We have been doing a ton of talking on the Arizona Cardinals offense this offseason, as that is where the bulk of the production came in what was a dismal three-win season, but the hype just got taken to a whole other level after ESPN Analyst Bill Barnwell gave the unit lofty expectations when ranking each team by skill position (RB, WR, TE) as a whole based off production.
There isn’t much to look forward to in Arizona next season, based on team performance from the year before, uncertainty at quarterback, and the fact that this will be Mike LaFleur’s first season as a head coach. But those factors didn’t deter Barnwell from placing the Cardinals at No. 6 in those rankings, only trailing the San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams, and Detroit Lions in those standings.
“There's a scenario in which Love and Harrison live up to expectations, Wilson is able to sustain the sort of form he showed without Harrison on the field all season, and the Cardinals have a legitimate case for No. 1 in these rankings next year. But it also feels like the only true sure thing they have is McBride.” — Bill Barnwell
MORE: Cardinals GM has a funny response when asked about Carson Beck starting immediately
MORE: Here's what an ideal contract extension for Jacoby Brissett would (and should) look like for the Cardinals
MORE: ESPN predicts when Cardinals fans can expect to see Carson Beck under center
This is some praise considering the fact that Arizona is projected to be a bottom-three team once again, and more importantly, in the running for the first overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, widely projected to be used on the University of Texas’ quarterback Arch Manning.
Barnwell’s projection could either be 100% correct or it could be a complete flop; it’s up to the offense to determine that reality.
