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The sweat may be pooling up in all the wrong places, but, before you know it, changing leaves, cool temperatures and football will be in the air. To help fantasy managers and devoted bettors get through summer’s soaring heat, The Gaming Juice’s resident gridiron gambler, Brad Evans, is here to preview each NFL franchise — fantasy values, prop picks and team win totals. Channeling Richard Dent, Reggie White and J.J. Watt, the Three-Point Stance has eyes on sacking the sportsbooks and fantasy rivals.
Today’s featured squad: Arizona Cardinals.
Fantasy value — James Conner, RB (ADP: 57.5, RB20)
This is far from stumbling across a gem mint 1986-87 Fleer Michael Jordan rookie card at a random yard sale, but if you collect the Arizona running back at the Round 4-5 turn in 12-team leagues, you could score long-term riches.
As usual, Conner is terribly underrated. He’s again the projected workhorse in a healthy offensive environment highlighted by a better-than-you-think offensive line. Emerging bruiser Trey Benson will supplant him on occasion, but a less-is-more outcome is an appropriate viewpoint. Conner’s 66.3% opportunity share last season will likely remain intact.
What’s most attractive about “The Terminator” is the Hollywood script he has on tap. Among this year’s batch of fantasy backs, only Bijan Robinson and Saquon Barkley have easier fantasy RB strength of schedules.
[ NFL Gamer's Guide: Fantasy forecasts and futures bets for 2025 season ]
Also, Conner was an advanced metrics marvel in 2024. In 16 games, he finished in the top 10 among qualifying RBs in yards created per touch (4.27), yards after contact per attempt (3.30) and total missed tackles forced (68). He excelled as a receiver too, as evidenced by his RB7 finish in catch rate (85.5%) and 47 total receptions.
Ageists will knock him for being 30, but Conner will prove it’s nothing but a number. His three-down skill set, divine slate and general efficiency suggest he has at least another stellar season left in him.
At his current ADP, he's a tremendous buying opportunity. Head coach Jonathan Gannon’s “two starting backs” comment from earlier this offseason continues to drive Conner’s price down. Prey on the skittish.
Prop pick — Marvin Harrison Jr. 1,000 or more receiving yards (+115, DraftKings)
With a year of experience, added muscle and status as Kyler Murray’s top receiver weapon, the former Buckeye isn’t likely to crack. Harrison has displayed a different swagger during offseason workouts, and the increased comfort and confidence could unlock the soon-to-be 23-year-old’s true potential.
Though Harrison didn’t deliver on the fantasy WR top-10 hype in his rookie campaign, he thrived in a couple of noteworthy areas. He finished No. 6 in total air yards (1566), No. 7 in deep ball targets (26) and No. 10 in total route wins (216). In other words, he showcased the necessary downfield skills to make steady splashy plays. If his chemistry with Murray improves (Harrison posted only a 72.0 passer rating when targeted in ‘24), he could joyfully squeal as Arizona’s targets hog.
Harrison does possess the third-hardest WR fantasy strength of schedule and finished with a mere 885 receiving yards last season, but given his tender age, remarkable talents and presumed path to at least 125 targets, he’s a hold ‘em river worth chasing. It would be no surprise if he races past 1,100 yards, let alone 1,000.
Team lean — Cardinals OVER 8.5 regular-season wins (-120, BetMGM)
Gannon’s group could stack the wins in the Sonoran. With his coaching chops sharpening and Arizona featuring arguably top-15 units on offense and defense, it’s entirely buyable — even in a very competitive NFC West.
ESPN’s Mike Clay projects 8.7 victories for the Desert Birds, giving them a 50% or greater win probability in eight games. A midseason stretch at Indianapolis, vs. Green Bay, at Dallas and at Seattle presents a series of coin-flip matchups. If the Cardinals go 2-2 over that span and don’t stub toes in other winnable affairs, the OVER will be achieved.
Holding an “Arizona to lose in the wild-card round” ticket at +300, this gambler is banking on the Cardinals to fly high in the regular season.