NFL.com: Arizona Cardinals’ Michael Floyd one of league’s most underrated players

Jun 2, 2015, 10:22 AM | Updated: 10:22 am

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Michael Floyd was expected to have a breakout season in 2014, cementing himself as the Arizona Cardinals’ top option in the passing game.

Things did not work out that way.

Instead, Floyd had an inconsistent campaign, finishing with 47 catches for 841 yards and six touchdowns. He topped the 100-yard receiving mark just three times, and was held to two or fewer catches eight times.

Even so, there is still optimism surrounding the 25-year-old as he enters his fourth NFL season, as NFL.com’s Elliot Harrison placed the receiver on his All-Underrated Team, as the second receiver along with Houston’s DeAndre Hopkins.

Like Hopkins, Floyd had myriad mediocre quarterbacks … a mediocrity melee … a morass of mediocrity … throwing him passes last season in Arizona. After Carson Palmer was hurt, Floyd was left to work with Drew Stanton and Ryan Lindley — and yet, Floyd succeeded. Larry Fitzgerald still gets the headlines in the desert, but Floyd is the Cardinals’ WR1. Also, unlike many wideouts, he can block.

The Cardinals’ issues at quarterback hindered the team’s entire offense, and Floyd was no doubt a victim.

There were rumors around the time of the NFL Draft that the Cardinals were interested in trading Floyd, though it seems like that isn’t much of an option at this point.

Having picked up the fifth-year option, the Cardinals are looking for Floyd to go from breakout candidate to broken out star, which would then remove him from any underrated lists.

QB Drew Stanton as well as some offensive linemen walk around during OTAs June 1, 2015. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Members of the Arizona Cardinals' offensive line walk across the field during OTAs June 1, 2015. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Tackle Tavon Rooks prepares to go through a drill during OTAs June 1, 2015. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Linebacker Alex Okafor goes through a drill during OTAs June 1, 2015. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Tight end Ifanyi Momah goes through a drill during OTAs June 1, 2015. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Guard Earl Watford goes through a drill during OTAs June 1, 2015. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Head coach Bruce Arians walks across the field during OTAs June 1, 2015. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Linebacker Markus Golden during OTAs June 1, 2015. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Linebacker Kareem Martin, tight end Gannon Sinclair and tight end Troy Niklas during OTAs June 1, 2015. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Members of the Cardinals during OTAs June 1, 2015. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Linebackers Kareem Martin and Kenny Demens during OTAs June 1, 2015. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Larry Fitzgerald during OTAs June 1, 2015. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Defensive back Tyrann Mathieu during OTAs June 1, 2015. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Safety Brandon Person tries to run past cornerback Justin Bethel during OTAs June 1, 2015. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Arizona Cardinals defensive backs watch during OTAs June 1, 2015. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports) Receiver Jaron Brown during OTAs June 1, 2015. (Photo by Adam Green/Arizona Sports)

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