Fantasy Football 2019 Team Previews: Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
Must Own
David Johnson, RB (ADP: 6): Johnson was a bit of a disappointment in 2018, failing to reach 1,000 rushing yards and averaging 3.6 yards per carry despite being the clear lead back for the Cardinals. He was also a far less impactful option in the passing game than his peak in 2016; Johnson lost 30 receptions and 443 receiving yards from his breakout. Yet, his ADP remains largely unaffected, and I’m on board.
There were a number of problems outside of Johnson’s control last year, the largest being a putrid and injured offensive line, and abysmal quarterback play. Coupled with a scheme that took one of the NFL’s most dynamic talents and used him as a battering ram to hurtle into masses of defensive players, Johnson suffered immensely. And despite those obstacles, Johnson still scored 10 touchdowns for his fantasy owners, making him more of a mild disappointment than an overt bust. This year, the Cardinals might have a big-time quarterback under center, and they’ve brought in a new coach whom many view as an offensive mastermind. Kliff Kingsbury is certainly exciting, and his Texas Tech teams scored by the truckload while he was there. He was also a sub-.500 coach in six years there, so time will tell. At minimum the Cardinals’ scheme should improve, and with the skill talent available, it’s easy to see Johnson returning to form as one of the top dual threat rushers in fantasy. There’s a clear quartet I’d draft in front of him – Saquon Barkley, Ezekiel Elliott, Christian McCaffery, Alvin Kamara, in some order – but Johnson is right there with that group with the ability to finish as the No. 1 RB.
Kyler Murray, QB (ADP: 102): Murray is the 11th QB off the board right now, and while that may seem risky as he’s never taken an NFL snap, his style of play is tailor made for fantasy football success. Murray was prolific as a passer at Oklahoma, and even though Big 12 defenses are basically a joke, you can’t see 4,361 yards and 42 touchdowns against just seven interceptions and not be impressed. Murray has a cannon, and he’s accurate.
He’s also small, listed at 5’10, 207 lbs., so naturally, durability is a concern. He’s also playing behind one of the NFL’s worst offensive lines from a year ago, which isn’t making the case for him staying upright. But if you cross your fingers and hope he’s smart about avoiding hits, his ability on the ground is what pushes him into must-own territory. As a junior Murray rushed 140 times for 1,001 yards and 12 touchdowns. And yes, he’s small, but he’s also unbelievably fast. If we take his word for it dude ran a 4.3 40-yard dash last time he was clocked.
If players like Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson can be above-average fantasy QBs based on their rushing skills, imagine what a guy like Murray can be with far superior passing talent and an offensive guru for a coach who salivated at the idea of coaching him. Murray is going to be a steal.
Fantasy Relevant
Christian Kirk, WR (ADP: 83): Kirk, the 33rd receiver off the board, is exciting now that Kingsbury and Murray have arrived. Kirk did have some chemistry in 2018 with Josh Rosen, averaging 13.7 yards per catch, but the offense was terribly limited and it was hard to showcase his playmaking. That will change in 2019 with the Cardinals spreading things out and getting playmakers like Kirk in space. Murray’s speed should allow him to extend plays as well, leaving opportunities for Kirk to capitalize downfield when things break down. I don’t see Kirk becoming an elite WR this year, or a WR1, but he might be a quality WR2 in the Sterling Shepard mold of a year ago.
Larry Fitzgerald, WR (ADP: 103): Fitz, an ageless marvel, is going 20 picks after Kirk, yet he may be the greater value of the two. After three consecutive seasons of 107-109 receptions, he only caught 69 balls for 734 yards in 2018. His six touchdowns remained constant, but he was tough to play in a given week when owners couldn’t count on the stream of targets and receptions. Things should improve for him with Murray here, but how much of that regression was Arizona’s dreadful scheme and line, and how much was physical erosion of a 35-year-old pass catcher? I can’t sit here and say Fitz is done, but we’d be foolish to not admit that age may have played a fairly large role. Fitz may well get back to being a PPR darling, but he doesn’t have big play potential anymore, he has a fairly low ceiling, and a floor that’s lower than most people realize. He won’t be a bad pick at this ADP, but I’d be aiming for more upside.
Handcuff(s)
Chase Edmonds, RB (ADP: 255): If you insist on owning Johnson’s handcuff, Edmonds is the guy. But don’t bother handcuffing Johnson.
Deep Sleepers
Andy Isabella, WR (ADP: 205): Isabella is wayyyy off the radar, and for good reason. This is a team with a rookie quarterback, a rookie head coach without a winning record in college, and an offensive line that was abysmal last season. But look at Isabella’s college track record and tell me you aren’t impressed. Last season Isabella hauled in 102 passes for 1,698 yards and 13 touchdowns for UMass, following up a 1,020-yard, 10-touchdown campaign.
Isabella’s size is an issue, but he has the look of a shifty slot receiver who can bail out Murray on third downs, or keep the chains moving on any down. Isabella is a bit of a niche option, but if you are in very deep leagues, or a PPR dynasty league perhaps, Isabella could wind up being a sneaky good option.