Arizona Cardinals suddenly possess viable fantasy options
By Jim Koch
Several members of the Arizona Cardinals put up some fairly significant fantasy football numbers against the Detroit Lions
Getting a read on the Arizona Cardinals offense this past summer was a difficult task. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury openly admitted that he wasn’t going to show his hand until the regular season got underway. What fans got to witness was a watered-down version of what the Cardinals scoring attack will look like this season.
As a result, fantasy football players from around the country became wary of the Cards. Besides showing very little during the preseason, there was also the fact that Kingsbury had never run his “Air Raid” system in the NFL before. Which members of the squad, if any, would be worthy of a spot on a fantasy roster?
Any doubts about Arizona’s fantasy football viability were put to rest last Sunday against the Detroit Lions. Kingsbury unleashed an offensive barrage late in the game that made the league take notice. All of a sudden, fantasy owners are scrambling to add Cardinals to their teams.
Running back David Johnson, a former fantasy stud who’s stock has dropped in recent years, got back on track versus Detroit. The dual-threat performer rushed 18 times for 82 yards, averaging a healthy 4.6 yards per carry. Johnson contributed as a pass-catcher as well, hauling in six passes for 55 yards and a touchdown.
Future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald, who has shown no signs of slowing down, was also productive against the Lions. The 36-year old tallied eight receptions for 113 yards and a score. Fitzgerald was targeted a team-high 13 times, an indication that the Cards legend should remain a vital part of the play-calling in 2019.
Quarterback Kyler Murray was looking like a fantasy dud for three quarters of the club’s season-opener last weekend. But from the fourth quarter on, the young passer got it going in a big way. Murray finished the day with 308 passing yards, two touchdowns, 13 rushing yards and an interception.
One final fantasy option worth mentioning is placekicker Zane Gonzalez. The second-year Cardinal booted four field goals and an extra point on opening day. There should be many more scoring opportunities for Gonzalez in the coming weeks if Kingsbury’s offense lives up to it’s potential.