Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals are shaping up as one of the more interesting fantasy offenses in 2026, mainly because they now have a clearer identity under new coach Mike LaFleur, but also because the quarterback situation is still the biggest swing factor. Recent previews point to Jacoby Brissett as the likely QB1, with Gardner Minshew and rookie Carson Beck behind him, and most fantasy optimism hinges on Brissett being available and effective early in the season.

At the top of the board, Trey McBride remains the safest Cardinals fantasy pick even if there is some regression risk from target competition and a healthier run game. Marvin Harrison Jr. is the player most likely to make a big jump if the passing volume holds, and several previews see him as a strong breakout candidate entering Year 3, while Michael Wilson is coming off a 2025 season that reportedly included 78 catches, 1,006 yards, and seven touchdowns, making him a viable WR3/FLEX if he keeps that role. Kendrick Bourne and Reggie Virgil add depth, but the offense is still likely to funnel its most valuable routes through McBride and Harrison.

The backfield is the wild card. Fantasy previews show Arizona adding rookie Jeremiyah Love in Round 1 and Tyler Allgeier in free agency, while James Conner is still on the roster but entering the year at age 31 and coming off a three-game 2025 season because of a foot injury. Some analysts expect Conner to be traded or reduced to a smaller role, while others think Love could split early-down and short-yardage work right away, which makes this a situation to watch closely in training camp and preseason usage. If Conner is moved or limited, Love has the clearest path to becoming the lead fantasy back, but if the committee sticks, his ceiling is more volatile than his draft price might suggest.

Overall, Arizona looks like a team that can produce several fantasy starters, but not necessarily one that will be easy to project week to week. The safest build is to treat McBride as the premium piece, Harrison as the main upside receiver, Wilson as a useful mid-round value, and the running backs as a situation-dependent investment until the roles settle. If Brissett starts most of the season, this offense should be playable for fantasy; if the quarterback room turns over, the ceiling for everyone outside McBride becomes much harder to trust.

Updated 06/21/2026