ARIZONA CARDINALS

PFF: Cardinals receivers rank 3rd in NFL, have room to improve

Oct 19, 2016, 5:45 PM

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) celebrates his touchdown catch with teammates La...

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Floyd (15) celebrates his touchdown catch with teammates Larry Fitzgerald (11) and D.J. Humphries during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Monday, Oct. 17, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

The Arizona Cardinals’ wideouts haven’t lived up to the lofty expectations through six games this season, but they are still regarded as the third-best receiving corps, according to Pro Football Focus’ receiver group rankings.

The Cardinals’ receivers were expected to be one of the best units in the NFL, but one key player hasn’t been his best. Michael Floyd, now in his fifth season, has had his fair share of struggles as one of the Cardinals’ core offensive targets.

In a contract year, no less, Floyd has seen his snap counts cut in half over the past three weeks because he simply can’t make any plays. His 40-percent catch rate is the second worst of any starting wideout. They still have Larry Fitzgerald and John Brown, though, the former being PFF’s second-highest-graded receiver currently.

Pro Football Focus said that if Floyd is able to recapture his old form, the Cardinals will likely own the No. 1 spot in the receiver corps rankings.

Although Floyd’s catch rate is low, he still managed to account for 192 yards and three touchdowns this season.

Meanwhile, Larry Fitzgerald has been tearing up the stat sheet even despite having Carson Palmer sidelined during Week 5 against the San Francisco 49ers. Fitzgerald has performed exceptionally well with 410 yards, five touchdowns and catch rate of 66.1 percent through six games.

If Floyd’s catch rate climbs anywhere near Fitzgerald’s, his impact could make the unit a scary one by the end of the year — and in time for a strong playoff push.

Another factor that has prevented the Cardinals from being top contenders has been the play of Palmer.

The quarterback’s performance going into Week 7 has not been on pace with his MVP-caliber season last year. Palmer accumulated 1,737 yards, 14 touchdowns to five interceptions with a completion percentage of 64 through Week 6 in 2015. This season, Palmer recorded 1,363 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions with a 60-percent completion rating. His numbers are noticeably lower, partly due to missing Week 5 in San Francisco for following the NFL’s concussion protocol.

With a few adjustments, the Cardinals’ wideouts aren’t far off from claiming the No. 1 spot in PFF’s rankings.

The No. 1 ranked teams are the New England Patriots (5-1), led by tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Martellus Bennett,who are ranked first and second in yards per route for their position. Second in the rankings are the Washington Redskins (4-2), who feature Pierre Garçon, DeSean Jackson and Jamison Crowder, a group that has combined for 923 yards and only two drops.

Arizona Cardinals

Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals warms up prior to his game against the Philadelphia Eagles...

Tom Kuebel

Bleacher Report: Cardinals’ Kyler Murray is NFL’s most overrated QB

Bleacher Report's Gary Davenport ranks Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray as the most overrated player at his position in the NFL.

14 hours ago

Monti Ossenfort...

Arizona Sports

Barnwell: Arizona Cardinals 12th-most improved team this offseason

In ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell's eyes, the Cardinals are among those who have used the offseason to their advantage.

3 days ago

Budda Baker #3 of the Arizona Cardinals looks on during the second quarter against the Carolina Pan...

Wills Rice

ESPN’s Bowen: Best potential landing spots for Budda Baker, DeAndre Hopkins

ESPN's Matt Bowen gave the best potential landing spots for both wideout DeAndre Hopkins and Cardinals safety Budda Baker.

2 days ago

James Conner...

Tyler Drake

No complaints: Cardinals’ James Conner excited to ‘prove people wrong’ with new regime

While outside expectations are some of the lowest they have been in Cardinals history, RB James Conner isn't focused on the external noise.

2 days ago

Kyler Murray...

Arizona Sports

Simms: Cardinals’ Kyler Murray in ‘clock’s ticking’ tier of NFL quarterbacks

After going down with a season-ending knee injury, can Kyler Murray return to form and be one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL?

3 days ago

DeAndre Hopkins...

Tyler Drake

Gannon: WR DeAndre Hopkins’ release best thing for Cardinals

No matter how it all shook out, the Arizona Cardinals parting ways with wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins this offseason was expected.

3 days ago

PFF: Cardinals receivers rank 3rd in NFL, have room to improve