5 biggest weaknesses Cardinals have to address heading into 2024 training camp

The Arizona Cardinals enter training camp ahead of the 2024 season hoping for a much better campaign than last year. In 2023, the Cardinals dealt with an injury to starting QB Kyler Murray and could only amass a record of 4-13, good enough for last in the NFC West.

However, with Murray back healthy, the Cardinals will be looking to bounce back and challenge a strong division with second-year HC Jonathan Gannon.

To do this, they'll have to address some of the weaknesses that crippled the team last year.

5 biggest weaknesses Cardinals have to address heading into 2024 training camp

#5 - Quarterback

While Kyler Murray is expected to lead this team after recovering from injury during the 2023 season, should he go down injured, the offense might struggle like it did in 2023.

Arizona only totaled 184.9 passing yards per game in 2023, although much of this was due to Josh Hobbs and Clayton Tune seeing time before Murray's return. They also acquired former Falcons QB Desmond Ridder this offseason, who hasn't lit the league alight since being drafted back in 2022.

#4 - Defensive Playmakers

Despite having stars like Budda Baker on defense, the Cardinals could do with some more playmakers to help their lack of turnovers from 2023.

Arizona only turned the ball over 17 times, with just four teams recording fewer total turnovers. They drafted DE Darius Robinson and CB Max Melton with early picks in the 2024 NFL Draft who will be hoping to make an instant defensive impact.

#3 - Offensive Efficiency

In terms of yards per game, the Arizona Cardinals didn't rank too badly in 2023, ending the year with 324.1 yards per game, better than the likes of the Seattle Seahawks and Cincinnati Bengals.

However, two of their division rivals - the Rams and 49ers - ranked in the top 10 for this metric. If the Cardinals are to keep up and fight for the NFC West title in 2024, they'll have to improve their offensive output.

#2 - Relying on a Rookie

The Cardinals took star WR Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth-overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and even though Harrison is likely to be a stud at the next level, relying on him to be your premier pass-catcher as a rookie is far from ideal.

They also have an up-and-coming tight end in Trey McBride, but outside of those two, Arizona doesn't have many pieces on offense other than depth pieces like Zach Pascal and Greg Dortch.

#1 - Rush Defense

Syndication: Arizona Republic - Source: Imagn

Easily the biggest weakness the Cardinals face heading into 2024 training camp is their rush defense. Arizona allowed on average 143.2 yards per game on the ground in 2023, the most in the entire NFL. If they want to find any success in 2024, it's paramount they sort this issue out.

To aid this, they brought in some help in the trenches in the form of Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols as well as drafting the aforementioned Darius Robinson. The Cardinals will be desperate for their new-look defensive line to gel during training camp.