Arizona Cardinals: What Would Make 2024 A Success?

The 2023 season was a rebuilding one for the Arizona Cardinals. General manager Monti Ossenfort laid down critical building blocks that will hopefully lead to future success. A positive 2024 campaign would mean the Cardinals flashed progress.

It was their first season under new head coach Jonathan Gannon, who replaced Kliff Kingsbury last offseason. Gannon understood the difficult assignment ahead. At times, the Cardinals outperformed expectations despite finishing 4-13. They claimed wins over three playoff teams, the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, and Pittsburgh Steelers. Five of their losses were by one score or less.

Starting quarterback Kyler Murray didn't return from a 2022 torn ACL until Week 10. Murray completed 65.7% of his passing attempts while throwing for 1,799 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions in eight games. He proved he's still a franchise quarterback.

This offseason has been a positive one. The Cardinals have done a good job surrounding Murray with more weapons in the passing game. Ossenfort entered the 2024 NFL Draft with seven picks in the top 100. Ossenfort utilized his premium fourth overall selection on generational prospect Marvin Harrison Jr.

Harrison Jr. will be the true No. 1 wideout Murray has never had, and he joins an ascending pass-catching group that also has Trey McBride and Michael Wilson. McBride led the entire offense in receiving yards with 825 last season. Wilson flashed potential by recording 38 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns. Tight end Tip Reiman was drafted in the third round, and veteran depth wideout Chris Moore was signed in free agency.

The offensive line should be better as well. Paris Johnson Jr. is moving to his more natural position at left tackle. Jonah Williams was signed earlier this offseason to solidify right tackle. Third-round rookie Isaiah Adams is a versatile blocker who should start at one of the guard spots.

Aging running back James Conner was effective last season, rushing for 1,040 yards. Conner is entering the final year of his contract and the Cardinals may have drafted his successor. Former Florida State ball-carrier Trey Benson was Arizona's 66th selection. Expect a more dynamic rushing attack in 2024.

Ossenfort didn't neglect the defense, either. Reinforcements were desperately required. The Cardinals allowed a dead-last 143.2 rushing yards per game last season. They also recorded a 30th-ranked 33 sacks, which will pain the defensive-minded Gannon, who once coached an Eagles defense that accumulated a historic 70 sacks.

Missouri defensive end Darius Robinson was Ossenfort's other first-round pick. A big-bodied three-down defender, Robinson should help as a run defender and pass rusher. Zaven Collins and BJ Ojulari are expected to take steps forward as pass rushers. Defensive tackle Justin Jones was added to fortify the interior.

Three secondary players were added via pick Nos. 43 (Max Melton), 90 (Elijah Jones), and 104 (Dadrion Taylor-Demerson). The Cardinals also signed Sean Murphy-Bunting, who played with the Titans last year. Budda Baker is one of the best safeties in the league, and Garrett Williams is an ascending talent. Depth isn’t an issue on the back end.

The Cardinals aren't expected to contend for the division title in 2024, and that's OK. They're probably still the fourth-best team in the NFC West behind the defending conference champion San Francisco 49ers and playoff-hopefuls Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams. The Cardinals simply have to prove that they're on the right track.