A new regime has taken over the Arizona Cardinals, and with that comes guaranteed change within the organization. With new head coach Jonathan Gannon and new general manager Monti Ossenfort taking over, Cardinals’ fans will get a glimpse of what the future holds for the organization. With only a few moves made in free agency, here is a pre-draft look at the opening-day starting squad.
Arizona Cardinals Projected Starters
Quarterback
Kyler Murray
A lot of unknowns are swirling around the starting quarterback situation at the moment. With Kyler Murray tearing his ACL against the New England Patriots in December and receiving surgery in early January, many speculate about his return to play. Ian Rappaport, the lead NFL insider for NFL Network, commented on this while on NFL GameDay Morning back in march. Saying, “My understanding is that he is going to take his time until this thing is 100% right,” Rappaport gave an extensive range of time for Murray’s return, but here is why that might all just be smoke and mirrors. Every training report, video posted, and comment from Murray himself shows he is ahead of schedule on his return.
A normal ACL tear recovery time is around eight months. Murray is looking like he has made leaps and bounds to stay on that track. Nothing is certain, but it looks like Murray is on track to lead the new Jonathan Gannon offense onto the field in 2023.
Kyler Murray looking good just six weeks post-surgery.
?: K1 Insta pic.twitter.com/qp6bZPUi0D
— Johnny Venerable (@JohnnyVenerable) February 14, 2023
Offensive Line
LT D.J. Humphries | LG Josh Jones | C Hjalte Froholdt | RG Will Hernandez | RT Kelvin Beachum
Many times named the largest need for the Arizona Cardinals, expect this list to change by week one. With the Cardinals cutting center Rodney Hudson, the group has many gaps to fill if they want to improve from the 11th-worst rushing attack in the league, posting only 1,873 yards on the ground and 4.3 yards per carry. Not only this but with an injured quarterback, they cannot be the ninth-worst team in sacks allowed once more. The offensive line is in need of a rebuild, so drafting a big name might be on the table for the Arizona Cardinals.
Kelvin Beachum and Will Hernandez were brought back in free agency, two important signings to keep this line afloat. For now, they only have one more year on contract for D.J. Humphries and after Justin Pughs expected retirement, the Arizona Cardinals are shifting and filling in names for the front five. With Josh Jones’ versatility, he will most likely bump to guard and allow Humphries to stay at tackle.
Hjalte Froholdt was signed to a two-year contract from Cleveland, most likely coming in with the recommendation of new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. Sure, to start, Froholdt will center the pieced-together Arizona Cardinals line, but don’t be surprised to see some changes made post-draft.
Running Back
James Connor
There isn’t much discussion over the starting running back position in Arizona. With little depth behind James Connor, the team must rely on the health of their number-one back. Connor has been a solid threat, both rushing and receiving, since coming to Arizona in 2021. He has shown the potential to improve but needs a stronger foundation in front of him to reach that level of production. Unless the Cardinals go big on a back come draft night, expect to see Connor in the backfield in week one.
Wide Reciever
DeAndre Hopkins| Marquise Brown | Rondale Moore
With a pretty solid group of pass catchers, the only question that lies is whether DeAndre Hopkins will be a Cardinal in 2023. With trade rumors swirling, the veteran and star receiver could very well be on his way out of Arizona. Yet again, this occurs with many big names each season and no progress has been made, according to most league insiders. We can pencil in DeAndre Hopkins’ name for now, but this group still has some firepower if he is gone.
With Marquise Brown and Rondale Moore set for another season with the Arizona Cardinals, they have two guys who can produce well as receivers in two and three roles. Moore will take most of the slot reps, while Brown will line up opposite DeAndre Hopkins. Fans shouldn’t expect much change here from 2022.
Tight End
Zach Ertz
Entering his second of a three-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals, the veteran tight end has sure up this group’s starting spot without a doubt. One of the most consistent tight ends throughout the past decade, the former three-time pro-bowler and SuperBowl champ adds the perfect combination of skill and knowledge to the Arizona Cardinals offense. Now, don’t be surprised to see him splitting reps with the quickly emerging Trey McBride who is sure to see a bump up in 2023. With that being said, Jonathan Gannon can’t yet justify giving McBride the week one start unless he shows some significant increase in route running ability during training camp.
Defensive Line
DE Jonathan Ledbetter | NT Leki Fotu | DT Rashard Lawrence | DE L.J. Collier
The position group with the most questions surrounding it in Arizona, the defensive front, could be put in many different ways. After the retirement of J.J. Watt and the departure of Zach Allen to the Denver Broncos, they will have to fill the need of losing the duo that combined for 18 of the team’s 36 sacks last season. Remaining consistent in the center, Leki Fotu and Rashard Lawrence will continue to be solid run-stoppers for the team. Only competing for snaps with new signing Carlos Watkins from the Dallas Cowboys, they aren’t under too much pressure to lose their starting jobs.
For Jonathan Ledbetter, expect the same, an edge with potential but he was lost in the mix with Watt and Allen ahead of him. The Arizona Cardinals did bring in former Seattle first-round pick L.J. Collier to bolster the front, but they are banking on a return to form for the veteran. Frankly, the group needs a lot of work, but there isn’t much in the depth chart to justify any changes on opening day.
Linebacker
Zaven Collins | Kyzir White
One of the few groups Arizona Cardinals fans can really be excited about, Zaven Collins and Kyzir White is set to be an electric pairing at the linebacker position. White, coming over to the Cardinals after a trip to the Super Bowl with the Eagles, is set to be a perfect fit alongside Collins. With two players who have elite coverage ability at the linebacker position, the groups will provide a ton of much-needed support to the Cardinals’ defense. With Collins coming off a career season in which he excelled in both coverage and against the run, there isn’t much to speculate about.
These two will be crucial all season long for Arizona as they will most likely shift to a 4-3 defensive look to take a load off of the weakened corner room with more responsibility from the linebacking core.
Defensive Backs
CB Antonio Hamilton Sr. | SS Budda Baker | FS Jalen Thompson| CB Marco Wilson/Rashad Fenton | NCB Isaiah Simmons
After losing star corner Byrom Murphy in free agency, the Arizona Cardinals elected not to add much in terms of star power to the corner room, something to look for come draft night. Electing to stick with the consistently solid group of Antonio Hamilton Sr., Marco Wilson, and Isaiah Simmons the corner room is in desperate need of some help. Rashad Fenton was brought in but will mainly compete for snaps with Marco Wilson in the CB2 role. Again, not a star. Unfortunately for the Arizona Cardinals, bringing in Lions’ backup Juju Hughes isn’t going to do much. Needing a lot more there, this corner room could yet again struggle in 2023.
For the safeties, on the other hand, Budda Baker has been a consistent star for the Cardinals. Providing support both against the run and the pass, Baker has been amongst the better safeties in the league for a few years running. Partnering with Jalen Thompson again, the two should be fun to watch in the deep third as they both have fluid hips and immense closing speed.