The Cardinals are 1-5 after Sunday’s loss to the Rams, and the roster holes are becoming more glaring.
We lead off the mailbag with an interesting question from two different readers. Can this ship be turned around by 2024?
“How far away are the Cardinals away from competing? There seem to be so many holes in the roster.” – Zach RF
“Do you think with the amount of picks we have next draft, esp 2 first rounders, we can get what we need to be competitive? I’m all aboard the tank train à la Kelly Clarkson what doesn’t kill us now will only make us stronger.” – AZCards Andrea
Kyle Odegard: As bad as it looks right now, I do think competitiveness in 2024 is a reasonable goal.
First and foremost, the quarterback plays an outsized role in a team’s fortunes, and the return of a healthy Kyler Murray is a significant lift for next season. And then are the aforementioned two first-rounders, which should conceivably net a pair of starters, like Paris Johnson this year.
While Day 2 picks are tougher to gauge, especially as rookies, having four shots at it means at least one or two should conceivably hit. We also have to consider the cap space that’s available.
The Cardinals don’t necessarily want to go through a multi-year rebuild when the franchise quarterback is in place, so my belief is that Monti Ossenfort will be aggressive in addressing spots like cornerback and edge rusher.
I know the roster needs a lot of help, and I don’t think Ossenfort is going to sign 30-year-olds in free agency, which makes the talent pool smaller, but between Murray, the draft and free agency, this group should be significantly better in 2024.
Enough to make the NFL playoffs? Probably not… but maybe.
“Assuming Kyler is “Asset #1” right at this time, can you see that he’d be put back out there w clear concerns at LG & LT? Full board scrambling doesn’t seem like it would benefit recovery. Do you see us looking for better OL options Prior to K1’s return & what does it say if not?” – Nettles 11
KO: Even the best-protected quarterbacks are going to be under pressure throughout games. I agree that Elijah Wilkinson and D.J. Humphries have struggled this season, but it hasn’t been totally open season on Joshua Dobbs. Overall, the offensive line has been about average in my eyes.
Protection might be one of the numerous factors the Cardinals consider as Murray nears his return, but no, it won’t stop them from playing him.
As far as upgrades, maybe Dennis Daley usurps Wilkinson at guard, but I don’t think Humphries is going anywhere. There is no one better on the bench and making a trade wouldn’t be smart because it would cost a future asset.
“If this team drafts another wr is michael wilson suddenly less important/ valuable to us ? I feel he does have wr 1 skill” – Charles Mendoza
KO: I think Mike Wilson is already implanting himself as a key cog. He leads the NFL in yards per target and should be locked into an outside receiver role for the foreseeable future.
If Hollywood Brown re-signs and the Cardinals add someone like Marvin Harrison, Jr. in the draft, then of course his role will be diminished, but if he continues on this trajectory I think the Cardinals will feel comfortable having Wilson as a No. 2 wideout at worst.
“How realistic is a potential trade of K1 and fully embrace the tank? Is the new leadership really committed to Kyler?” – The One NFL Fan
KO: The tank was this year. If they did trade Kyler, it would be embracing it for another season, but I don’t really follow the logic on such a move.
I think a trade is completely unrealistic unless they finish with the No. 1 overall pick and prefer Caleb Williams.
“Thoughts on moving Zaven back to inside linebacker? Aware that you’ve discussed him not being too effective on the edge rushing the passer last week.” – MonsterDemo2
KO: Yeah, Collins can be an outside linebacker who helps set the edge against the run and covers well enough in space, but he doesn’t have the pass-rush repertoire to get after the quarterback.
That’s a distinct lack of upside for an athlete who was taken in the first round. Maybe they let Collins finish the year out on the edge to see if he improves, but it’s not looking promising.
I could definitely see a move back to inside linebacker or a trade this offseason. It’s a very similar path to the one taken by Isaiah Simmons, and we all know how that turned out.
“Why didn’t the Cardinals start Paris at LT all season? What percentage of ays does Dobbs take the snap under center versus shotgun?” – Dan Lorti
KO: Humphries has been a solid left tackle for quite awhile, so keeping him there was understandable, but the drop-off has been noticeable this year. It will be interesting to see if Johnson moves over to the left side next year or if the Cardinals try to squeeze one more year out of Humphries.
He’s not playing well, but offensive tackles don’t exactly grow on trees.
“Odds of moving Dj, Ertz and Wilson?” – Jay Young
KO: I think the Cardinals would definitely eat salary to move Ertz, and possibly Humphries depending on the return. It just depends if there is a market. Marco Wilson is cheap next year so I think he stays, just not as the No. 1 cornerback like this season.
“What is the likelihood the team trades (or at least tries to) away players with value at the deadline?” – Zeze
KO: Similar question as the one prior, but yeah, anyone they aren’t married to for the future will absolutely be available. Ertz is a no-brainer, maybe a guy like Kelvin Beachum if a team is desperate for a tackle.
Monti Ossenfort is going to put a big ‘For Sale’ sign up heading into the deadline, but beyond Hollywood Brown, there aren’t a bunch of attractive pieces.
“Do you see the cardinals making any trades for players? Ones that they believe would be an assets for 2024 season” – Joel Valenz
KO: Not this year. It doesn’t make sense to add a player at this point by trading away draft capital and taking on salary. The moves for 2024 will be made in the offseason.
“Who would you move by trade deadline on our current roster” – Prabhu
KO: Lots of trade deadline questions! I’d love to move Ertz and while Cardinals fans may not want to hear this, I’d deal James Conner because he has a substantial base salary that would go to the new team.
He’s been good this season but has an $8.5 million cap hit in 2024. You can find another good running back for less than that.
“What happened to Kei’trel Clark after starting so well?” – Bulging Twine
KO: Probably just regression to the mean. Putting a sixth-round pick on Cooper Kupp one-on-one continually is not going to turn out well.
He’s had some bright moments but it figured to be a bumpy rookie season. The hope is that he can be a serviceable cornerback in the coming years, though that’s far from guaranteed.
“Why are we getting killed in the second half of games.” – Jax
KO: As backward as this sounds, I think it’s actually a testament to the coaching staff. The Cardinals come up with solid game-plans each week and keep things interesting, but once opponents adjust, the talent gulf is apparent.
Like last week, Arizona did a great job against the pass in the first half so the Rams decided to run the ball down their throats. It’s hard to stop both when there are so few quality players on the field.
“Are the Cardinals physical incapable to play the 2nd half like they play their first halfs? Or is it just injuries? I mean, the Rams run killed us in 2nd half, the Giants killed us in 2nd half…” – Lesley
KO: The Giants game stands out as the biggest missed opportunity, because that’s a team that does not have a decided talent advantage. But for anyone worried about this being a theme long-term, I wouldn’t fret it.
The Cardinals will be better in second halves when they have more playmakers on the field.
“how can i stop being a loser and become a different person altogether” – juveholics
KO: I don’t know if you were just goofing around with this question but it still made me sad, so I’m going to give my earnest advice: don’t compare yourself to others, especially the polished images everyone portrays on social media.
I promise you are not a loser. We all have problems we are dealing with on a daily basis. Find hobbies, activities and interests that bring you joy and pursue those, and don’t worry about what other people think.
