Team Profile
Arizona Cardinals
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8% 11thOff DVOA
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28% 10thPassing DVOA
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-3.2% 15thRushing DVOA
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2.2% 18thDef DVOA
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14% 24thDef Passing DVOA
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-12% 10thDef Rushing DVOA
2024 Team Stats
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Points For23.8 13th
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Points Against22.0 12th
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Yards Per Game346.0 11th
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Yards Allowed Per Game346.0 21st
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Clayton Tune is set to be the second string option behind Kyler Murray to start the season. This news was expected after quarterback Desmond Ridder was cut by the team earlier this week. Ridder was later signed to the practice squad, but it appears the Cardinals feel comfortable with Tune as the second option going forward. The fifth-round pick completed 12-of-21 passing attempts for zero touchdowns and two interceptions in seven appearances last season. If Murray goes down, it's tough to imagine Tune having any kind of fantasy value as the starter.
The New England Patriots released kicker Chad Ryland on Tuesday, according to a source. Ryland has officially lost the starting kicking competition in New England to Joey Slye and will now be looking for work elsewhere. The 24-year-old was the Patriots' starting kicker in 2023 after being drafted in the fourth round out of Maryland. He made just 64% of his 25 field-goal attempts in his rookie season while making 24 of his 25 extra-point tries for a bad offense. Ryland could end up rejoining the team's practice squad, but he's obviously not even close to being fantasy relevant. Slye, 28, made 79.2% of his 24 field-goal attempts for the Washington Commanders in 17 games last year, missing three of his 35 extra-point tries. Fantasy managers should avoid Slye in pretty much all formats in 2024.
The Arizona Cardinals released running back Michael Carter on Tuesday. Carter was clinging to a roster spot behind James Conner, Trey Benson, Emari Demercado, and DeeJay Dallas. Carter joined the Cardinals in the middle of the 2023 season and recorded 22 carries for 149 yards and no touchdowns in six games with the team. He was unlikely to factor into the offense in 2024 despite a solid preseason.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Xavier Weaver led the team with 56 receiving yards in Sunday's loss to the Denver Broncos. The undrafted rookie reached that mark on just two catches on four targets. Weaver gained 43 yards on his first reception of that game, tumbling to the ground in order to reel in the deep pass. The Colorado product also handled two kickoffs and two punt returns for a total of 81 yards. In the wake of Zay Jones's recent suspension, Weaver may have an easier time making the final roster on Tuesday. Managers in leagues that count return yards might want to keep an eye on how the Cardinals use Weaver should he make the team, otherwise he can be ignored in fantasy drafts.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Clayton Tune went 12-for-18 for 119 passing yards and an interception in Sunday's preseason loss to the Denver Broncos. Tune drew the start and was swapped out for Desmond Ridder at halftime. Unfortunately, Ridder was forced to exit with a head injury late in the fourth quarter, requiring Tune to resume signal-calling duties. On Tune's first play back, he gave up an interception that linebacker Levelle Bailey returned 94-yards for a touchdown. Assuming Tune makes the final roster on Tuesday, he will merely be Kyler Murray's backup and can be dismissed in fantasy drafts.