Cardinals WR depth chart: How does Robbie Anderson match after commerce?
NFL large receiver Robbie Anderson goes from the Carolina Panthers to the Arizona Cardinals, but it surely stays to be seen how he matches in on the depth chart.
As quickly as Panthers coach Steve Wilkes sent Robbie Anderson to the locker room, onlookers anticipated Anderson’s rumored commerce timeline to speed up on the velocity of sunshine. There was no manner Anderson discovered his manner again to the sphere after blatantly disrespecting his coaches and turning away from teammates, and true sufficient, commerce rumors turned true the very subsequent day.
In lower than 24 hours, the Panthers sent Anderson packing to a prepared commerce companion: the Arizona Cardinals. The Panthers accepted “undisclosed draft compensation for Anderson,” per NFL Community’s Nick Shook.
Whereas the small print stay to be seen, what might be ascertained is how the Cardinals will have the ability to deploy Anderson within the coming weeks.
How does Robbie Anderson match into Cardinals depth chart after Panthers commerce?
On the floor, seeing Anderson despatched to Glendale and paired with Kyler Murray looks as if a disproportionate win for the 29-year-old large receiver. In spite of everything, Anderson struggled in his 2021 season with the Panthers, and his argument with the coaches solely appeared to harm any case for a commerce. There wasn’t a lot to entice groups to start with, so why would the Cardinals spring for Anderson instantly?
In reality, the 2-4 Cardinals have been struggling by means of the primary six weeks of the season, shedding to the Seattle Seahawks 19-9 on Sunday. What’s worse is that in that loss, the Cardinals additionally misplaced large receiver Marquise Brown to a foot damage. Brown could possibly be out for the rest of the 2022 season.
That information might have pressured the Cardinals to tug the set off on buying and selling for Anderson that a lot sooner.
With out Brown for the foreseeable future, right here is who the Cardinals have at large receiver in response to their depth chart:
- DeAndre Hopkins
- Rondale Moore
- A.J. Inexperienced
- Greg Dortch
- Javon Wims
Hopkins’ six-week suspension lifts in Week 7, and Anderson is at the moment slotted in behind him. It ought to take Anderson at the least per week to catch onto the brand new playbook with a purpose to make any affect on the sphere, however plainly as soon as he joins on, he shall be welcomed on a group that desperately wants depth on the place.
In Sunday’s sport versus the Seahawks, tight finish Zach Ertz truly led the group in receptions. Rondale Moore was proper behind Ertz with six receptions totaling 49 yards, and Brown caught 5 receptions for 68 yards. Inexperienced caught two receptions for seven yards as he continues to be a non-factor within the offense — actually, it’s been Brown, Moore and Ertz.
Hopkins is coming off a suspension and a 2021 season shortened by injury, however he shall be coming in contemporary and able to steak downfield and reestablish his reference to Kyler Murray.
The operating again state of affairs additionally influences how Anderson will match into Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. Each James Conner and Darrel Williams are out, leaving Eno Benjamin and Keaontay Ingram. Benjamin caught a pair targets on Sunday, however the restricted run sport doubtless means the Cardinals will lean extra on passing.
Up to now, Anderson’s been generally known as a deep menace receiver due to how he was typically utilized with the Jets.
“I do know he’s had this moniker of being a deep man solely,” Carolina coach Matt Rhule stated in 2020 through ESPN. “However he has a novel capacity to trace the ball. He’s brave to catch the ball beneath. His catch-and-run expertise are excellent.”
“Possibly it was the system that he was in,” quarterback Teddy Bridgewater stated on the time. “You know the way this league works. Whenever you’re labeled a technique, that travels with you.”
Murray likes to throw the deep ball, however Anderson’s capacity to traverse the center on slant routes and carve up opposing defenses may supply Murray safety on key third-down conversions. Nonetheless, Anderson can dash for deep passes, however his capacity to do all of it might permit the Cardinals to be rather less predictable with Hopkins and Anderson lining up.
Though Anderson’s time with the Panthers got here to a bitter finish, there are highly effective elements that make his case in Arizona much more compelling. Anderson wants a contemporary begin, and so do the Cardinals. If Anderson can faucet into his 1,000-plus yard potential, this could be a win for all concerned.
