ESPN ranking: Cardinals’ roster among worst in the NFL

The Arizona Cardinals’ roster found itself near the bottom of the NFL in an ESPN ranking released Monday.

Taking into account Arizona’s projected starting lineup, X factors and key nonstarters, ESPN’s Mike Clay, Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder have the Cardinals tied with the Atlanta Falcons at 29th.

Only the Cleveland Browns (31st) and Miami Dolphins (32nd) ranked worse than Arizona.

One of the biggest reasons for the poor standing comes down to quarterback.

Biggest weakness: Quarterback. Kyler Murray is gone, leaving Jacoby Brissett as the probable Week 1 starter. The veteran racked up the counting stats in 12 starts last season (3,366 passing yards, 23 TDs), but Arizona throwing a league-high rate (partially due to always being behind) was a primary factor. Brissett finished 24th among 28 qualified quarterbacks in QBR (41.2). Gardner Minshew II and third-round rookie Carson Beck could also get some run. — Clay

While Brissett is expected to be the starter out of the gate, it’s unclear how many games he’ll start in 2026.

Not only is the veteran journeyman in ongoing contract talks with the team, but Beck is also expected to see a heavy dose of playing time ahead of a potentially loaded quarterback draft class in 2027.

Minshew has quickly formed connections with Arizona’s playmakers as the primary first-team option throughout organized team activities and mandatory minicamp, too.

That includes wide receiver Michael Wilson, whom Walder has as the team’s X factor.

In Weeks 1-10, Wilson managed a meager 0.8 yards per route run, making him one of the least efficient wide receivers in the league. But from Week 11 on — with Marvin Harrison Jr. out for much of that time — Wilson’s production ballooned to 2.6 yards per route run, 12th-best among wide receivers in those weeks. This Cardinals’ season is all about finding out who can be their pillars going forward, and that includes Wilson’s long-term role with the franchise. — Walder

Wilson shattered his previous career bests with 78 catches for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns last year. He’s also eligible for a contract extension this offseason.

Most of that production came with Brissett running the offense in place of former franchise quarterback Kyler Murray.

Wilson proved he can be Arizona’s WR1. Now, it’s about doing it on a consistent basis.

As for Arizona’s biggest strength? That is an easy one.

Tight end. This starts and ends with Trey McBride, who has emerged as one of the NFL’s top playmakers at the position. The 26-year-old is the only tight end in league history with 110-plus catches in more than one season. In 2025, he became the only tight end to reach 120 catches, 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns in a season. — Clay

Pass rusher BJ Ojulari, meanwhile, took home the honor of nonstarter to know for Arizona.

A big reason for that? The trade rumors that have surrounded Josh Sweat this offseason.

Baron Browning and Zaven Collins combined for only 3.5 sacks last season. It’s time for Ojulari to step up and fulfill the potential he showed as a second-round pick in 2023, when he had four sacks as a rookie before a 2024 knee injury knocked his career off track. — Schatz

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