3 reasons why NFL experts should not sleep on the Cardinals in 2021
By Sion Fawkes
Arizona has a complete roster
Okay, many can scoff at the Cardinals and claim they’re still the “retirement home” of NFL stars. With J.J. Watt, Rodney Hudson, and A.J. Green joining the party this year, it only reinforces that fact.
However, Arizona really has a solid mix of older and younger players. Kyler Murray is not in the twilight of his career as Carson Palmer and Kurt Warner were once upon a time. Chase Edmonds is running the football, not Edgerrin James or Emmitt Smith.
Overall, this year’s team is not ancient, and Cardinals general manager Steve Keim went with experience when he filled most of the holes during free agency. That said, Arizona has solid starters in most positions next to tight end and cornerback.
They also have the right pieces on offense to fit head coach Kliff Kingsbury’s air-raid attack with Green and rookie Rondale Moore coming to town this year. Sure, it would be great to see Larry Fitzgerald back, as he remained one of the league’s most surehanded receivers in 2020 with a 75-percent catch percentage. Plus, Edmonds is also a surehanded target out of the backfield.
The Cardinals also have a dynamic pass rush on defense with Watt and Chandler Jones, the latter of whom appears poised to start Week 1. Add in Dennis Gardeck and Marcus Golden, and there is a solid rotation on the edge to supplement Watt, who will play defensive end.