Individual Projections For Every Arizona Cardinals Starter In 2024

The Cardinals kick off their season on Sunday in Buffalo against the Bills. 

Optimism is high right now for Arizona, but it’s the same feeling for every team in the NFL heading into Week 1.

By the time the year wraps, some players will live up to expectations and others will fall short. 

With that in mind, I took a look at every Cardinals’ starter and gave my thoughts on how they will perform in 2024.

OFFENSE

QB Kyler Murray — Mega-talented player with full health and schematic help catapults back into the elite quarterback conversation

RB James Conner — Solid enough in his Arizona swan song, but a step back from the great 2023 showing

WR Marvin Harrison, Jr. — Freakishly talented and polished pass-catcher kicks off a dominant career with a head-turning rookie campaign

WR Greg Dortch — Quieter season than hoped as there aren’t enough targets to go around

LT Paris Johnson — Second-year leap has the ultra-athletic blindside protector flirting with a Pro Bowl

LG Evan Brown — Weak link on the offensive line loses his job midseason as left guard woes continue

C Hjalte Froholdt — Solid but unspectacular, which is just fine for a low-cost starter

RG Will Hernandez — Underrated standout has another great year after finishing 2023 in the top-15 of pass-block and run-block win rates among interior linemen

RT Jonah Williams — Average play with durability, which may seem underwhelming but gets the job done

TE Trey McBride — Plays second fiddle to Harrison, Jr. in the passing game, so numbers will finish lower than projected, but still a major piece

WR Michael Wilson — Secondary option who loses some playing time when Zay Jones returns from suspension

DEFENSE

OLB Zaven Collins — Does everything capably enough but still can’t consistently rush the passer

DE Justin Jones — Underwhelming season will have fans questioning his big free-agent contract

NT Roy Lopez — Value add based on his contract but won’t get the interior push this team desperately needs

DE Bilal Nichols — Career year gives the Cardinals one decent piece on the defensive line

OLB Dennis Gardeck — Speed rusher loses job to Xavier Thomas and returns to role as specialist

LB Kyzir White — Another big statistical season as the heartbeat of the defense

LB Mack Wilson — Versatility and blitzing ability makes this one of offseason’s best additions

CB Garrett Williams — Best cover corner on the team by a longshot 

S Budda Baker — Makes more plays than 2023, but due to advancing age and price tag, Cardinals move on after the season

S Jalen Thompson — Mr. Steady has another fine year patrolling center field, which earns him another extension this offseason

CB Sean Murphy-Bunting — Free agent overpay struggles in coverage, cedes playing time to Max Melton