The Arizona Cardinals have an important offseason and the wide receiver position is one of particular concern. Let’s take a look at the offseason outlook for the position.
2019 review
The Cardinals drafted three receivers in 2019 — Andy Isabella in the second round, Hakeem Butler in the fourth round and KeeSean Johnson in the seventh round.
They added Damiere Byrd and Kevin White, and later they signed Michael Crabtree before the season.
Larry Fitzgerald led the way. He had 75 catches for 804 yards, moving into second place all-time for career receptions.
Christian began to emerge as a top receiver but an ankle injury sidelined him three games and he played with ankle soreness the rest of the season. He had two 100-yard games and began to draw opponents’ top cornerback regularly. He finished with 68 receptions for 709 yards.
The veterans they signed in White and Crabtree flopped. White was cut before the season and Crabtree was cut after two weeks.
However, Byrd became a surprising contributor. He had a career-high 32 receptions for 359 yards.
The rookies, though, disappointed. Isabella struggled to get on the field and finished the season with only nine catches. Butler spent the year on injured reserve and Johnson, after impressing in the preseason, went from being a starter to being a healthy scratch the final five games of the season.
The roster
Here is what the roster looks like and their contract status.
- Hakeem Butler: signed through 2022
- Damiere Byrd: will be an unrestricted free agent
- Pharoh Cooper: will be an unrestricted free agent
- Larry Fitzgerald: re-signed through 2020
- Andy Isabella: signed through 2022
- KeeSean Johnson: signed through 2022
- Christian Kirk: signed through 2021
- Trent Sherfield: signed through 2020
- Johnnie Dixon: signed to a futures deal
- A.J. Richardson: signed to a futures deal
Offseason questions
One of the biggest offseason questions has already been answered. Larry Fitzgerald is returning for 2020, as he re-signed on a one-year deal worth up to $11.75 million.
However, many remain.
Will the rookies make big steps for 2020 and become reliable enough to play and produce regularly?
Will Kirk be able to be a true No. 1 receiver or will the Cardinals seek to find one in the draft or free agency?
Will they try to bring back any of their free agents?
Can the passing game take a big step in 2020?
Potential offseason moves
Fitzgerald is back. That is taken care of.
In free agency, the Cardinals probably won’t go and make a huge splash. It would be no surprise at all if the re-signed Cooper or Byrd, but it also wouldn’t be a surprise if they were allowed to move on. After all, Cooper should be replaced by Isabella.
But when it comes to the draft, there is a talented receiver class. Many believe the Cardinals will take a receiver with their first-round pick.
What was clear a year ago was that they needed better play from their receivers. Whether that comes with development of players already on the roster or in a veteran or a big-time rookie next year, it will be necessary for quarterback Kyler Murray’s development in the passing game.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
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