Revenge of the Birds
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.
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...
