The Arizona Cardinals' receiving core is talented. Larry Fitzgerald, Michael Floyd and rookie John Brown can all catch the football. Running back Andre Ellington is a fantastic option out of the backfield. But that group talent seems to be undermining their fantasy value. Each week it seems a different Arizona pass catcher steps up. This week it was Brown, who exploded for his first 100-yard game Sunday that included a game-winning 75-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Larry Fitzgerald also had himself a nice day, catching seven passes for 160 yards and a touchdown.
"Fitzgerald and Brown showed how dynamic Arizona's passing game can be with [Carson] Palmer leading it," ESPN's Josh Weinfuss wrote.
"We're a pretty well-built offense," Palmer said. "I think we have a lot of things you can't key on. There are a lot of guys you have to worry about. Obviously, Larry is going to get a lot of that key from a defense that is going to be very keen on where he is in a formation because his motions and adjustments are right before the snap."
The bevy of options in the Cardinals offensive arsenal has kept the fantasy output of everyone not named Ellington at a very inconsistent level. Floyd has been held under 50 yards in five games this season, while Fitzgerald broke the 100-yard mark for the first time this year on Sunday.
ESPN Fantasy expert Mike Clay explains that Floyd's value going forward will be based on his ability to get open deep for long scores.
"In the four games since their Week 4 bye, the Cardinals' target distribution has not been as expected," Clay wrote. "Andre Ellington paces the team with 29 targets. He's followed by Larry Fitzgerald (26), John Brown (26), Michael Floyd (18) and John Carlson (17). You read that correctly: Floyd is fourth in the category, averaging 4.5 targets per game, and is barely ahead of Carlson. Common sense suggests Floyd's usage will rise, but with Brown emerging into one of the league's top No. 3 wideouts, it's unlikely to see a huge boost. There is hope, however, especially in non-PPR leagues. Floyd's 19.8 aDOT is highest in the league among players with 40 or more targets. Production figures to be inconsistent, but Floyd is going to score a handful of long touchdowns down the stretch."
So start a Cardinals receiver at your own risk. They all have high boom-or-bust potential in a given week.