Op/Ed: reactions to Cardinals’ buzz on social media, Part II: the players

Buzz about the Cardinals’ players

Idea #2: What the list of Top 10 players for the Cardinals needs to look like in 2026.

Here is Johhny Venerable’s and Bo Brack’s prediction:

While it is very difficult to imagine that Marvin Harrison Jr. in year two, will emerge as the Cardinals’ top player on the entire roster, I can understand why fans who were so certain about the prospect in 2023 the Cardinals’ “Tanking for Marv” would be lusting to feel vindicated, especially after the struggles at times that Marv and Kyler had in creating their timing.

The other major reason it is a stretch to believe that Marv “needs” to be the team’s #1 player is the team’s offensive philosophy under Drew Petzing. For Drew Petzing’s heavy 12 and 13 personnel offense to dominate, the top playmakers on offense really need to be RB James Conner and TE Trey McBride. Petzing would also likely tell you himself that at least two of his offensive linemen need to be on the list of the team’s top 10 players.

Josh Shapiro of Betonline,ag recently sent me these 2025 regular season odds on QBs and receivers.

Most Passing Yards Regular Season Odds

NFL Player Performance Futures – Quarterbacks Props, Betting Odds & Lines at Betonline.ag

• Joe Burrow 11/2
• Dak Prescott 9/1
• Jared Goff 10/1
• Patrick Mahomes 10/1
• Baker Mayfield 11/1
• Brock Purdy 12/1
• C.J. Stroud 12/1
• Michael Penix 12/1
• Josh Allen 14/1
• Matthew Stafford 18/1
• Trevor Lawrence 18/1
• Justin Herbert 20/1
• Jordan Love 22/1
• Geno Smith 25/1
• J.J. McCarthy 28/1
• Tua Tagovailoa 28/1
• Caleb Williams 33/1
• Lamar Jackson 40/1
• Sam Darnold 40/1
• Bo Nix 50/1
• Drake Maye 50/1
• Jayden Daniels 50/1
• Kyler Murray 66/1
• Russell Wilson 80/1
• Bryce Young 100/1
• Cameron Ward 100/1
• Jalen Hurts 100/1

Most Receiving Yards Regular Season Odds

NFL Player Performance Futures – Wide Receivers Props, Betting Odds & Lines at Betonline.ag

• Ja’Marr Chase 9/2
• Justin Jefferson 15/2
• Nico Collins 15/2
• Brian Thomas Jr. 10/1
• CeeDee Lamb 10/1
• Malik Nabers 10/1
• Puka Nacua 14/1
• Tyreek Hill 20/1
• A.J. Brown 25/1
• Amon-Ra St Brown 25/1
• Drake London 25/1
• Brandon Aiyuk 33/1
• Garrett Wilson 33/1
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba 33/1
• Davante Adams 40/1
• Tee Higgins 40/1
• Terry McLaurin 40/1
• Brock Bowers 50/1
• Chis Godwin 50/1
• D.J. Moore 50/1
• Ladd McConkey 50/1
• Marvin Harrison Jr 50/1
• Rashee Rice 50/1
• Stefon Diggs 50/1

The conclusion that makes the most sense is for fans not to put so much pressure on Kyler and Marv to be the top two players on the entire roster —- because they do not need to be top two in order for the Cardinals to win.

Increasing the fans’ already sky-high expectations on the Kyler to Marv connection is likely to produce another letdown and add more fuel to the “fire Petzing” refrain.

The ultimate answer is —-> it doesn’t so much matter what receiver is catching the ball, as long as the Cardinals’ offense is consistently moving the chains and scoring in the red zone.

Just like last season, we can expect opposing defenses to bracket Marv. So, the best way to get defenses to have to play Marv in single coverage is to have Trey McBride, Elijah Higgins and the other receivers benefit from the added attention that safeties are giving to Marv.

Putting Marv in motion and playing him in the slot, should make it easier for Marv to get open in the quick passing game.

What’s very wrong about the top receiving odds above is the omission of Trey McBride who was #11th of all receivers last season with 1,146 yards at 71.6 yards per game. Had that per game average stuck for Trey all season (had he not missed one game), he would have been #7th in the NFL, tops of any TE.

For Drew Petzing’s 12 and 13 personnel offense to click, the team needs James Conner, Trey McBride, Paris Johnson Jr. and Hjalte Froholdt to be the bell cows, with Kyler Murray playing a Tre Young style of playmaking point guard. Marvin Harrison Jr. should be able to keep improving his game, without having the burden of being one to carry the offense.

Monti Ossenfort and Jonathan Gannon are committed to Drew Petzing and his style of offense. They believe in him. Monti’s draft commitment to adding 12 and 13 personnel, smashmouth type players is proof of his confidence in the offensive system.

Monti’s financial commitments to the likes of James Conner (2-years/$19M), Trey McBride (4-years/$76M), Hjalte Froholdt (2-years/$12M) and Jonah Williams (2-years/$30M) are added proof.

On the defensive side of the ball, one has to hope that three of the team’s best pass rushers emerge as this year’s bell cows, with Budda Baker and Garrett Williams spearheading a young, talented secondary that should be encouraged to play more aggressively. If the team’s cornerbacks are encouraged to jump routes in order to more regularly get their hands on the football, they will need Dadrion Taylor-Demerson to be a star on the 3rd level of the pass coverage.

The biggest question marks are at inside linebacker. The player likely with the most upside in terms of all-around instincts and consistent level of play versus both the run and the pass is 4th round rookie Cody Simon. While Mack Wilson Sr. is a physical player versus the run and a very talented situational blitzer, he will need to improve in pass coverage in order to stave off the likes of Owen Pappoe (76.9 in pass coverage, tops at ILB in 2024) and Akeem Davis Gaither (who showed flashes of playmaking abilities in his 7 starts with the Bengals last season, while piling up 82 tackles, 4 pass breakups and 1 interception).

Conclusion:

While individual players on the team need to step up and play at a very high level, the Cardinals’ ultimate success this season will depend on the strengths and chemistry of the offensive and defensive lines. Therefore, one would hope that five or six of the top 10 highest graded players on the team in 2025 will come from the trenches.

ROTB Question:

If you could create your own Top 10 list of Cardinals’ players whom you believe are most vital in helping the team win, what does your list look like?