The Cardinals’ 2023 season was a roller coaster. Due to injury, franchise quarterback Kyler Murray was out for the first nine games. This caused a bump in the road for first-year head coach Jonathan Gannon. Despite going 4-13, the Arizona Cardinals playoff dreams are not far off.
Although, records don’t always tell the full story. Fans and outsiders can look at the record and see that the Cardinals probably were a disastrous team. Nonetheless, the Cardinals have a lot to build off of and have a foundation that just requires a couple of minor tweaks that can lead them into playoff contention.
Minor Tweaks
Apart from the minor tweaks that the Cardinals need to make, which will include getting Murray some help at the Wide Receiver position. Since 2020, when Larry Fitzgerald decided to stop playing despite not making a retirement announcement there has been a gaping hole at wide receiver. Although trading for DeAndre Hopkins in 2020 who played a key role in helping the Cardinals make a playoff game, helped a little. Shortly after that for the next two years, the production declined slowly. Entering 2024, the Cardinals need a second receiver to help out Hollywood Brown.
Another position that needs some upgrades this offseason is the Offensive Line. After successfully hitting on last year’s first-round pick Paris Johnson Jr, they could still to build up the O-Line..
These tweaks can be solved in the draft. The Cardinals currently hold the No. 4 and No. 27 picks in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Arizona has a tough choice with the fourth pick as they will have to decide between Joe Alt or Malik Nabers. Alt is by far, one of the best offensive linemen in this year’s NFL draft. Nabers is arguably a top-two receiver in the draft and can help change an offense around. From my perspective, the Cardinals should select Nabers and then draft Jordan Morgan if he’s still available at 27.
From Bottom to Top In One Year
We have seen teams transform from one of the worst in the league to an immediate playoff team. The last team to do it was the 2023 Houston Texans, who went 3-13-1, then drafted two stars in round one of the 2023 draft. They then went on to win their division and a playoff game.
With a full offseason that will allow Murray and Gannon to gain chemistry, a playoff push for the Arizona Cardinals may not be far-fetched.
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