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Arizona Cardinals should produce better in fantasy in 2018

Injuries and ineffectiveness lead to only Larry Fitzgerald being a viable fantasy option in 2018.

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NFL: Arizona Cardinals-Minicamp Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Cardinals had many struggles in 2017, and while many fans did not care about the struggles in fantasy football, the world of fantasy football is what has taken the NFL to greater heights.

So, with the David Johnson injury, the Carson Palmer injury and the struggles on offense, the fantasy results for the Cardinals was less than optimal.

Well, Pro Football Focus doesn’t see that happening again in 2018:

With Palmer and Bruce Arians both retiring, both Browns moving on in free agency, and another year on Fitzgerald’s legs, the Cardinals could struggle to improve. That said, a healthy Johnson would be leaps and bounds better than the Chris Johnson/Adrian Peterson/Kerwynn Williams slog the Cardinals struggled with a year ago, and Sam Bradford-if-healthy or Josh Rosen-if-starting at least have the potential to outproduce Blaine Gabbert and Drew Stanton.

The key will obviously be the winner of the Cardinals quarterback competition as well as whatever happens with David Johnson’s contract situation.

If Bradford wins and stays healthy, the Cardinals will likely throw the ball a little more than they would with Josh Rosen at the helm.

Which means that obviously Larry Fitzgerald, but likely Ricky Seals-Jones and potentially even a second wide receiver could be viable fantasy options.

Obviously the biggest addition will be David Johnson back and healthy, as he will likely be at or near the top of the touches list in the NFL.

Then of course, there is the defense.

Under the guidance of Steve Wilks and Al Holcomb, the Panthers were a top ten fantasy defense in 2017. In 2016, with Wilks and Holcomb on the staff, they finished in the top 9.

An improvement in fantasy may not be at the top of fans list, but it will create more excitement for the team in 2018.