Niner Noise
FanSided

Previewing how the 49ers stack up against the NFC West in 2019

By Josh Altorfer

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 24: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers hands the ball to Tevin Coleman #26 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter during preseason action against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 24: Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers hands the ball to Tevin Coleman #26 of the San Francisco 49ers in the first quarter during preseason action against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /
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TEMPE, ARIZONA – APRIL 26: Quarterback Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals poses during a press conference at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center on April 26, 2019, in Tempe, Arizona. Murray was the first pick overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2019 NFL Draft. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, ARIZONA – APRIL 26: Quarterback Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals poses during a press conference at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center on April 26, 2019, in Tempe, Arizona. Murray was the first pick overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2019 NFL Draft. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

2019 Preview: Arizona Cardinals

2018 Record: 3-13, Last In NFC West

Key Additions:

QB Kyler Murray, Draft

CB Byron Murphy, Draft

WR Andy Isabella, Draft

DE Terrell Suggs, FA

Key Losses:

S Antone Bethea

G Mike Iupati

QB Josh Rosen

Recap:

The Arizona Cardinals are the team with the biggest turnaround in the NFC West and probably the entire NFL. They selected Kyler Murray from Oklahoma with the No.1 overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft. In doing so, they decided to part ways with second-year quarterback Josh Rosen, whom they drafted in the first round the year prior.

They hired a new head coach, Kliff Kingsbury. Kingsbury is a long-time college coach. He was the Texas Tech head coach from 2013 through 2018. He helped develop quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Baker Mayfield of the Cleveland Browns when they were in college.

The hope is he can develop Murray into the same caliber NFL starter as those two.

Most of the additions made to the Cardinals roster came through the draft, given they had the first pick of each round. They selected cornerback Byron Murphy out of Washington with their first second-round pick. They used another second rounder on wide receiver Andy Isabella out of the University of Massachusetts.

Pro Football Focus gave the Cardinals an “excellent” draft grade. They believe the Cardinals drafted the No. 1 best overall player in Murray, got a steal with Murphy in the second round and did well by pairing Murray with a speedy deep threat in Isabella.

This all sounds great, but let’s face it: The Cardinals had a lot to improve on. They had the worst record in the entire NFL in 2018.

2019 Projections:

The best-case scenario is the Cardinals are able to light up the scoreboard with their new quarterback and offensive play caller, Kingsbury. What they lack in experience they make up for in sheer talent. Running back David Johnson returns to the runner he was in 2016 and veteran receiver Larry Fitzgerald continues to defy father time.

All this leads the Cardinals to a much-improved 8-8 record and fans are shouting for Murray to be Offensive Rookie of the Year.

The more realistic outcome is Murray and Kingsbury go through a season of growing pains. They begin to realize they will have to adjust to the NFL rather than solely rely on what got them there. They will be a lot more entertaining to watch, but their inexperience will cause them to lose close games.

They will still improve but finish at the bottom of the division for the second year in a row with a record of 5-11.