Arizona Cardinals: 3 Keys to Beating the Washington Redskins

2 of 3

GLENDALE, AZ – AUGUST 11: Wide receiver Christian Kirk #13 of the Arizona Cardinals warms up before the preseason NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers at University of Phoenix Stadium on August 11, 2018 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Someone Besides Fitz Needs to Step Up

The Arizona Cardinals’ group of wide receivers has been constantly scrutinized this offseason. While it’d be nice to say that the naysayers are crazy, the jabs have some merit. After all, outside of Larry Fitzgerald, the unit doesn’t have any proven NFL receivers. They did have Brice Butler and Greg Little on staff — two guys with hundreds of combined NFL receptions — but both were beaten out by younger, quicker receivers.

Having said that, the coaching staff is smart; the guys who made the team obviously did for good reason.

In terms of the eye-test, I believe rookie Christian Kirk will be the guy who steps up the most. Kirk, a hometown kid from Scottsdale, AZ, was drafted in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft and showed a lot of upside during the preseason. The kid can flat-out fly! Plus, his route-running has drawn praise and he’s obviously happy with where he ended up. It wouldn’t surprise me if he emerges as the team’s leader in yards per catch, and second to Larry Fitzgerald in pretty much everything else.

Outside of the WR position, someone at the tight end position needs to step up if Jermaine Gresham doesn’t play. Right now, Greshman is listed as questionable so it’ll probably have to be Ricky Seals-Jones. Like Kirk, Seals-Jones had a decorated career at Texas A&M and could be a sleeper on this Cardinals’ team.

Home/Arizona Cardinals