2023 NFL Team Offseason Roundup: Arizona Cardinals

It’s time to look ahead to the 2023 NFL season! Follow along with all our fantasy football team offseason roundups here.

It’s been a very busy NFL offseason, with free agent signings, coaching changes and several new players entering the league via the NFL Draft. As we prepare for the 2023 fantasy football season, it’s critical to have a full understanding of each team’s offseason moves. Our NFL team roundup series today covers the Arizona Cardinals. 

2023 NFL Team Roundup: Arizona Cardinals

2022 Results

Record: 4-13, 4th in the NFC West
Season End: Lost 38-13 to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 18

Arizona Cardinals Offseason Summary

Draft

1.6:  Paris Johnson, OT, Ohio State
2.41: BJ Ojulari, Edge, LSU
3.72: Garrett Williams, CB, Syracuse
3.94:  Michael Wilson, WR, Stanford
4.122: Jon Gaines, OL, UCLA
5.139: Clayton Tune, QB, Houston
5.168: Owen Pappoe, LB, Auburn
6.180: Kei’Trel Clark, CB, Louisville
6.213: Dante Stills, DE, West Virginia

Paris Johnson, OT (1.6)

A series of draft-day moves took Arizona from No. 3 to No. 6, where they selected the uber-athletic offensive tackle Paris Johnson from Ohio State. He played tackle and guard in college and will serve as a foundation piece for this offensive line 

BJ Ojulari, Edge (2.41)

Cardinals added the talented edge rusher from LSU to a defense in desperate need of creating pressure.  

Michael Wilson, WR, (3.94)

The release of DeAndre Hopkins leaves a void on the offense, especially with big receivers. At 6-foot-2, Wilson fits that role as a Round 3 selection with huge upside. Wilson suffered a broken collarbone that ended his senior season but starred in the Senior Bowl to raise his draft stock. 

Clayton Tune, QB, (5.139)

A productive quarterback for the Houston Cougars, Tune gives the Cardinals another signal-caller as Kyler Murray rehabs. He certainly doesn’t lack for confidence and has 4.64 40-yard speed. 

Additions

Free agent signings: QB David Blough, QB Jeff Driskel, WR Zach Pascal, OG Dennis Daley, OL Hjalte Froholdt, EDGE L.J. Collier, DL Kevin Strong, DL Carlos Watkins, LB Kyzir White, CB Kris Boyd, CB Rashad Fenton, P Matt Haack
Trades: None

Jonathan Gannon,  head coach

Jonathan Gannon comes over from Philadelphia after serving two seasons as their defensive coordinator. He spent the prior seven seasons as a defensive back coach for both the Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings. Under Gannon, the Eagles boasted a top-10 defense in each of the past two seasons, ranking second in total defense in 2022 (301.5 ypg) and 10th in 2021 (328.8 ypg). The Eagles led the NFL with a single-season franchise-record 70 sacks, the most by any team in the regular season since the 1989 Minnesota Vikings (71). 

Kyzir White, LB

Gannon brings over a familiar face from Philadelphia in linebacker Kyzir White. The 27-year-old veteran recorded 110 combined tackles last season and 144 the prior season with the Chargers. 

Krys Barnes, LB

Barnes was the third linebacker the Cardinals signed in the offseason, but he could be the key to allowing Isaiah Simmons to play more slot corner. Barnes played well for Green Bay over his three NFL seasons but was limited to six games last year due to an ankle injury.  

Departures

QB Trace McSorley, RB Darrel Williams, WR Chosen Anderson, WR Pharoh Cooper, WR A.J. Green, TE Maxx Williams, OG Cody Ford, OG Max Garcia, OG Justin Pugh, C Sean Harlow, C Rodney Hudson, C Billy Price, Edge Markus Golden, DE J.J. Watt, DL Zach Allen, DL Michael Dogbe, DL Trysten Hill, LB Kamu Grugier-Hill, LB Ben Niemann, LB Tanner Vallejo, LB Nick Vigil, CB Byron Murphy, LS Aaron Brewer, P Andy Lee

J.J. Watt,  DE

The future Hall-of-Famer returned to post 12.5 sacks in 16 games for the Cardinals. Watt’s retirement and the departure below combine to leave a big void on the Arizona pass rush. 

Zach Allen,  DE

Allen’s fourth NFL season was his best, recording 5.5 sacks in 13 games with the Cardinals. He signed with Denver in the offseason, which combines with the retirement of J.J. Watt to leave a huge hole on the Arizona defensive line. 

Byron Murphy,  CB

Murphy signed a two-year, $22 million contract with Minnesota. He was ranked as one of the five top cornerback free agents available. 

Arizona Cardinals Fantasy Outlook

The three most interesting Cardinals  fantasy options:

James Conner, RB

While most fantasy players struggle to find excitement for James Conner, he is set for another huge workload. He suffered through a rib injury last season that cost him four games, but he saw a 91% or better snap share in Weeks 10-16. With just Keaontay Ingram and Corey Clement behind him on the depth chart, Conner’s opportunity share is safe, even in the Arizona offense struggles. 

Marquise Brown, WR

The release of All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins cements Marquise Brown as the clear WR1. He lost five games to a foot fracture, which coincided with Hopkins’ return from suspension. Prior to his injury, Brown posted three straight weeks of WR3, WR11 and WR10 production. However, those games were with Kyler Murray, who realistically won’t return to the middle of the season. Can Brown still produce with quarterback uncertainty?

Rondale Moore, WR

A hamstring and groin strain sandwiched eight games where Moore played a ton but struggled to produce. He did see eight or more targets in four games, including 10 or more targets in two consecutive games. Moore brings 4.37 speed and elite burst, which always supports big-play potential. It’s possible Moore is the biggest beneficiary of a more conservative game plan without Murray. 

2023 Outlook

DraftKings Sportsbook Wins Over/Under: 4.5 (+100)

The Cardinals appear destined for last place in the NFC West. They finished last season with  just four wins, one fewer than a Rams team decimated by injuries to Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp. The 49ers are one of the Super Bowl favorites, while the Seahawks are poised to make a deep playoff run as well. Arizona’s hopes rest on the health of Kyler Murray, who could be shut down for the entire year if the Cardinals are eliminated before he can even play. It’s difficult to see a path to success for the Cardinals under a first-year head coach in Gannon. Their seasonal win total has a likely ceiling of five to six games, even if Murray returns sooner than expected.