Cardinals third option at WR ranked No. 27 in the league
Aug 5, 2018, 12:48 PM
Arizona Cardinals' J.J. Nelson (14) is chased by Indianapolis Colts' Kenny Moore during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
(AP Photo/AJ Mast)
With Larry Fitzgerald as the Arizona Cardinals’ clear-cut No. 1 option at wide receiver, the offense is hoping that multiple other players will emerge to give Fitzgerald some breathing room on the outside.
According to ESPN’s Mike Clay, the other options are not too impressive. Clay ranked the third-best wide receivers for all 32 NFL teams and the Cardinals’ J.J. Nelson came in at No. 27.
“Larry Fitzgerald is the team’s clear top receiver and 2018 second-round pick Christian Kirk is the early favorite for No. 2 duties. That leaves Nelson to compete with Brice Butler and Chad Williams for No. 3 duties,” Clay said.
Although no official word has come from the Cardinals as to who will be No. 2 or No. 3 on the WR depth chart, the point is clear: the Cardinals lack depth at wide receiver.
To make matters worse, Clay listed Brandin Cooks of the division-rival Los Angeles Rams as the best No. 3 WR option in the league.
Cooks joins the Rams incumbent wideouts, Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, after spending one season with the New England Patriots.
The newly acquired Brandon Marshall ranked No. 14 for the Seattle Seahawks, while Trent Taylor of the San Francisco 49ers came in one spot behind Nelson at No. 29.
