Youngsters may need to step up for the Arizona Cardinals next season
By Jim Koch
High-priced veteran additions have not led to wins, so the Arizona Cardinals may elect to roll with younger players in 2023.
At first glance, it seemed highly-plausible that a plethora of veteran additions would eventually lead to a Super Bowl title for the Arizona Cardinals. Players such as DeAndre Hopkins, J.J. Watt, Rodney Hudson, Zach Ertz and A.J. Green would provide the missing ingredients for the championship-hungry Redbirds.
Unfortunately, things haven’t worked out. The Cardinals are an ugly 5-16 in their last 21 regular-season contests. The team got to the playoffs last year, but the 34-11 defeat that they suffered at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams could best be described as humiliating.
In reality, all that the Cards have done over the past three offseasons is waste a whole bunch of money. Maybe it’s time for the organization to tear it all down, and roll with a roster full of younger, less-expensive individuals in 2023.
Arizona Cardinals may be better off with a younger roster going forward
This past Sunday, during Arizona’s 20-19 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, Trey McBride continued to flash the skills that a second-round draft pick should possess. The 23-year-old tight end is now coming into his own following a slow start, and there’s a decent possibility that McBride could replace the 32-year-old Ertz as a starter next fall.
Josh Jones, a third-round choice of the Cardinals back in 2020, could take over at right tackle for the 33-year-old Kelvin Beachum next season. The 25-year-old Jones took over for injured starter D.J. Humphries midway through the campaign, and has turned in a solid performance as quarterback Kyler Murray’s blindside protector.
One youngster who absolutely needs to be in the Cards’ plans going forward is Greg Dortch, the tiny wide receiver who has constantly produced for the squad when given the opportunity. The money that the club has been paying Green would be better spent on an up and comer like the 24-year-old Dortch.
On the defensive side of the ball, rookie edge-rushers Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders showed more than enough ability to warrant a boatload of playing time in ’23. It’s time for unproductive outside linebackers such as Markus Golden and Dennis Gardeck to pass the torch to the 22-year-old Thomas and the 24-year-old Sanders.
light. Related Story. 3 draft prospects who should top the Cardinals big board
Many of pro football’s franchises have built their rosters through the draft, and have added a select number of veteran pieces when needed. The time has come for the Cardinals to adopt a more sensible, and economical, approach to winning that elusive Vince Lombardi Trophy.
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