114/1258/12 receiving and 21/213/2 rushing).

TIGHT ENDS

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Maxx Williams32.6322200060.5
Darrell Daniels13.2128.80.900024.88
Ross Travis3.134.30.30006.78

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Sunday, July 11, 2021

Fantasy Football Mock Draft 2021 - 12 Teams, PPR Scoring, 12th Pick

The best way to become good at something is to practice. So, what should you do if you want to draft a better fantasy football team?

Practice, of course!

Leading up to the start of the 2021 NFL season, we will use the 2021 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator (powered by FantasyPros) to complete fantasy football mock drafts.

We will use a variety of scoring formats -- PPR, half-PPR, standard scoring and even 2-QB leagues, league sizes and draft slots. The goal is to give you a good representation of the team that you may be able to construct given your league settings and the rationale of why we made the picks we did.

+ Our mocks will be tracked here: Fantasy Football Mock Drafts.

That said, nothing beats practicing yourself so (check out the simulator) and complete a mock in a matter of minutes.

PPR Mock Draft: 12 Teams, 12th Pick

1.12 - Tyreek Hill, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

While I prefer starting drafts with RB (or RB/RB), few players (at any position) have as much upside as Hill to erupt for a massive performance in any given week. Setting a career high in touchdowns (17), Hill had 87 receptions for 1,276 yards and 13 carries for 123 yards in 2020.

2.01 - Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

Tampa's Rob Gronkowski finished as fantasy's TE8 (126.8) last season and Kelce (260.26, TE1) was so good in 2020 that he actually doubled Gronk up. Extending his 1,000-yard streak to five seasons, he set career highs across the board (105/1,416/11) in his age-31 campaign.

Regardless of how you slice it, Kelce is not only the slam-dunk TE1 heading into 2021, but he's worthy of drafting in Round 1.

More: Kansas City Chiefs 2021 Fantasy Football Projections

3.12 - Chris Carson, RB, Seattle Seahawks

If I were to redo this mock, I'd likely take my first RB before pick 3.12 99 out of 100 times. That said, I really like Carson here. Few teams want to "establish the run" more than the Seahawks so returning to Seattle on a two-year deal was Carson's ideal landing spot. Even though the Seahawks let Russell Wilson "cook" in the first half of the year, Carson performed as fantasy's RB13 or better in four of the team's five games before their Week 6 bye. In fact, he was a top-five performer from Weeks 1 to 5.

4.01 - Amari Cooper, WR, Dallas Cowboys

Cooper finished 2020 with a career-high 92 receptions for 1,114 yards and five touchdowns. It was his third consecutive 1,000-yard season and fifth of his career. In 41 games as a member of the Cowboys, Cooper has averaged 73.9 yards per game.

More: CeeDee Lamb 2021 Fantasy Football Profile

5.12 - Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

From Week 2 until Week 11 (Joe Burrow's knee injury), Higgins scored the 19th-most fantasy points (half-PPR scoring) amongst wide receivers. With the Bengals drafting Ja'Marr Chase over Penei Sewell, it took some steam out of Higgins' opportunity to build upon his strong rookie season. On the other hand, A.J. Green and his 104 targets (6.5/G) are no longer on the roster, so I really like him as this team's WR3.

More: Joe Mixon 2021 Fantasy Football Profile

6.01 - Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals

While Murray played all 16 games, shoulder and leg injuries slowed him a bit down the stretch. Even so, he finished his sophomore campaign as fantasy's QB2 (and was QB1 after Week 16). When healthy, Murray scored more than 20 fantasy points and finished as a top-12 fantasy quarterback in 10 consecutive games to start the season.

7.12 - Javonte Williams, RB, Denver Broncos

Moving up to get in front of the Dolphins for the opportunity to draft Williams, it's likely that Williams emerges as the team's lead back sooner rather than later. The 20-year-old back is a tackle-breaking machine.

More: Denver Broncos 2022 NFL Mock Draft Roundup

8.01 - Melvin Gordon, RB, Denver Broncos

As noted in the pick above, I expect Williams to become the RB1 over Gordon. If I'm wrong, this pick is insurance. MG3 wasn't great last year, but he was productive down the stretch -- seventh in touches (120), seventh in yards from scrimmage (618) and ninth in half-PPR scoring from Weeks 11 to 17.

9.12 - Zack Moss, RB, Buffalo Bills

Many 2021 mock drafts linked the Bills to a first-round running back. Instead of adding an early-round running back, it's a positive for the outlook of Moss and Devin Singletary that the Bills only added Matt Breida in free agency. While I prefer Moss over Singletary, a concern for both is that Josh Allen has 25 rushing touchdowns over the past three seasons. Not only has Allen led the team in that category in each of the past three years, he has 56.8% (25 of 44) of the team's rushing touchdowns over that stretch.

More: Buffalo Bills 2021 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

10.01 - Tony Pollard, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Despite playing fewer than 50% of the team's offensive snaps every week except for the game Ezekiel Elliott missed (Week 15, 90%), Pollard had at least eight touches in 10 of the team's final 12 games. Excluding his one start, Pollard averaged nine touches over his final 11 games in which he appeared in less than half of the team's offensive snaps. Assuming good health for Dak Prescott and the offensive line, 8-10 weekly touches in this offense could lead to stand-alone flex value for Pollard on a weekly basis.

More: Dak Prescott 2021 Fantasy Football Profile

11.12 - Jamaal Williams, RB, Detroit Lions

In his four NFL seasons, Williams has averaged 736.5 scrimmage yards, 155.5 touches and 30.5 receptions per season with the Packers. While he remains his team's RB2 (to D'Andre Swift instead of Aaron Jones), Williams should get 8-10 touches per game even with both Swift and Williams healthy.

12.01 - Mecole Hardman, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Many fantasy managers expected Hardman to take a step forward in his sophomore campaign, but his year-over-year production was nearly identical -- 26/538/6 (20.7 Y/R) in 2019 and 41/560/4 (13.7 Y/R) in 2020. With Sammy Watkins now in Baltimore and no significant additions to the receiving corps, however, Hardman offers upside at his late-round ADP.

13.12 - Rashaad Penny, RB, Seattle Seahawks

It feels a little weird handcuffing a back (Carson) that plays reckless abandon and could miss games with a player (Penny) that has his own durability concerns. That said, Penny has been efficient -- 5.1 YPC and 9.3 Y/R -- on relatively limited touches.

14.01 - John Brown, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

Two seasons removed from a 1,000-yard campaign, it wouldn't be far-fetched for Brown to lead the wide receivers in production. That said, consistent weekly production is likely to elude the position group with Darren Waller dominating targets.

More: Las Vegas Raiders 2022 NFL Mock Draft Roundup

15.12 - Bills DST, Buffalo Bills

16.01 - Younghoe Koo, K, Atlanta Falcons

- View Full Mock Draft Results

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