Roster Changes

 

Key additions

QB Brett Hundley, WR Kevin White, WR Damiere Byrd, TE Charles Clay, TE Maxx Williams, OT Marcus Gilbert, G J.R. Sweezy, G Max Garcia, DE Darius Philon, OLB Terrell Suggs, OLB Brooks Reed, ILB Jordan Hicks, ILB Tanner Vallejo, ILB Joe Walker, CB Robert Alford, CB Tramaine Brock

 

Key losses

QB Mike Glennon, FB Derrick Coleman, WR J.J. Nelson, TE Jermaine Gresham, G Mike Iupati, DE Markus Golden, DE Benson Mayowa, LB Deone Bucannon, LB Josh Bynes, LB Gerald Hodges, S Antoine Bethea, S Tre Boston

 

2019 draft class

QB Kyler Murray (1.01), CB Byron Murphy (2.33), WR Andy Isabella (2.62), DE Zach Allen (3.65), WR Hakeem Butler (4.103), S Deionte Thompson (5.139), WR KeeSean Johnson (6.174), C Lamont Gaillard (6.179), OT Joshua Miles (7.248), DE Michael Dogbe (7.249), TE Caleb Wilson (7.254)

 

Projected Starters

 

Offense

QB: Kyler Murray
RB: David Johnson
WR: Larry Fitzgerald
WR: Christian Kirk
WR: Andy Isabella
WR: Hakeem Butler
LT: D.J. Humphries
LG: J.R. Sweezy
C: Mason Cole
RG: Justin Pugh
RT: Marcus Gilbert

 

Defense

DE: Darius Philon
DT: Corey Peters
DE: Zach Allen
OLB: Chandler Jones
ILB: Jordan Hicks
ILB: Haason Reddick
OLB: Terrell Suggs
CB: Patrick Peterson
CB: Byron Murphy
S: Budda Baker
S: D.J. Swearinger

 

Team Outlook

 

Notable depth

QB Brett Hundley, RB Chase Edmonds, RB T.J. Logan, WR Chad Williams, WR Kevin White, WR KeeSean Johnson, WR Damiere Byrd, TE Charles Clay, TE Ricky Seals-Jones, TE Maxx Williams, TE Caleb Wilson, OT Will Holden, OT Korey Cunningham, G Max Garcia, C A.Q. Shipley, DE Robert Nkemdiche, DT Rodney Gunter, OLB Brooks Reed, ILB Tanner Vallejo, ILB Joe Walker, CB Robert Alford, CB Brandon Williams, CB Tramaine Brock, S Deionte Thompson

 

Biggest strength: Wide receiver

The skill-position group as a whole (including dual-threat Kyler Murray) could be considered a strength with David Johnson being one of the best running backs in the game, but I’m going with the wideouts in particular because Arizona is stacked there. Even entering his age-36 campaign, Larry Fitzgerald has plenty left in the tank, and he will lead a young group that could be flat out scary if they all live up to their potential. For what it’s worth, as prospects I compared Christian Kirk to Odell Beckham Jr., Andy Isabella to Tyler Lockett, and Hakeem Butler to A.J. Green.

 

Biggest weakness: Defensive line

The defensive line isn’t necessarily a weakness following the switch to a 3-4 front, but Darius Philon, Corey Peters, and rookie Zach Allen—along with Rodney Gunter and Robert Nkemdiche behind them—will be key in freeing up Jordan Hicks and Haason Reddick to make plays. Based on last season, the offensive line would be the clear weakness, but the group looks significantly improved (on paper at least).

 

Position battle to watch: Cornerback

The Cardinals need guys to step up at cornerback with Patrick Peterson suspended the first six games of the year due to a violation of the league’s PED policy, so this is a rare position battle that will actually be determined multiple weeks into the regular season. To start, rookie Byron Murphy and veteran Robert Alford should be outside with Tramaine Brock in the slot, but perhaps former third-round pick Brandon Williams can step up and kick either Murphy or Alford inside.

 

One more thought

For as disastrous as last offseason’s big moves were, this year’s look a lot more promising for Arizona—but might be just as volatile. Anything from being in play for the No. 1 overall pick again to still fighting for a playoff spot in December could happen, and I hope for Larry Fitzgerald’s sake that they can somehow pull off the latter, as one of the league’s all-time great clutch performers deserves another opportunity to shine in January.

 

Early over/under: 5 wins (via CBS Sports)

Over. I’m not completely sold on Kliff Kingsbury as a fired college coach with a losing record at Texas Tech, but the Cardinals have very quietly put together a strong roster on both sides of the ball, and the spread attack might catch some opponents unprepared in Year 1.