Are the Cardinals back?
Six quarterbacks are looking to take that “year two quarterback leap” in 2020, among them Daniel Jones, Gardner Minshew, Drew Lock, Dwayne Haskins and Jarrett Stidham (yes he counts). But the overwhelming favorite is Arizona Cardinals passer Kyler Murray.
And with good reason. While Murray did not light the world on fire as a rookie, he performed well enough to be named the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. He completed 64.4% of his passes for 3,722 yards and 20 touchdowns, against 12 interceptions, and added another 544 yards rushing and four rushing touchdowns. He also showed an ability to make throws from the pocket, including anticipation throws, traits which were a question mark during his draft cycle.
Speaking of additions, the Cardinals made one of the biggest additions this offseason when they added elite wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in a trade with the Houston Texans at the start of free agency. So Murray could be looking at a 10 personnel package (no one used this 4 WR – 1 RB group more in the NFL last year than Arizona) of Hopkins, Christian Kirk, Larry Fitzgerald and one of the Andy Isabella/Hakeem Butler/KeeSean Johnson trio at WR, with Kenyan Drake at the running back spot. That…is a dangerous group.
So yes, if you are making bets this offseason, placing some on Murray and the Cardinals is a good one to make.