The Arizona Cardinals went into the 2025 season knowing they needed more offensive output,
especially in the passing attack. The franchise finished 21st in the league last year in passing
yardage (3,859) and 23rd in passing touchdowns (21).
Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort worked hard in the off-season to keep this young group together after drafting receivers Marvin Harrison, Jr. in the first round and Tejhaun Palmer in Round 6 of the 2024 NFL draft. The franchise didn’t add any significant pieces to their
passing attack this offseason, which means this young group should see a similar role in the weekly game plan going forward.
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Ossenfort was able to retain WR Zay Jones (6’-2”, 200 pounds) on another one-year deal to pair
with 2023 third-round draft pick WR Michael Wilson (6’-2”, 213 pounds) as starters.
Currently, the only receiver getting any sort of production is Harrison. Against the New Orleans
Saints and Carolina Panthers, he had 91 total yards.
In the Saints contest, Harrison had six targets, five catches for 71 yards, one touchdown, and a
14.1 yards per reception average. He also snagged a 45-yard catch with 13:34 left in the first
half. In the Panthers matchup, he had just five targets with two receptions for 27 yards.
So far, Jones has been an enigma. He has plenty of experience and still has ample speed, as he
was clocked at 4.45 in the 40 coming out of college. The former second-round draft pick seems
to be relying more on his speed and quickness rather than running good routes.
Initially, Jones was known for having technical route-running skills, though he was seen as
lacking elite size. But in both of this year’s games, he is rounding off routes instead of using
those crisp head bobs and shoulder jukes to his advantage. Defensive backs aren’t being fooled
and instead are simply running alongside him.
This means Jones is not getting any type of separation whatsoever. So, when QB Kyler Murray is
looking in the direction of Jones and seeing a defender as his shadow, Murray is forced to look
off at his next progression instead. Jones has to find a way to get a few two-step routes going in
each game to receive more targets.
Against the Saints in Week 1, Jones had one target with one reception for four yards. One catch.
One look. Yeah, so separation is the key. And it’s not like he isn’t getting the reps. In the New
Orleans game, he had 31 snaps which is 46.97% of all offensive plays. In the Panthers game,
Jones had zero targets, which means he had zero catches as well.
Right now, the Cardinals need another dynamic playmaker.
Another concern is Wilson. This offense can’t rely on Harrison being the lone receiver catching
balls all game, and Wilson appears to be the name most brought up as that guy who can move the
sticks. But so far this year, he appears to be more of a guy out there running routes looking like a
football player.
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There is no doubt Wilson has the juice. He runs a 4.5 with a vertical leap of 37.5”. One issue in
the first two games has been the efficiency of his route running. He does possess good body
control and will go after those contested balls, but his hips are a bit stiff, and just like Jones,
Wilson needs to find a way to get more separation. He has the ability as he has made some
exceptional catches in the past.
In two games this year, Wilson had four targets with one reception for five yards against the
Saints and just two targets with one catch versus the Panthers. And yes, his one catch was for a
touchdown beating Carolina CB Chau Smith-Wade and S Nick Scott. Wilson had great feet
awareness on that play as he was able to drag the toe of that right foot before he slid out of the
back of the end zone.
Although Murray doesn’t always deliver catchable balls, a player like Wilson has to expect to go
after a poorly thrown pass on occasion instead of waiting for it to arrive on target every time.
Notice the missed opportunity intended for Harrison in the middle of the field against New
Orleans? Wilson has outstanding hands and is ready to upgrade this passing attack.
Wilson is an excellent candidate to be used more as a big slot inside. This is a guy who should be
an 800-yards-a-season player and complement Harrison so that he doesn’t always get that safety
over the top almost every down.
Of course, Wilson has had his share of injury issues, but currently, he is healthy and needs to
find himself more of a threat and be more consistent about getting open.
These three receivers need to find a way to increase their production in games.
Backup Greg Dortch (5’-7”, 180 pounds) has played in 57 NFL games but started just 14 in his
six years in the league. He is a complementary player to the receiver room and is needed to
continue being healthy for the return game, where he excels. Xavier Weaver (6’-1”, 185 pounds)
remains in a developmental stage and would be a downgrade if pressed into a starting role,
although he played well in the preseason.
The Cardinals’ passing game must get both Jones and Wilson more involved in the game plan if
this offense wants to progress.
In both games so far, both victories, the offense is dependent on the tight ends to gain yards
through the air instead of the receiving corps. Along with Harrison, that is.
Against the Saints, TE Trey McBride had nine targets with six completions for 61 yards, second
most on the team behind Harrison’s 71 yards. TE Tip Reiman ranked third. In the Panthers
contest, McBride led all categories with seven targets, six catches, and 78 yards. The next one on
the list is TE Elijah Higgins with 45 yards.
The tight ends can’t be expected to lead the team in receiving each week. Tight ends are great to
convert those third-and-four situations and gut out some nasty yards for a needed first down
using their girth and height; however, they aren’t going to get 20 yards a pop continually.
Receivers are the ones who can make intermediate throws into plays that continue drives with an
occasional deep ball. Yet, this group for the Cardinals is failing to contribute.
Should Arizona look to bringing in a new guy?
A glance at the available free agent receivers reveal that it is picked over pretty good, but there is
talent readily available. Allen Robinson (6’-2”, 210 pounds) is a free agent and would come
cheap in that he made $1.21 million last season. Diontae Johnson (5’-10”, 183 pounds) has Pro
Bowl hardware and was a last day cut with the Cleveland Browns. Odell Beckham, Jr. (5’-11”,
200 pounds) is also obtainable but won’t come cheap. Could Amari Cooper (6’-1”, 210 pounds)
be lured out of his two-week retirement? He is just 31 years old.
So far this season, the run game is holding its own. The receivers must produce with greater
numbers if this team is going to make some noise in the division.
