2022 Projections: Arizona Cardinals

When we loosely compare players, most people feel they have a good idea of what kind of production to expect. We may think “Oh yeah, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith can both easily get 1,000 yards with Dallas Goedert also getting 800 plus.” But, there may just not be room for that kind of production. I make projections to ground myself and help to understand what is actually possible, probable, or realistic. So, in this series, I will be going through each NFL team and making median projections for their 2022 seasons with their most fantasy-relevant players. I may be able to discern if certain players are being undervalued immediately but in most cases, I will need to finish more teams to really get a good idea. 

First, I’ll just touch on my process. I start by looking at the team and individual player trends over the last two to three seasons. I get stats like target shares, rush attempt shares, yards per carry, yards per reception, completion percentage, touchdown shares, etc. As well as team-focused metrics like a pass-to-rush play ratio (this is team pass attempts divided by team rush attempts), pass-to-rush touchdown ratio, and plays per game. I then use these past trends to predict what will be in store for 2022. Here are my projections for the Arizona Cardinals’ fantasy-relevant players. 

Scoring: Full PPR, six-point passing touchdowns, .04 points per pass yard, 0.1 points per rush/rec yards. 

For the Cardinals I have their QB, Kyler Murray Projected to be an elite fantasy asset, as he normally is. 4,400 yards, 36 total TDs, and 500 rush yards set him up to drop 24.6 fantasy points per game and help dominate your opponents. I have Conner taking a large majority of the carries and earning 280 total touches. The backs behind him are not proven NFL players so I have them getting about 80 carries each which left a ton for Conner. Keaontay Ingram also is not much of a pass catcher so I could see Conner getting some decent work there but I would not be surprised if he lost some of this to Rondale Moore. Let’s not forget, that DeAndre Hopkins is suspended for six games by the NFL. So while his counting stats may look a little low, his PPG numbers are still at a low WR1 level. He could be a value in redraft leagues if he slips too far.

Marquise Brown finds success in his new home with his college QB and immediately steps in to be the WR1 in Hopkins’ absence. This helps boost his numbers early in the season but will be moved to the WR2 role once Hopkins returns. Marquise will still have spike weeks later in the year and be a usable WR2, but early in the season, he could easily average over 16 PPG. Rondale takes a small step forward and earns 200 more yards than in 2021, but is just a rotational piece at flex for fantasy lineups. I was very optimistic about him until the Cardinals traded for Hollywood, they clearly like Rondale in more of a gadget role than a legit team WR2. Zach Ertz was used pretty heavily down the stretch after he was traded to Arizona and I don’t expect that to change much at all. Look for him to be a low TE1 with TE6 overall upside.

I like the Cardinals’ offense for fantasy, they play fast, they throw a lot, and they score touchdowns. Kyler Murray is a top-six QB for 2022. James Conner could easily be a top-12 RB but should be found somewhere in the top 15. Keaontay Ingram and Eno Benjamin will just be role-players who are not usable unless there’s an injury, in which case I want Ingram as the handcuff. Hopkins could be a very good redraft pick depending on what his cost ends up being, he will be a top-15 WR when he returns to the field. Marquise Brown may end up being over-drafted due to the Hopkins suspension. The later weeks in fantasy are more important and Hollywood will see decreased consistency there. Rondale will be a nice bench asset that you can play in a pinch, and Zach Ertz is a guy I could see myself drafting a good bit of.

Wow, you read all the way through! Thank you, I really appreciate you using your time to enjoy my content. If you would like to talk to me about my article or ask me any generic dynasty or trade questions. You can find me on Twitter @ChrisMiles1017, DFF Draft Director. Shoot me a DM, they are always open. Come join the #DFFArmy where I provide #Dynasty, #Redraft, and #Analytics content for @DFF_Dynasty. Thank you so much!

Did you enjoy this article and want more Dynasty, Devy, IDP, and Redraft content? Click here for a 12-month DFF Membership.