Patrick Peterson is part of one of the league’s best secondaries (Getty).
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In Bruce Arians’ Cardinals offense, risks are meant to be taken. Arians likes to let it fly, and is sure to take big shots downfield multiple times each game. When he has a healthy quarterback, that game plan can pay dividends for fantasy owners. In Carson Palmer’s six healthy starts in 2014, he finished with 11 passing touchdowns and averaged over 270 passing yards per game. When he was unable to play, backups Drew Stanton and Ryan Lindley combined for nine touchdowns and nine interceptions in his absence.
When Palmer is out, defenses can stack the box, slowing down the explosive Andre Ellington. If Palmer is healthy, it makes all of his targets viable fantasy options. Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd, and John Brown are all worth drafting in standard leagues. If you’re looking down the road, new TE signing Jermaine Gresham is recovering from back surgery but should be a popular target for Palmer as the season develops.
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Here’s the best options from Arizona:
1: Carson Palmer, QB
When healthy, Palmer can be one of the league’s best passers (Getty).
Palmer is the key that starts the Cardinals offense. Under Arians and healthy in 2013, Palmer was consistent and effective, recording a touchdown pass in 13 straight games, including 8 in the final 5 weeks. But the knock on Palmer his entire career is his durability, and 2014 was another prime example.
When he was on the field, his numbers were strong. In six full starts, Palmer had five games with two or more touchdown tosses. More importantly for Arians, Arizona was 6-0 in those contests. If Palmer can stay on the field, Arians is capable of elevating Palmer’s game to the fantasy elite.
2: Andre Ellington, RB
Andre Ellington was having a strong 2014 before being slowed by a foot injury (Getty).
While the quarterback situation was a disaster, Andre Ellington was a hot commodity in early 2014. Ellington proved himself a solid dual-threat RB, catching more than five passes five times last season. Ellington had a hard time finding the end zone, but still finished as the 20th highest-scoring back of the season.
Although he missed four games to injury, Ellington appears to be a lock to get the majority of carries. In 2015, there are not many running backs gettin over 200 carries and 50 targets. If Arizona’s offense can keep it’s balance Ellington should have a fine season.
3: Larry Fitzgerald, WR
Once a first-round pick, Fitzgerald still has fantasy value in 2015 (Getty).
Gone are the days when Fitzgerald was a top three receiver. Now that his position is the deepest for fantasy, this may be a good year to steal Fitzgerald from unsuspecting owners. Taking into account the team’s QB struggles, Fitz was still targeted 10 or more times in five games last season.
Looking at the totals, Fitzgerald had his worst statistical season since his rookie year in 2004. Given the mess under center, it’s understandable Arians would have trouble getting him the ball. Add in the rise of Michael Floyd and John Brown, and it’s unclear if Fitzgerald will be able to rebound. If Palmer is healthy, Fitzgerald still has enough gas in the tank to earn a spot on your roster.
4: John Brown, WR
Emerging as an outside threat in 2014, John Brown’s speed put other teams on notice. A third round pick out of Pittsburg State, Brown got his chance as a deep threat after early season injuries to Michael Floyd. Although he was a risky fantasy play last year, Brown has enough skill to crack this list.
Brown was targeted over 100 times his rookie season, mostly as a deep shot. This translated to a low catch percentage (47.1), but it shows that Arians is willing to use Brown to take his shots. Brown could be available as one of the last picks of the draft, then explode for some big point totals later in the season.
5: Cardinals D/ST
Each week, Peterson goes head to head with the opponent’s best receiver (Getty).
Bruce Arians was the mastermind on offense, but it was the defense that kept Arizona in contention last season. Todd Bowles nasty blitzing scheme was relentless last season, so much so that it earned Bowles a new job title in New York. New DC James Bettcher will stay with the scheme, so expect a similar aggressive style from a defense that had the ability to put up big points last year.
Arizona DST was up and down last season, but they did manage to string together four double-digit scoring weeks midseason. As always, DST depends on the matchup each week. While the Cardinals gave owners negative points twice last season, they scored 40 points in standard scoring against the NFC East and 39 points in two games against division rival St. Louis.