Cardinals' Core Players Ranked Worst in NFL

The Arizona Cardinals' top five core players - as a unit - ranks as the worst in the league according to ESPN.

It goes without saying that the Arizona Cardinals' roster is under heavy construction as the 2023 season approaches. Just two years ago, the Cardinals started 7-0 and made an appearance in the postseason. 

Since then, the Cardinals have lost some hefty names including Chandler Jones, DeAndre Hopkins, J.J. Watt, Rodney Hudson, Zach Allen and Byron Murphy among others. 

With Kyler Murray rehabbing from a torn ACL and the entire team under the guidance of new head coach Jonathan Gannon, the Cardinals aren't exactly expected to be championship contenders. 

According to ESPN, it might just be the exact opposite - Arizona's core players (Kyler Murray, Marquise Brown, Budda Baker, Paris Johnson, D.J. Humphries) ranks dead last in the league when it comes to core rankings. 

"We're including Murray in the core even though we're also working under the assumption that he will miss most of the 2023 season due a torn ACL in his right knee. That Johnson and Humphries made this list speaks to the lack of roster strength on this rebuilding team," wrote ESPN. 

The Cardinals spent most of this offseason rebuilding, which required losing some coveted talent while general manager Monti Ossenfort builds the team from the ground up. 

2023 doesn't seem promising, though 2024 should be a great opportunity for the Cardinals to capitalize on cap space and high draft capital, which includes two first-round picks. 

Players such as Isaiah Simmons, Zaven Collins and Jalen Thompson could put themselves in the core conversation with strong seasons.