3 Arizona Cardinals players who should see an expanded role in 2023
By Sion Fawkes
The Arizona Cardinals didn’t fare well in 2022. But there were a few players who played well enough to see a larger role in 2023.
While the Arizona Cardinals had a year to forget in 2022, a new general manager and a new coach are two steps in the right direction. But the Kliff Kingsbury-Steve Keim Era wasn’t all bad, since there are a few gems on the 2022 roster they produced poised to take over a larger role in 2023.
Below, you will find three names who can really get going this season after they put up respectable performances last fall. Two were rookies from Keim’s final draft class, and one name who, had he seen regular playing time all season, could have been one of the league’s most productive players.
1 – Trey McBride, TE
McBride was nonexistent early in the 2022 season. But when Zach Ertz went down with a torn ACL, the 2022 second-round pick emerged into the limelight. And he did this with four different quarterbacks, which speaks dividends to his ability to build chemistry with practically anyone.
Even if the 32-year-old Zach Ertz remains part of the Arizona Cardinals roster, look for McBride to take ample snaps away from the former All-Pro. In 2022, the rookie logged 29 catches, 265 yards, and a touchdown, all while appearing in just 53% of all offensive snaps.
2 – Greg Dortch, WR
Greg Dortch had 52 catches on 64 targets, and he would have had more had Kliff Kingsbury not benched him for 2021 second-round pick Rondale Moore. With a catch percentage of 81.3%, look for Dortch to return to the desert and pick up where he left off last season.
What’s more? Dortch saw time in just 45% of all offensive snaps. No, he’s not a three-down receiver. But he’s the type of player you rotate in regularly, and it will force defenses to account for him.
3 – Myjai Sanders, Edge/DE
Myjai Sanders played in 13 games last season and started just four contests. But he also recorded 23 combined tackles, three sacks, three tackles for loss, and five quarterback hits in limited playing time.
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Sanders also had a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and three pass deflections. With Markus Golden and Dennis Gardeck underperforming in 2022, look for Sanders to play in more than just 30% of all possible defensive snaps this season.
(Statistics provided by Pro-Football-Reference)
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