The Arizona Cardinals are looking for a spark in their offense for the 2025 season. That may start with their receiving corps.
Last year, the Cardinals mostly found themselves around the middle of the pack among the rest of the league in offensive categories. However, their passing game ranked worse than most, at 18th in the league, averaging 214.1 yards per game.
Granted, a lot of that has to do with quarterback Kyler Murray, who is without a doubt in a prove-it season. Murray certainly has the weapons, too.
He has former first-round pick Marvin Harrison Jr., along with this year's free agent pickup Zay Jones, not to mention tight end Trey McBride. However, CBS Sports' Garrett Podell believes that the receiver who could make a surprising impact for Arizona and its offense is none other than Michael Wilson.
"Pro Bowl tight end Trey McBride and 2024 fourth overall pick wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. get the spotlight with the Arizona Cardinals, but 2023 third-round pick wide receiver Michael Wilson could be on the verge of a breakout in 2025," Podell wrote. "He was third on the team in targets (71), catches (47) and receiving yards (548) in 2024, but quarterback Kyler Murray thinks Wilson has the ability to be a 1,000-yard receiver."
As WR3, Wilson has posted 500-plus yard seasons in each of his two years, with a total of seven touchdowns. His quarterback believes he can go well beyond that.
"Mike [Wilson] is a 1,000-yard receiver. I truly believe Mike can have 1,000 yards and be very comparable to the guys we see doing it year in and year out," Murray said on April 9, via PHNX Cardinals podcast. "It's all about opportunities, staying healthy and the connection we have on the field, but ... he's got it. He can play receiver."
Podell believes that will go a long way in Wilson having a breakout year in 2025.
"Given that kind of belief from his quarterback, Wilson could make a huge leap in the coming season," Podell added.
If Wilson does have a breakout season, along with the pieces of the offense clicking, the Cardinals could be headed back to the playoffs for the first time in four years.