Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals’ Performance and Their Offensive Woes

2024 NFL Fantasy Football: Navigating Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals with Betting Insights

Murray’s return to the Cardinals lineup in 2024 has come with mixed results. While he still provides flashes of the dynamic dual-threat ability that made him a fantasy football favorite, Arizona’s offense hasn’t lived up to expectations. In this column, we’ll break down Murray’s fantasy football outlook, key players to start on the Cardinals, and how bettors can approach Murray and the Arizona offense moving forward.

Kyler Murray: The Ups and Downs of a Dual-Threat Quarterback

Murray’s rushing ability has long made him a high-upside quarterback in fantasy football. But in 2024, his passing production has been inconsistent, leading to uneven fantasy results. In recent weeks, Murray has thrown for just 145, 195, and 142 yards, with a single standout performance of 266 yards against the Los Angels Rams. If you’re starting Murray in fantasy football, you’re likely relying on his rushing stats to boost his floor because the passing game just hasn’t delivered consistently.

Murray’s ability to pick up yards with his legs keeps him relevant in fantasy, but his passing stats aren’t what they were in previous seasons. For fantasy managers, this makes Murray a mid-tier option rather than the top-tier QB1 he once was. You’re probably starting him out of necessity, especially in two-quarterback leagues, but if you’re expecting 300-yard passing games, you might be disappointed.

Fantasy Football Tip: Murray is still a viable starter, but temper your expectations when it comes to his passing numbers. His rushing yards keep him in the QB2 or low-end QB1 range. Keep an eye on matchups, as games against tougher defenses might force Murray into uncomfortable passing situations, limiting his upside.

Rushing Yards: The Key to Kyler’s Fantasy Value

As mentioned, Murray’s rushing ability is what’s keeping him afloat in fantasy football this season. Even in games where his passing numbers fall short, Murray can still deliver 50-70 rushing yards, providing a much-needed boost for fantasy managers. These rushing stats are especially valuable in standard leagues, where every yard counts, and even more so in DFS (daily fantasy sports) formats, where rushing quarterbacks tend to score more efficiently.

If Murray can find the end zone with his legs, it’s a bonus that makes him worth the start. But the volatility of Arizona’s offense means that fantasy managers are relying on him primarily for those rushing stats. His connection with tight end Trey McBride and running back James Conner adds a little extra value, but it’s still a risky proposition if Murray is primarily limited to passing.

Fantasy Football Tip: Focus on matchups where Murray can exploit defenses with his legs. If Arizona is facing a team that struggles against mobile quarterbacks, Murray’s rushing potential makes him a strong DFS option. For season-long fantasy managers, Murray remains a weekly starter, but don’t expect elite production unless his passing improves.

Betting on Kyler Murray: Rushing Props Over Passing

For bettors looking to capitalize on Murray’s production, the focus should be on his rushing stats rather than his passing totals. As of now, Murray has struggled to hit 200 passing yards in most of his games, making the under on his passing yards a safer bet in many matchups. However, betting on Murray’s rushing yards can be a profitable strategy, especially in games where Arizona might be playing from behind or facing heavy defensive pressure.

The Cardinals’ offensive struggles make betting on their overall performance risky, but targeting Murray’s individual rushing stats is a smart play. His ability to scramble and extend plays with his legs often leads to chunk yardage, even in games where the Cardinals struggle to move the ball through the air.

Betting Tip: Bet the over on Murray’s rushing yards in favorable matchups. Avoid betting on his passing yards, as he has struggled to consistently reach 200 yards. If the Cardinals are heavy underdogs, consider betting on Murray’s rushing attempts, as he’s likely to run more in those situations.

Arizona’s Receiving Corps: Who Can You Trust?

When it comes to the Cardinals’ pass-catchers, the options are limited, and the production has been inconsistent. Tight end McBride has been a bright spot in recent weeks, seeing increased targets and solid volume. While McBride hasn’t found the end zone often, his involvement in the passing game makes him a reliable option in PPR formats. He’s not an elite tight end, but in a season where the position has been difficult for fantasy managers, McBride’s volume is worth rostering.

As for Arizona’s wide receivers, the situation is murkier. Marvin Harrison has had some decent games, but the lack of consistent production from Murray has limited his fantasy ceiling. Brown remains a boom-or-bust option, and while he’s capable of delivering big plays, he’s not someone you can rely on weekly.

Fantasy Football Tip: McBride is the most reliable pass-catcher in Arizona’s offense, making him a solid TE2 with upside in PPR formats. Harrison remains a risky flex option, and fantasy managers should avoid starting him in tougher matchups.

Betting and Fantasy Outlook: Cardinals’ Upcoming Matchups

Looking ahead at the Cardinals’ remaining schedule, Murray and the offense face some challenging matchups that could impact both fantasy football and betting strategies.

• Week 9 vs. Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons have been vulnerable against mobile quarterbacks, making this a favorable matchup for Murray’s rushing ability. This is a good week to bet the over on Murray’s rushing yards and start him in fantasy lineups.

• Week 11 vs. San Francisco 49ers: San Francisco’s defense is one of the best in the league, and this matchup could spell trouble for Murray. Fantasy managers should consider benching Murray in single-QB leagues, and bettors should look to bet the under on his passing yards.

• Week 14 vs. Seattle Seahawks: Seattle has struggled to contain dual-threat quarterbacks, making this another opportunity for Murray to rack up rushing yards. This could be a high-risk, high-reward game for fantasy managers, but the rushing floor makes Murray a viable option.

Betting Tip: In matchups against strong defenses like San Francisco, consider betting the under on Murray’s passing yards. In games where Murray’s rushing ability can be utilized, like against Atlanta and Seattle, target rushing props for more value.

Conclusion: Kyler Murray’s Fantasy and Betting Value

Murray is still one of the most exciting quarterbacks to watch, but his fantasy football value has been inconsistent in 2024. While his rushing ability keeps him relevant in fantasy, his passing numbers are a concern for managers hoping for QB1 production. For bettors, the focus should be on Murray’s rushing props, as his legs remain his most valuable asset in games where the passing game falters.

If the Cardinals can improve their offensive consistency, Murray’s ceiling could rise. But for now, fantasy managers and bettors should approach him with caution, relying on his rushing ability while tempering expectations for his passing performance.

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