Fansided

5 NFL teams that are going to surprise as contenders

By Matt Verderame

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 15: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills in action against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 15, 2019 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 15: Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills in action against the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 15, 2019 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 29: Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals passes the ball during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 29: Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals passes the ball during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

4. Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals might surprise some people in 2020. Consider the following:

Arizona added three-time All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins at wideout. Hopkins is 27 years old, playing at an elite level and on a palatable contract. The Cardinals somehow offloaded the horrible contract of running back David Johnson in the deal and kept their first-round pick. Incredible.

Meanwhile, free agency brought defensive tackle Jordan Phillips to the desert on a three-year pact. Phillips is a nice pass-rusher, having notched an AFC-best 9.5 sacks from the interior in 2019 with the Buffalo Bills. Combined with Chandler Jones, Arizona’s front seven is headed in the right direction.

The big key here is landing some impact players in the draft. The Cardinals are almost surely going to take a eft tackle with their first pick, someone such as Mekhi Becton of Louisville, Jedrick Wills of Alabama, Tristan Wirfs of Iowa or Georgia’s Andrew Thomas.

Protecting reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Kyler Murray is the top priority moving forward.