The Arizona Cardinals struggled in 2022 with a 4-13 record. They dealt with injuries and disappointing play.
They only had one Pro Bowler in safety Budda Baker and only three players had good seasons, really. Baker was good, defensive lineman J.J. Watt had 12.5 sacks and defensive lineman Zach Allen was disruptive.
Linebacker Isaiah Simmons filled the stat sheet as well.
However, Pro Football Focus ranked the top 101 players of the 2022 season and not a single Cardinals player made the list — not Baker, not Watt.
Players who would normally make this list like quarterback Kyler Murray, receiver DeAndre Hopkins and center Rodney Hudson all missed significant time. Four of Arizona’s five starting offensive linemen landed on injured reserve.
Baker, although impactful and highly respected by players and coaches, never gets much love from analytic sites like PFF.
It should be no real surprise that a team with the third-worst record in the league wouldn’t have the top players in the league.
With a new general manager and head coach, hopefully the play in 2023 is elevated and we can see Cardinals appear or return to this list next offseason.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
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