There’s a lot of excitement around the Arizona Cardinals right now. After a stellar offseason, many fans are expecting the team to earn a playoff spot for the first time since 2021. General manager Monti Ossenfort has ushered in a youth movement that has transformed Arizona’s roster. Young stars like Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Garrett Williams are leading the charge into this new era.
But, according to one analyst, the Cardinals’ young core fails to match up with the rest of the NFL.
Zero Arizona Cardinals on PFF’s top young players list
In a recent article, PFF’s Jonathon Macri listed the top 25 NFL players under the age of 25. The top of the list was made up of the usual suspects: Penei Sewell, Puka Nacua, and Kyle Hamilton. A few members of the 2024 draft class made the list, including Jayden Daniels and Jared Verse.
Towards the bottom, players like Sam LaPorta and Cooper DeJean found their place.
Notably, not a single Arizona Cardinals player was listed.
Did any Cardinals deserve a spot?
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride immediately comes to mind as one of the top young players in the league. However, at 25 years old, McBride doesn’t qualify for this list.
Marvin Harrison Jr. is another obvious candidate. In his rookie year, Harrison Jr. posted a respectable, but somewhat disappointing stat line. Fellow sophomore receivers like Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas Jr., and Ladd McConkey were included in PFF’s list. At the end of the day, Marvin Harrison Jr.’s rookie season just doesn’t measure up.
The final, and perhaps most deserving Cardinals candidate is slot cornerback Garrett Williams. Williams had a breakout year in 2024, becoming one of the top slot cornerbacks in the NFL. He could arguably be listed above young stars like Sam LaPorta and Kerry Joseph. Still, it’s reasonable to leave him off the list.
Cardinals still have work to do
While one list shouldn’t be weighed too heavily, it does provide some insight into how the Cardinals measure up to their NFL opponents. Four NFC foes, the Lions, Eagles, Rams, and Falcons, each had at least two players make the list. The Cardinals must continue to add to their young core if they hope to be competitive in the NFC over the next decade. Hopefully, players like Marvin Harrison Jr., Walter Nolen, and Will Johnson can put their stamp on the 2025 season.