Arizona Cardinals DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. had a dud of a debut against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1. The fourth overall pick of the NFL draft had just one catch for four yards and wasn't targeted at all in the second half of that game. While the performance was alarming for fantasy managers who paid up to get the vaunted rookie near his ADP of 15, there is hope for improvement in Week 2. Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing admitted earlier this week that the team needs to prioritize getting the rookie more involved going forward. Harrison will again line up on the outside against a Rams secondary that allowed 121 receiving yards to Jameson Williams last Sunday. The former Buckeye can be started against the Rams with tempered expectations. He projects as a WR2 in Week 2.

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner put up 83 yards from scrimmage and found the end zone in Week 1 against the Buffalo Bills. He will look to do more of the same on Sunday in the Cardinals' home opener against the Los Angeles Rams. Fears that he might lose work to rookie Trey Benson were assuaged last week as Conner handled 16 of Arizona's 20 handoffs and was on the field for 67% of offensive snaps compared to Benson's 13% share. The Rams had one of the toughest run defenses in the league in 2023 but no longer have Aaron Donald anchoring their line. In Week 1, they gave up 131 yards and two touchdowns on the ground to the Lions. Conner should be locked into fantasy lineups this week and can be expected to put up another RB1 performance.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Xavier Weaver (oblique) is officially questionable ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. The undrafted rookie wideout is still looking to make his NFL debut, and he has a chance to do so this week after logging three straight limited practice sessions. Weaver performed well in Arizona's preseason finale, reeling in 2-of-4 targets for 56 yards. He also handled two punt and kickoff returns for an additional 81 yards. The Colorado product projects to have difficulty finding consistent playing time in the starting WR rotation behind Marvin Harrison Jr, Michael Wilson, and Greg Dortch -- even when healthy. However, he is someone to monitor regarding his usage on kick returns. If Weaver can gain consistency there, he could be helpful for fantasy managers. Otherwise, he can be safely avoided sans deep dynasty leagues.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said that the knee is not a concern for quarterback Kyler Murray (knee), calling him "all good" for the Week 2 contest against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. Murray found himself on the Cardinals' Week 2 injury report but has practiced in full all week and is not in any danger of missing this weekend's game. It's surely something to watch moving forward, though, especially for a QB like Murray who relies on his legs often. The 27-year-old was inconsistent in the Week 1 loss to the Buffalo Bills and wasn't on the same page with high-profile rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., connecting with him just once for four yards. Murray finished 21-for-31 passing for 162 yards and a touchdown and also had five carries for 57 yards with a lost fumble. He'll look to bounce back in Week 2, where he'll be a midrange QB1 play for fantasy managers.

Arizona Cardinals rookie first-round wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. saw only three targets and caught one of them for four yards in his NFL debut in the Week 1 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Head coach Jonathan Gannon said that Harrison attracted extra coverage from the Bills defense. "As a quarterback, obviously, you're going through your reads," quarterback Kyler Murray said. "Sometimes the ball goes to him, but that's not my job. I have a sense and a feel for guys when they don't get the ball and when they are getting the ball, but I leave that up to Drew. He tells me, 'Don't worry about that type of stuff. Just keep playing your game and get the ball to where the ball is supposed to go.'" Harrison's quiet day could have been a combination of all those things, and Murray mentioned himself he thinks he and Harrison will eventually get on the same page. Going into Week 2, treat Harrison as a high-end WR2 in fantasy.