The Arizona Cardinals are a team in flux. With a roster that has undergone significant changes, the team’s fantasy landscape is shifting, and managers are trying to figure out where the best value lies for their dynasty teams. For those in dynasty leagues, understanding the long-term outlook of key players is essential, and the Cardinals' roster presents several intriguing fantasy assets.
In this edition of the "Relevant Player" series, we’ll dive deep into three of the Cardinals' most important fantasy contributors: Kyler Murray, Trey McBride, and Marvin Harrison Jr. Each of these players has shown moments of brilliance and faces different challenges moving forward, making them critical pieces for fantasy managers to evaluate for both short- and long-term success.
Kyler Murray: The Quarterback with Elite Potential
When Kyler Murray entered the NFL as the first overall pick in the 2019 draft, his blend of athleticism and passing ability immediately drew attention. As a dual-threat quarterback with a strong arm and quick feet, he became an instant fantasy asset. He was a fantasy superstar during his first few years in the league, particularly because of his ability to produce big plays both through the air and on the ground.
2019-2021 Fantasy Production:
In his first three seasons, Murray finished as a top-10 fantasy quarterback every year, with his best finish being QB2 in 2020. His rushing ability has been a key factor in his fantasy success, and in 2021, he rushed for 423 yards and 5 touchdowns. This made him one of the most dangerous quarterbacks for fantasy owners, as rushing quarterbacks inherently have a higher fantasy ceiling due to the additional rushing yards and touchdowns they can contribute.
Additionally, Murray showed strong chemistry with wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, which helped boost his passing statistics. However, as the 2021 season progressed, Murray’s fantasy production began to dip due to injuries and inconsistency in the passing game. This was a significant setback for both him and the Cardinals, and many fantasy owners began to question his durability and consistency.
The 2024 Season:
Murray's 2024 ended up being one of his best to date. Although he led the Cardinals to an 8-9 record and no playoff appearance, Murray did throw for 3,851 yards --the second-highest total of his career-- 21 TDs and 11 INTs in 17 starts. His 572 rushing yards (to go with five TDs on the ground) ranked fourth among all QBs in 2024.
Moreover, Murray is heading into the second year of the five-year $230.5 million contract he signed before the 2022 NFL season, meaning he's unlikely to go anywhere or become a backup anytime soon.
To that end, Murray’s combination of elite rushing ability and top-tier passing skills makes him a potential dynasty asset worth holding onto. If he can improve upon a solid 2024, his ability to finish as a top-10 quarterback in fantasy football should remain intact.
Dynasty Value:
For dynasty managers, Murray presents an intriguing buy-low opportunity. If you can convince the manager who owns him that he's still a major injury risk, you may be able to acquire him at a discounted price. If so, you may be getting a franchise quarterback for the long haul. He's now fully healthy from his ACL tear two years ago and now has more offensive weapons at his disposal. Additionally, he will still have several years of productive fantasy seasons left in the tank. His age (currently 27) and elite skill set make him a strong asset for a dynasty squad, particularly in Superflex leagues.
Trey McBride: A Rising Star at Tight End
After being selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Trey McBride quickly emerged as one of the most intriguing tight end prospects in recent memory. McBride, who played his college ball at Colorado State, was highly regarded for his ability to make plays both as a blocker and as a receiver. He’s a well-rounded tight end with excellent size, solid athleticism, and an ability to create mismatches in the passing game.
2022 Rookie Season:
McBride didn’t have an immediate fantasy impact in his rookie season, as incumbent TE Zach Ertz remained the top option at tight end for the Cardinals. However, he showed flashes of his potential, particularly in the second half of the year when Ertz was sidelined with injury. In the final month of the season, McBride began to see more targets and was given more opportunities in the passing game.
Though he only posted 29 receptions for 265 yards and 1 touchdown in 2022, McBride's potential was clear. His ability to create separation and find soft spots in the defense, combined with his solid blocking, gives him a high ceiling moving forward. In a tight-end landscape where true difference-makers are rare, McBride has the tools to become a key contributor in both the NFL and fantasy leagues.
The 2024 Season:
Once 2024 hit, McBride's role in the Cardinals' offense continued to grow, culminating with his most impressive NFL season to date. After rookie sensation Brock Bowers, McBride paced the Cardinals in receptions (111), targets (147), and receiving yards (1,146) in the entire NFL. It's clear he has become the focal point of the Cardinals' offense, and after putting up numbers like this, should continue to be an offensive force for years to come. The Cardinals have a new coaching staff, and McBride will be a centerpiece of their revamped offense, particularly with Murray under center. As Murray’s most reliable target in the middle of the field, McBride now consistently sees a high volume of targets, especially in the red zone.
Additionally, the tight end position has become more valuable in fantasy leagues, and McBride’s blend of athleticism and opportunity makes him a highly desirable dynasty asset. If you’re looking to bolster your tight-end position for years to come, McBride represents an excellent option in dynasty formats.
Dynasty Value:
McBride’s potential as a long-term fantasy option makes him an exciting player to target in dynasty leagues. He’s still young (25 years old) and has become an elite NFL tight end. If you’re in a tight end-premium league or looking for a stud at the position, McBride is an asset you should consider acquiring. While he probably won't come cheap, a player with his combination of skills and role in the offense is something you can set and forget at the TE position.
Marvin Harrison Jr. - The 2nd Year Wideout With Massive Upside
2nd-year wideout Marvin Harrison Jr. was drafted fourth overall in the 2024 NFL draft. The son of NFL Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison, Jr. has showcased remarkable skill and potential during his time at Ohio State, where he emerged as one of the best wide receivers in the nation. Harrison’s blend of size, speed, and technical ability made him a household name while in college, and expectations were sky-high for him coming into the league in 2024.
2024 Fantasy Performance:
Since joining the Cardinals, Harrison had quite an interesting rookie year. He was the first non-quarterback selected in the draft and had his moments as a rookie, including four TD catches from Weeks 2-4 and two 100-yard performances. However, he ended up being a bit of a boom-or-bust option, as his final stat line for the year (62-885-8 on 116 targets) was considered somewhat underwhelming. Compared to teammate Trey McBride, Harrison was a distant second on the team in three major statistical categories but ended the year on a high note and has started to have good chemistry with QB Kyler Murray.
Overall, Harrison's fifth-place finish among first-year players in receiving yards behind the Jaguar's Brian Thomas (1,282), the Giant's Malik Nabers (1,204), the Raiders' Brock Bowers (1,194), and the Charger's Ladd McConkey (1,149) is a respectable showing and gives Harrison room to grow.
2025 Outlook and Beyond:
Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, Harrison's role in the Arizona offense should continue to grow as he develops more chemistry with Murray. Assuming he stays healthy, he should have many 1,000-receiving-yard seasons in his future, and at just 22 years old, is poised to be a solid to above-average dynasty asset for years to come.
One interesting thing about Harrison is now would be a good time to attempt to buy low on him, as the manager who owns him could look at his rookie season and think it was somewhat of a bust compared to the hype and where he was drafted in most rookie drafts last year. If this is the case, Harrison should be an immediate target for your dynasty team, as he possesses both star-level upside to go along with a growing role in his team's offense. Try to acquire wherever you can.
The Arizona Cardinals are coming off a solid season even though they didn't make the playoffs. The future of their offense is bright and should provide at least three solid to above-average dynasty assets at the position for years to come. QB Kyler Murray, TE Trey McBride, and WR Marvin Harrison Jr. should all continue to grow and contribute together for at least the next three years, and they provide those dynasty managers with potentially elite assets in those respective positions. Don't be afraid to try to acquire all three players if you can, and if you already have them on your team, only sell if you get an offer you can't refuse.
