The Arizona Cardinals did not finish the 2020 season the way they wanted as a team but they did have some great individual play. Quarterback Kyler Murray, receiver DeAndre Hopkins and safety Budda Baker were Pro Bowlers. Baker was an All-Pro.
But in Pro Football Focus’ rankings of the top 101 players of the 2020 season, the leader of the Cardinals is none of those three.
Three players made the top 101 but left tackle D.J. Humphries led the way.
He came in at No. 31 overall. He was not part of the top 101 last year.
This season marked a true breakout season for former first-round pick D.J. Humphries. After an underwhelming first month of play, Humphries was a rock over the final three-quarters of the season, surrendering just 12 total pressures in his final 12 games. Humphries allowed only one sack over that time and recorded an overall PFF grade above 90.0 while protecting for a quarterback who tends to hold the ball and make life difficult for his offensive linemen. Humphries was one of the best tackles in the game this season, particularly after the first month.
Hopkins was next, coming in at No. 36 after ranking 39th after 2019.
In his first season in the desert, DeAndre Hopkins picked up where he left off in Houston, trailing only Stefon Diggs in targets over the season, with 154. Hopkins caught 115 of those passes (74.7%) for over 1,400 yards. With a new role in Arizona, he showed a little more after the catch, breaking 21 tackles with the ball in his hands — almost double the number he produced in either of the previous two seasons. Hopkins is one of the game’s most dynamic receivers, regardless of who his quarterback is.
Murray debuts in PFF’s list at No. 71.
Kyler Murray is one of the league’s most electrifying players. While his passing didn’t take the huge leap this season many expected, he still improved his PFF passing grade over last year by more than 16 grading points. Despite being hampered by injury, he also added 11 rushing touchdowns, 52 first downs on the ground and over 400 scramble yards.
Baker, the All-Pro, did not make the list.
Humphries arguably should have earned Pro Bowl honors, but with players like Trent Williams and David Bakhtiari in the conference with a reputation of great play.
Hopkins and Murray on this list is no surprise. Humphries’ inclusion is both surprising and awesome.
The former first-round pick has become what the team believed he could be when they drafted him.
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