The Touchback is launching a preview series for fantasy football this season. Today, we’re providing you with the Arizona Cardinals 2020 Fantasy Football Overview. Click here to read our other previews.
The Arizona Cardinals pulled off the heist of the offseason when they traded David Johnson and draft picks for DeAndre Hopkins. The expectations for this offense are higher now under second year head coach Kliff Kingsbury. Meanwhile, 2019 Offensive Rookie of the Year Kyler Murray looks to add to his resume after a productive first season. Kenyan Drake is being drafted as an RB1 because many feel he will have a breakout season. As a team, the Cardinals look to improve their offensive efficiency after finishing in the middle of the pack last season.
On paper, this team has some great young players. But they will have to capitalize on opportunities if they want to take that next step. Arizona was one of the worst red zone scoring teams in the league last season. While Hopkins can help improve that, ultimately it will be up to Kliff Kingsbury to figure out how to effectively score when the Cardinals should be scoring. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some fantasy prospects and how they will fare this season.
Related: What Seahawks players do you need to know for fantasy football in 2020
Arizona 2020 Fantasy Football Overview: Players to watch
Stud – DeAndre Hopkins
For someone who has consistently been a top option at wide receiver, Hopkins sure has flown under the radar lately. In the fantasy world, it’s easy to forget about someone who consistently puts up big numbers and focus on flashy names. Guys like Tyreek Hill and Chris Godwin are being ranked ahead of Hopkins. Sure, they have the speed and big play opportunity, but Hopkins commands targets and continues to be a dominant red zone threat.
In Kliff Kingsbury’s air raid offense, he should have a similar target share as he did in Houston. There are concerns surrounding the fact Hopkins didn’t have a chance to mesh with Kyler Murray this offseason because of COVID-19. However, Hopkins has thrived in his career despite having guys like Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett and Brandon Weeden throwing him the ball.
Murray looks to be a clear upgrade over these guys with his deep ball accuracy. Hopkins has also shown that he can create on his own, ranking 11th in YAC last year. With an aging Larry Fitzgerald, and injury prone Christian Kirk the team’s top returning pass catchers, Hopkins should have no problem scoring in this offense.
Dud – Christian Kirk
Right now, Christian Kirk’s ADP is 9.06 in PPR formats. It’s hard to gauge what he could do in a 16-game NFL season because of his injury history. He’s shown flashes of greatness and followed that up with inconsistent production. Kirk managed to snag 11 red zone receptions and had three touchdowns last season, but outside of that he was nothing special. Opposite Deandre Hopkins, he will have an opportunity to get more targets and improve on his yards per reception average.
It’s critical that Kirk builds a strong chemistry with Kyler Murray in their second year together if he wants to beat out Larry Fitzgerald for WR2 targets. Although the air raid offense traditionally favors receivers, the success of Kirk will depend on his ability to create separation and get looks down field. And with the next wide receiver in this article pegged as a breakout sleeper, it’s apparent that the pressure is on Kirk to deliver. I could not take him at his current ADP; however, I would draft him in round 10-12 for his upside.
Sleeper – Andy Isabella
As previously mentioned, Andy Isabella may be in line for more snaps this season. The second-year speedster comes in with massive upside if he can get on the field. With his 4.31-40 speed, Isabella has the big play potential of a guy like Tyreek Hill or DK Metcalf. Targets and receptions may be hard to come by with his role on the team, but he’ll make up for that with vertical routes downfield.
Isabella isn’t going to be the focal point of opposing defenses this year, meaning he can surprise some teams. Kliff Kingsbury’s air raid offense led the league in four-WR sets in 2019 which gives Isabella a chance to see a higher snap shares than he would typically get on another team. Fantasypros.com currently has Isabella ranked as WR 108 in PPR formats making him a good pick up in later rounds if you want a high-ceiling guy.
Arizona Cardinals 2020 Fantasy Football Overview: Final Thoughts
The Arizona Cardinals come into this season with some great options on offense. Keep in mind, they still have a questionable offensive line and Kyler Murray got sacked a ton in 2019. They play in one of the toughest decisions in football having to face guys like Aaron Donald, Nick Bosa and Bobby Wagner twice a year.
They are heading in the right direction and should improve with Kyler Murray more comfortable in the Kliff Kingsbury system. It’s easy to see the Cardinals involved in some 35-40-point shootouts, and it’s also easy to see games where that offensive line struggles to protect Murray. Understand there is going to be some volatility as you evaluate these players for the 2020 fantasy football season.
