According to our analysis of Google searches in Arizona, these are the top 10 most popular players in the Arizona Cardinals:
Rank |
Player |
Monthly searches |
---|---|---|
1 |
Kyler Murray |
33,100 |
2 |
Budda Baker |
5,400 |
3 |
James Connor |
5,400 |
4 |
Colt McCoy |
5,400 |
5 |
Marquise Brown |
4,400 |
6 |
Zach Ertz |
3,600 |
7 |
David Blough |
2,400 |
8 |
Rondale Moore |
1,900 |
9 |
Isaiah Simmons |
1,900 |
10 |
Greg Dortch |
1,300 |
Source: Google
1) Kyler Murray
The face of the franchise, quarterback Kyler Murray led the way in average monthly searches, with 33,100.
Murray’s career has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows since arriving as the number one overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The 26-year-old is already a two-time Pro Bowler and holds career numbers of 13,848 passing yards, 84 touchdowns, to 41 interceptions.
Murray is equally as dangerous as a dual-threat option, amassing over 2,000 rushing yards and double-digit touchdowns in his four-year career.
While Murray had an impressive start as Arizona’s quarterback of the future, recent play has led fans to question his overall work ethic and it stands as no surprise that fans are keeping a keen eye on him heading into the season.
2,3 & 4) Budda Baker, James Connor & Colt McCoy
After Murray, there is a three-way tie for second place in average monthly searches. Star safety Budda Baker, running back James Connor, and backup quarterback Colt McCoy each clocked in at 5,400 average monthly searches according to the data.
Each player holds a significant level of importance on the Arizona Cardinals. Baker is widely regarded as the leader of the team’s secondary.
A young star at the safety position, the 27-year-old has five Pro Bowl appearances and three All-Pro selections to his name, routinely being mentioned among the best in the NFL. One can make the argument that he is currently the Cardinal’s best defensive player.
Connor was a third-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017, where he found a great deal of success as a primary rusher. That success has translated over to the desert.
In two years with the Cardinals, Connor made the Pro Bowl once, compiling 1,534 rushing yards on 385 attempts and 22 rushing touchdowns, with a career-high 15 coming during the 2021 season. Connor currently projects to once again be a leader out of the backfield for the Cardinals.
Colt McCoy has had a lengthy and successful career as a backup quarterback in the NFL. The 36-year-old has suited up with five franchises in his 12-year career, with the Cardinals making up the last two.
With the uncertain status surrounding franchise quarterback Kyler Murray and his recovery from a torn ACL he sustained last December, McCoy currently finds himself in a battle for the starting quarterback job with rookie Clayton Tune.
With 36 career starts to his name, and experience with the Cardinals group of skill position players, McCoy projects as a strong candidate to win the job.
5) Marquise Brown
Better known as “Hollywood,” Marquise Brown had a bit of an up-and-down season in his first year with the Cardinals.
The 26-year-old finished 2022 with 67 receptions for 709 yards and three touchdowns, with injuries only limiting the speedy wideout to 12 games last season.
With a lack of quality receiving options, Brown again profiles as the number one wideout in the Arizona Cardinals offense. He places number five in average monthly searches, with 4,400.
6) Zach Ertz
Coming in at sixth in average monthly searches is tight end Zach Ertz with 3,600. The veteran has experienced a career revival in the desert following a lengthy stay with the Philadelphia Eagles.
A trade between the Cardinals and Eagles brought Ertz to Arizona in 2021. His response? 74 receptions for 763 yards and five touchdowns, with the majority of those yards coming after the trade.
Entering 2023, the 33-year-old remains one of the more important skill players in the Arizona Cardinals offense and a popular presence among the fan base.
7) David Blough
Another quarterback found his way onto the list, with fellow backup David Blough averaging 2,400 monthly searches.
The veteran spent three years in Detroit as a reserve before making his way over to the Arizona Cardinals for the 2022 season.
Blough appeared in 2 games last season, completing 65.5% of his passes for 402 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Injury disaster struck the Cardinals quarterback room last season and Blough was one of the guys called upon to step into the pocket.
Looking ahead to 2023, Blough again projects to be a depth piece for the Arizona Cardinals at the quarterback position.
8 & 9) Rondale Moore & Isaiah Simmons
23-year-old wideout Rondale Moore and former linebacker Isaiah Simmons crack the eighth spot on Google’s search data, clocking in at 1,900 average monthly searches.
Largely tabbed as a breakout candidate for the Arizona Cardinals, Moore has yet to showcase that potential, finishing his first two seasons in the NFL with under 500 receiving yards. With the departure of DeAndre Hopkins to the Tennessee Titans, Moore could potentially be in line for a bigger role in 2023.
Simmons on the other hand did not pan out the way the Cardinals wanted. A first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the collegiate linebacker was transitioned to the safety spot to maximize his athleticism, with mixed results to show for it.
The team showed no further need for the 25-year-old, shipping him off to the New York Giants today for a 2024 seventh-round draft pick.
10) Greg Dortch
Coming in at the tenth spot with an average of 1,300 monthly searches, Greg Dortch’s rise to prominence is one of perseverance.
The former undrafted receiver carved out a significant role in the Cardinal’s receiving corps last season. The 25-year-old appeared in 16 games, recording 52 receptions for 467 yards and two touchdowns, all career highs.
Despite the tough obstacles Dortch faced to be here, he never wavered in the adversity, running head-on into the challenges that awaited him.
For that, Dortch expects to again be one of the primary wideouts on this young Arizona Cardinals team and an icon in the eyes of the fan base.
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