Players the Cardinals are counting on the most in 2022
The Arizona Cardinals are hoping to return to the postseason after breaking their six-year drought last season. Leading the way were Pro Bowlers Kyler Murray. Budda Baker and James Conner.
Entering this season, the Cardinals front office definitely has a handful of players they are counting on to perform at a high level. Of course, the team is hoping every player performs well, but with that in mind, who might they be counting on a bit more than the rest?
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
Latest show:
Previous shows:
and
QB Kyler Murray
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Every team needs a strong performance from their signal-caller. As the old saying goes, if you don’t have a quarterback, you have nothing.
Following a flurry of offseason drama surrounding Murray’s impending contract extension, the Cardinals are going to be counting on a huge year from their fourth-year quarterback.
They are likely weeks away from making Murray the highest-paid player in franchise history, and they will be counting on him to prove them and the team’s critics right for doing so. When healthy, Murray has been one of the league’s premier players at the position.
For the Cardinals to return to the postseason, Murray must lead them there.
WR Marquise Brown
The largest move of the offseason for the Cardinals was undoubtedly acquiring former Ravens star receiver Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown for the No. 23 overall pick of the 2022 draft.
Brown has seen his fair share of criticism since the move, as many Baltimore fans were unhappy with his desire to leave the team. On the flip side, many media outlets have criticized the Cardinals for sending a first-round pick for Brown, calling it an overpay by general manager Steve Keim.
The Cardinals’ front office will be counting on Brown to perform at a high level to prove them right. They’ve been searching for a consistent deep threat for the past three seasons and would love to finally have found that player.
The incoming suspension to wideout DeAndre Hopkins puts more pressure on Brown to perform at a high level right out of the gate. The Cardinals’ passing attack will be relying on Hollywood early and often.
CB Byron Murphy
(AP Photo/Scot Tucker)
Murphy is entering his fourth season with the team and was counted on as the team’s No. 1 cornerback last season. While he started his career primarily playing the slot corner role, he was tasked with playing outside more last season.
Entering a contract year, Murphy will be motivated to earn a contract extension with the Cardinals, which could come before the season.
While his play has improved, the Cardinals are looking for elite No. 1 cornerback play so they can reward their 2019 second-round selection. Murphy had a few key games that highlighted his potential last year, including limiting Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp to his worst game of the season in week four.
The Cardinals love to reward their homegrown talent with a second contract. They’d be thrilled to do so with Murphy.
ILB Zaven Collins
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Collins is an interesting story for the Cardinals.
His rookie season was spent on the bench for the most part, as he learned behind starting mike linebacker Jordan Hicks. With Hicks leaving the team for the Vikings, the defensive playcaller position likely falls to Collins. He has big shoes to fill as Hicks was a stout leader for the team for three seasons.
The Cardinals are counting on Collins to prove why he was the No. 15 overall selection just a year ago, particularly given his lack of playing time last season.
It’s one of the biggest question marks for the team entering training camp, as Collins essentially goes from no playing time to the defensive playcaller on the field. The second-year player from Tulsa did allude to being unsure if he is going to call the defense recently, which raises even more concerns for the Cards.
Collins has the support of his defensive teammates and will look to prove the doubters wrong this season.
1
1
