Team Profile
Arizona Cardinals
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8.4% 11thOff DVOA
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24.4% 13thPassing DVOA
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0.6% 9thRushing DVOA
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-0.6% 14thDef DVOA
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4.6% 15thDef Passing DVOA
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-7.3% 19thDef Rushing DVOA
2024 Team Stats
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Points For23.5 13th
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Points Against22.3 15th
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Yards Per Game358.0 11th
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Yards Allowed Per Game343.0 21st
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.
Arizona Cardinals rookie third-round tight end Tip Reiman has established himself as a potential No. 2 option at tight end for the Cardinals behind budding superstar Trey McBride. Reiman was mostly known for his blocking as an NFL draft prospect, but he has showcased his receiving skills during training camp and the preseason. His versatility will help him get on the field sooner than later in his rookie campaign. The 22-year-old can be ignored by fantasy managers in single-year leagues. The 6-foot-5, 271-pounder from Illinois will mostly be asked to do the dirty work as a blocker in his first year in the NFL. It's encouraging that he's shown some interesting pass-catching chops in camp, but don't expect Reiman to be much of a factor through the air in 2024.
Arizona Cardinals rookie third-round running back Trey Benson has improved each week during training camp and the preseason and is showing that he's slowly but surely adjusting to the NFL game. Benson might now start the season as the RB2 behind starter James Conner, but ESPN's Josh Weinfuss doesn't think it will take him long to ascend to that spot. The 22-year-old from Florida State carried the ball nine times for 43 yards in last weekend's preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts and has gotten extra reps in camp with Emari Demercado dealing with a shoulder injury. There were some injury concerns with Benson coming out of college, but if he manages to stay healthy in 2024, the full expectation is that he'll be Conner's direct backup sooner than later. In fantasy drafts, look to use a late-round flier on him if you choose Conner earlier on.