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Where do the Arizona Cardinals' QB-RB-WR/TE Stack Rank Amongst the Rest of the NFL?

Are the Arizona Cardinals underrated or overhyped? CBS Sports reveals its ranking for the Cards' offensive core.
Dec 3, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  Arizona Cardinals  tight end Trey McBride (85) celebrates a touchdown with running back James Conner (6) against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images
Dec 3, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) celebrates a touchdown with running back James Conner (6) against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images | Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images

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The Arizona Cardinals are one of the top picks to make the playoffs in 2025 after failing to do so last season.

In fact, the Cardinals haven't made the playoffs since quarterback Kyler Murray's third season in the league.

The Cards bolstered their defense this offseason, particularly on the defensive line, to try and help out the offense this season.

The offense has been okay, but it hasn't quite been what the Cardinals have expected or needed up to this point. It's not the deepest unit in the league, but they possess an above-average line with others around them to have success.

While the success may start up front for the offense, it is up to the playmakers to make plays, and that begins with the trio of Murray, running back James Conner, and tight end Trey McBride.

Trey McBride Kyler Murra
Dec 28, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) celebrates with quarterback Kyler Murray (1) after catching a 1-yard touchdown pass against the Los Angeles Rams in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Triple Stack in Glendale

In a recent panel of voters at CBS Sports, the Cardinals aforementioned offensive trio was ranked amongst the rest of the NFL. Unfortunately, the folks over at CBS Sports don't think that highly of them as they have them in the "just below average" tier ranked 17th overall.

READ MORE: Cardinals OL Ready to Fill Starting Spot

"There was a wider range of opinions on the Cardinals than I expected there to be -- especially for a team checking in 17th on our list after coming in 16th last year. I'd imagine that some of the disparity comes from the relatively disappointing season they got out of Marvin Harrison Jr., who was supposed to do right away what guys like Nabers and Thomas Jr. did," wrote Jared Dubin. "But he fell behind McBride in the pecking order and wasn't that efficient, so it seems like people view Arizona as in a holding pattern unless and until he takes over and/or we find out more about what he can be."

It is hard to imagine Harrison Jr. not a part of the trio, considering what lies ahead of him. He had a decent season in his rookie campaign, but as mentioned by Dubin, he didn't quite live up to the billing as his draft counterparts.

Murray, Conner, and McBride were the obvious leaders on offense a season ago. The ranking they were given is probably on par with where they should be after last season, but things should look up here for not only them, but also their entire offense as a whole.

Murray has the chance to have an MVP-caliber season. Conner is one of the league's workhorse backs, and even if he concedes some of his snaps to Trey Benson, who is expected to have a bigger role in year two, he will still likely have a large impact on the outcome of the game. McBride was one of the best tight ends in 2024, and should be able to replicate that here in 2025, since the wideout room is a bit thin, and the hopeful addition of a few more endzone catches.


READ MORE: Kyler Murray Sends Message Ahead of Arizona Cardinals Training Camp

Stick with Arizona Cardinals on SI for more coverage of the Arizona Cardinals throughout the 2025 offseason.

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• Former Arizona Cardinals DB Sends Special Message to Fans


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Caleb Skinner
CALEB SKINNER

Caleb is from Nashville, Tennessee and graduated from Florida State University in 2018. He has previously written for an FSU outlet and currently covers the Bucs, Commanders, and Cardinals for OnSI while hosting the BucsGameday Hear the Cannons podcast. Caleb is an avid sports fan who enjoys craft beers and golf on his days off.