Expectations are higher because the Arizona Cardinals worked hard this summer to improve the roster through the 2024 NFL Draft and free agency.

Some predict Arizona will win twice as many games, while others believe the Cardinals will make the playoffs. But according to NFL.com analyst Adam Rank, the Cardinals will only be deemed successful in 2024 if they make strides in their second season under head coach Jonathan Gannon.

The Cardinals are expected to be a sleeper club this season. While I don’t rule anything out, the schedule appears to be more difficult than you may anticipate (teams like the Commanders and Jets might be far better than their 2023 record would suggest). For this club, seeing Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. make memories while playing better defence should be a realistic objective.

There have been observable improvements on both sides of the game. Harrison, who Rank lists as the team’s most significant non-QB, gave Arizona’s wide receiver group a significant offensive boost through the draft.

Zay Jones, who it signed as a late free agent, might prove to be a cunning addition as well.

Outside of the field, Murray is demonstrating growing leadership qualities and has a complete offseason with the new team in good health.

In the new-look offence, he’s also coming off a strong sample size, finishing 65.7% of his passes for 1,799 yards, 10 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Three of Arizona’s four victories this season were greatly influenced by him.

With Murray at quarterback, they were able to score six more points each game. As fortune would have it, a touchdown is worth six points, yes, exactly six points. That is important to note. During the last three games of the season, Murray also witnessed gains in his passer rating (108.1) and completion percentage (71.7%). Marvin Harrison Jr. will also be riding along with Murray, so the Cardinals will give him every opportunity to succeed. The deep ball is one area where I would like to see him improve. In recent years, he has gotten worse in that area. No player on the Cardinals roster has ever caught a touchdown pass from Murray that has travelled more than 20 yards in the air.

In addition to selecting Darius Robinson in the first round of the draft, the Cardinals signed Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols as part of their aim to strengthen their defensive line.

Talent-wise, cornerback has also advanced since the Cardinals added veteran Sean Murphy-Bunting and three rookies, including second-round pick Max Melton.

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