Last Year:

Record:7-8-1

Offense: 26.1 (6th)

Defense: 22.6 (14th)

Offseason: 

Key Acquisitions: LB. Karlos Dansby, K. Phil Dawson

Key Losses: G. Earl Watford, DE. Calias Campbell, LB. Kevin Minter

 Breakdown

Offense:

The Cardinals receiving corps as a whole took a big step back compared to their terrific 2015 season. Michael Floyd was the biggest disappointment as not only was his play not up to par but he was a problem off the field which ultimately led to him being cut. John Brown also was a disappointment after his breakout 1000 yard season in 2015 but his play was more so due to injury. It was discovered during the season that Brown had sickle-cell and if that was not enough it was also discovered that Brown was playing with a cyst on his spine which was properly removed during the offseason. He has since put on 13 pounds and reportedly feels healthy and is expected to return to his 2015 form or maybe even better. The one guy that did play up to par was future hall of famer Larry Fitzgerald who always delivers. He has settled into the last stage of his career nicely in the slot over the past few years and figures to be there again as he looks to continue to defy father time. JJ Nelson was relied on heavily with the issues plaguing both Floyd and Brown a year ago and failed to deliver at the level they did. He will get another opportunity this season to be a full time starter as he enters his third year and needs to make the most of it. The Cardinals have been lacking at the TE position for years and as they made no major moves to bring anyone new in they figure to do so again with Jermaine Gresham slated to start again. The only hope for them is that 2014 second round pick Troy Niklas finally starts to live up to his potential. Niklas missed all of last season due to injury and will be looking to breakout in a contract year.  The Cards are much better off at the running back position where they have three viable bodies led by David Johnson. Johnson was the most productive all-around back in the NFL last year accumulating over 2,100 yards from scrimmage and 20 total TDs. He singled handedly made up for some of the loss in production by Floyd and Brown by catching 80 balls as well. The offensive line is not great but it could be a middle of the pack unit. There is a lot of change happening with the Cardinals line as they are moving their 2015 first round pick DJ Humphries from RT to LT and moving veteran and former pro bowler Jared Veldheer from LT to RT. Veldheer has played LT all of his life but his play fell off significantly last season and now that he is 30 years of age the Cards are looking to go in a younger direction at the most important position on the line. This could be a good move if both Humphries proves to be ready and Veldheer’s play improves by playing a easier position. There will also be change at the RG spot as the team lost a good one in Watford. They are going to replace him from within with their fourth round selection in last year’s draft Evan Boehm. The two guys staying put are Mike Iupati at the other guard spot and AQ Shipley at center both of whom were solid a year ago. The biggest question mark for the entire offense will be how much does the 37 year old Carson Palmer have in the tank? After an MVP caliber season in 2015 his play dipped in 2016 and though still effective if it dips again in 2017 the Cardinals could be in real trouble as they are without a viable option to replace him on the roster.

Defense:

Defensively the Cardinals should be improved in 2017. They got hit by injuries last year and some guys just did not play as well as they are capable. The biggest loss of the offseason came on the defensive line where the team lost longtime Cardinal DE Calias Campbell in free agency. However, defensive line was a position where the Cardinals had depth and will look to replace him with their first round pick in last year’s draft Robert Nkemdiche who has all the natural talent in the world to be great. Rodney Gunter and Josh Mauro will compete for the starting spot at the other end spot. Mauro is significantly better against the run but Gunter has more natural talent and upside as a pass rusher which is why he is the early favorite to win the job. Peters is the best run defender of all the defensive lineman on the team and is a lock to start at nose tackle. On the edge Chandler Jones and Markus Golden are returning at the OLB spots. Jones did not disappoint in his first season with Arizona racking up 11 sacks and Golden was a breakout player racking up 12.5 sacks and was even better defending the run. Together they form one of the best 3-4 edge tandems in the game. The inside backer spots are not as defined. Deone Bucannon is currently on the pup list recovering from ankle surgery and who knows when he might be ready to play. They picked up former Cardinal veteran Karlos Dansby who is back for his second stint with the team. But he simply is not the player he once was and most likely will only be a solid starter at best. Their only hope for a true difference maker at this position is first round pick Haason Reddick who was one of the best linebackers in his class. The Secondary is where the Cardinals could have the most success if they have better luck with injury this year. At cornerback Arizona has one of the game’s best in Patrick Peterson. Justin Bethel is expected to be the other outside corner, he had a decent year but nothing special and will have to fend off Brandon Williams, who came over from the Ravens, for the job. What the Cardinals really need is for Tyrann Mathieu to return to form who moves from FS to slot corner in nickel packages. At his best he an elite defensive back that brings terrific man to man coverage ability in the slot and lights out instincts and pursuit skills at safety. They also have Tyvonn Branch who is another corner/safety hybrid who can fill in for Mathieu when they want to leave him at safety or play either safety spot. With so much versatility in the secondary the Cardinals are sure to have multiple safeties on the field at different times. In their base 3-4 sets the duo figures to be Antoine Bethea and Mathieu. Also look for second round pick Budda Baker to see the field as well as Branch to get some snaps at safety too. If Nkemdiche is a reliable replacement for Campbell, If Reddick has a strong rookie season, and if Mathieu can stay healthy and regain his 2015 form the Cardinals could easily be a top 10 defense like they were in 2015 but that is a lot of ifs.