NFL preseason report: Arizona Cardinals

This page will be regularly updated with news and analysis regarding the Cardinals’ skill position players throughout training camp and the preseason. ⬆︎ ⬇︎ Indicate which way a player’s fantasy value is trending and (R) denotes rookies.

The Cardinals enter 2018 with the #1 most difficult schedule according to Warren Sharp’s 2018 Football Preview.

Quarterback

The Cardinals passing offense will face the 5th toughest schedule.

Sam Bradford ⬇︎ -- Quarterbacking a rebuilding team against a brutal schedule. Pass.

Josh Rosen (R) ⬇︎ -- We don’t yet know when Rosen will take the field but it doesn’t matter. Rosen is only an option in dynasty leagues/the post-2018 era.

*Update 8/15/18: ⬇︎ Rosen had a rough outing against the Chargers last week, however, Seth Cox over at Revenge of the Birds points out that it wasn’t necessarily his fault. The O-line struggled and the receivers didn’t give him much to work with. It’s going to be a rough year in Arizona.

Running Back

The saving grace of Arizona’s 2018 season: A manageable slate of opposing run defenses, coming in at just 22nd most difficult.

David Johnson ⬆︎ -- DJ’s holdout is over. Rest assured, he’ll be in football shape. All systems go for the low-mileage former All-Pro.

*Update 8/2/18: The offense is reportedly working on their screen pass game, this will only benefit the 2016 winner of Pro Football Focus’s Best Receiver Award. Additionally, head coach Steve Wilks has been regularly lining DJ up out wide.

*Update 8/15/18: ⬆︎ DJ looked like the DJ we know and love against the Chargers last Saturday. Draft him with confidence.

Chase Edmonds (R) ⬆︎ -- One of the NFL’s premier handcuffs. Edmonds possess the size, athleticism, and all-around skillset to become a bellcow in today’s NFL. Should David Johnson get hurt, Edmonds would immediately vault into RB1-potential. Keeper/Dynasty leaguers need to monitor David Johnson’s contract situation closely.

*Update 8/2/18: With DJ apparently set to be a part time wide receiver, the No. 2 running back role may see an increased volume of touches. As mentioned above, Edmonds possesses a formidable all-around skill set. Putting the two of them on the field at the same time would be a quick way to frustrate opposing linebackers.

*Update 8/15/18: Edmonds is the future. The play he made to find the end zone after being stopped almost immediately at the line was incredible. Grab him in dynasty and draft him late in redraft in case of a DJ injury.

Wide Receiver

Larry Fitzgerald ⬆︎ -- “Life uhh finds a way.” Larry Fitzgerald is Life. The GOAT will do his thing this year, against all odds.

Christian Kirk (R) ⬇︎ -- Christian Kirk and Josh Rosen may one day be Kurt Warner & Larry Fitzgerald 2.0. But today is not that day.

J.J. Nelson ⬇︎ -- The Cards’ deep threat will be good for a couple big games this season but that’s it. He’s a weekly dice roll.

Brice Butler ⬇︎ -- Out of the frying pan and into the fire. Butler is finally out of Dallas and still loaded with potential but as we know, 2018 is going to be a rough year for the Cardinals’ offense. Hopefully he makes strides with Rosen in practice and they hit 2019 running.

*Update 8/2/18: Butler has earned the No. 2 role thus far. I’m still not optimistic that it will result in meaningful fantasy production but he’s full of talent and it’s possible he survives on volume.

*Update 8/15/18: Butler has played well and held onto the No. 2 WR spot thus far. Expect the budding playmaker to build on his strong preseason.

Trent Sherfield (R) ⬆︎ — The rookie UDFA has reportedly done a good job both in the classroom and on the field and has a real shot of making this roster.

Tight End

Ricky Seals-Jones ⬆︎ -- An athletic freak at the tight end position, Seals-Jones falls into a favorable situation with TE-lover Sammy Sleeves and Josh Rosen. Both will be needing safety blankets this year. Barring a suspension from last week’s restaurant bathroom situation, RSJ is a TE to target late in drafts.

Jermaine Gresham ⬇︎ -- Old and coming off a torn achilles in Week 17, Gresham starts the season on PUP. Look elsewhere for TE production. (It’s worth noting, Mr. Gresham is a wonderful human being.