2024 Arizona Cardinals Projected Finish, Key Signings & Fantasy Stars
July 21, 2024
In the first of a 32-part series, we are featuring all National Football League teams with a prediction of where each team will finish within their division, key off-season acquisitions and their top fantasy stars. Here are the Arizona Cardinals.
Key Off-Season Acquisitions
The Cardinals made five significant additions to the roster in 2024. They were defensive tackle Justin Jones of Bronx, New York, right tackle Jonah Williams of Atlanta, Georgia, cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting of Macomb, Michigan, defensive end Bilal Nichols of Newark, New Jersey, and quarterback Desmond Ridder of Louisville, Kentucky.
Jones signed a three-year deal worth $31.165 million. He previously played four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers (2018 to 2021), and the last two seasons with the Chicago Bears (2022 and 2023). This past season Jones had 49 combined tackles (29 solo tackles and 20 assisted tackles), 10 tackles for a loss, 17 quarterback hits, 4.5 Â sacks and four pass deflections.
Williams signed a two-year contract worth $30 million. He played the last four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Murphy-Bunting signed a three-year contract worth $25.5 million. He previously played four seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2019 to 2022, and one season with the Tennessee Titans. In 2023 with the Titans, Murphy-Bunting had 57 combined tackles (42 solo tackles and 15 assisted tackles), three tackles for a loss, two interceptions for 12 yards, eight pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery for five yards.
Nichols signed a three-year contract worth $21 million. He previously played four seasons with the Chicago Bears from 2018 to 2021, and the last two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders. In 2023, Nichols had 48 combined tackles (25 solo tackles and 23 assisted tackles), four tackles for a loss, two quarterback hits, one pass deflection, one fumble recovery for eight yards and one touchdown, and one and a half sacks. The eight-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown came in a 20-14 Raiders upset win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day. One quarterback hit and half a sack came in a 21-17 Raiders win over the New England Patriots on October 15, and the other quarterback hit and one sack came in a 30-6 Raiders win over the New York Giants on November 5.
Ridder was traded from the Atlanta Falcons to the Cardinals for wide receiver Rondale Moore on March 14. Ridder, a native of Louisville, Kentucky, will be the backup quarterback this past season to Kyler Murray of Bedford, Texas. In 2023, Ridder completed 249 passes in 388 attempts for 2836 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He also had 53 rushes for 193 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.
Fantasy Star
The Falcons got a breakout season from tight end Trey McBride of Greeley, Colorado in 2023. He had 81 catches for 825 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The rapid development of McBride was the primary reason why the Cardinals waived three-time Pro Bowler Zach Ertz on November 30. Heading to the 2024 NFL season, McBride is ranked sixth among tight ends.
Projected Finish
There is no doubt the Cardinals need not only a healthy Kyler Murray, but a productive Kyler Murray too in 2025. He was out 11 months with a torn ACL from December of 2022 to November of 2023. The Cardinals do have some quarterback insurance in Ridder, but when you are making $46 million per season, it is safe to say, this is Murray’s team.
The Cardinals will battle the Seahawks for third place in the NFC West. The Cardinals offense should be better than 2023, but their defense is still weaker than Seattle’s. Expect a basement finish.
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