Arizona Cardinals: Grading 2016 position by position

Jan 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jeremy Ross (16) catches a pass for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Jeremy Ross (16) catches a pass for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams in the second quarter during a NFL football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams in the second quarter during a NFL football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback

Starting quarterback Carson Palmer didn’t quite have the season he had in 2015.  He had indecisiveness at times.  He finished with 26 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.

After 35 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2015, clearly there was a little dropoff.  Now the big question is will he return in 2017?  It appears so far that answer is yes.

Backup quarterback Drew Stanton started one game in Palmer’s absence due to concussion.  It was against a struggling San Francisco 49ers team.

However Stanton didn’t look like the guy that was ready to take the place of Palmer once he retired.  Stanton again showed that in the finale against the Los Angeles Rams.  Too many off-target throws.

The Cardinals brought in Zac Dysert.  They signed him to the practice squad and then ultimately to the active roster.  He never played a down though.

While Palmer should be starter, look for Stanton to possibly depart.  The Cardinals are going to go looking for their future quarterback in the offseason.  That may come in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Who will be return in 2017?

Yes: Carson Palmer

Maybe: Drew Stanton, Zac Dysert

2016 grade: B

Schedule