Cardinals offseason positional outlook: The receivers

We break down the position’s 2019 and what could come in 2020.

The Arizona Cardinals have an important offseason and the wide receiver position is one of particular concern. Let’s take a look at the offseason outlook for the position.

2019 review

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Cardinals drafted three receivers in 2019 — Andy Isabella in the second round, Hakeem Butler in the fourth round and KeeSean Johnson in the seventh round.

They added Damiere Byrd and Kevin White, and later they signed Michael Crabtree before the season.

Larry Fitzgerald led the way. He had 75 catches for 804 yards, moving into second place all-time for career receptions.

Christian began to emerge as a top receiver but an ankle injury sidelined him three games and he played with ankle soreness the rest of the season. He had two 100-yard games and began to draw opponents’ top cornerback regularly. He finished with 68 receptions for 709 yards.

The veterans they signed in White and Crabtree flopped. White was cut before the season and Crabtree was cut after two weeks.

However, Byrd became a surprising contributor. He had a career-high 32 receptions for 359 yards.

The rookies, though, disappointed. Isabella struggled to get on the field and finished the season with only nine catches. Butler spent the year on injured reserve and Johnson, after impressing in the preseason, went from being a starter to being a healthy scratch the final five games of the season.

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