ESPN: Michael Floyd ‘most to prove’ player on Cardinals
May 23, 2016, 8:14 AM | Updated: 11:40 am
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) is greeted by wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) after Floyd scored a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
(AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
The Arizona Cardinals are in a small group of teams with realistic Super Bowl aspirations heading into 2016. Having one of the most talented rosters in the league, it’s nearly impossible to find an area of need among the players.
However, if one player does stand out as a guy with something to prove, it’s wide receiver Michael Floyd — at least according to ESPN writer Josh Weinfuss.
Entering the final year of his rookie contract, Floyd’s NFL career has had its fair share of ups and downs. The former Notre Dame wideout has only recorded one 1,000-yard campaign and has not scored more than six touchdowns in a season.
While those numbers might have something to do with the Cardinals having multiple offensive weapons and needing to share the ball, Floyd was drafted No. 13 overall in 2012 with the hope that he would one day be ‘the guy’ in the desert.
Floyd is heading into the option year of his rookie contract, and all that is on the line is a mega-deal as a team’s top wide receiver or a big extension from the Cardinals to continue being Robin to Larry Fitzgerald’s Batman. Floyd hasn’t had a 1,000-yard season since 2013, although a hand injury likely prevented him from hitting the mark last season. He went on a tear during the second half of last season, finishing with five 100-yard games in his final eight. — Josh Weinfuss
The 26-year-old played well despite being slowed by the hand injury in training camp and a hamstring injury that caused him to miss a Week 11 win over Cincinnati. Floyd’s five 100-yard games in 2015 were the most he’s had in a season.
Cardinals GM Steve Keim already has his hands full trying to work out a contract extension for safety Tyrann Mathieu, so the team might be taking the ‘wait and see’ approach with Floyd.
If Floyd continues to perform how he did at the end of last season, in addition to the possibility of Fitzgerald retiring after this year, he might be heading for a big pay day.
