Cardinals climbing in offseason power rankings after moves in free agency

They are nearly a top-10 team in Touchdown Wire’s latest rankings.

The Arizona Cardinals are being praised for their early work in the offseason and free agency. They acquired receiver DeAndre Hopkins in what has been considered a very lopsided trade in their favor. They added starters at positions of need and depth as well.

They have retained key contributors from last season.

What does that mean for them?

It means, at least for now, they are an upward-trending team and it shows in the latest offseason power rankings from Touchdown Wire’s Mark Schofield.

He has them all the way up to No. 12, which would be playoff territory in terms of rankings.

It is hard to overstate how important the acquisition of Hopkins is for this offense and the trickle-down impact it might have on Arizona’s plans. The Cardinals ran 10 offensive personnel (four wide receivers, one running back, no tight end) more than any other team in the league a season ago, so acquiring a premier wide receiver like Hopkins is a massive move. As it stands, the Cardinals have a top three of Hopkins, Christian Kirk and Larry Fitzgerald, with players like Trent Sherfield, KeeSean Johnson, Hakeem Butler and Andy Isabella battling for that fourth spot.

Or, with the eighth overall pick in the draft, they could reunite quarterback Kyler Murray with one of his collegiate targets, CeeDee Lamb.

The acquisitions on the defensive side of the football are also very good additions. Phillips tallied nearly 10 sacks a season ago and gives them interior push on the inside with Chandler Jones still prowling on the outside. Campbell and Kennard are solid additions to the linebacker group.

Things are definitely trending up in the desert.

It is hard not to get excited about the Cardinals. Their running game should be good again. The passing game was upgraded with Hopkins. With their defensive additions, they should at least be a capable defense, rather than the dumpster fire they were most of last season.

The result could be and should be a playoff-contending team, especially with a seventh team in the conference making it this season.

In terms of the NFC West, the trail the Seattle Seahawks by only one and are ahead of the Los Angeles Rams, who rank 23rd.

The NFC champion San Francisco 49ers are still near the top, ranking fourth.

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Ep. 262

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Ep. 261

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