The Arizona Cardinals improved their team in free agency. Based on early grades for their work in the NFL draft, they improved the team with their draft class.
Based on new power rankings from Touchdown Wire’s Mark Schofield, they could be a surprise team to make a big jump in 2020.
He has them now in the top 10 of the league, No. 10 overall in the NFL.
Such an incredible flex.
Kliff Kingsbury certainly looked relaxed in his James Bond-style living space, termed that by the brilliant Nora Princiotti of the Boston Globe. But he had reason to be. The Arizona Cardinals became one of the most athletic and versatile defenses in the league when they added Isaiah Simmons to their roster. Listed as a linebacker for NFL purposes, the Clemson defender can play in a variety of roles and probably projects best as a safety. Then the Cardinals pounced and grabbed tackle Josh Jones in the third round, despite projections that had him coming off the board in the first.
Day Three of the draft was almost as productive. Utah’s Leki Fotu could be a player that will thrive in the NFL, as he was used primarily as a run stopper in college but he can get after the passer when given the chance. He’ll have more chances in the NFL, especially with players like Chandler Jones and potentially even Simmons coming off the outside. Eno Benjamin was a tremendous pick for them in the seventh round.
Oh, and remember when they added DeAndre Hopkins this offseason? Pepperidge Farms remembers.
Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar believes 2020 will be the Year of Kyler Murray, much like 2018 was all about Patrick Mahomes and 2019 was all about Lamar Jackson.
The Cardinals have given him offensive weapons. The defensive personnel has been seriously upgraded.
The five-win 2019 Cardinals had three games where they gave the defense a lead late in the fourth quarter or overtime, only to have them give up the lead. That team could have potentially been 8-8.
The playoffs should be a realistic expectation, assuming everything goes as they should.
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Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
Ep.265
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Ep. 264
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