No one expected the Arizona Cardinals to make the playoffs this season. All people anticipated was that they would be an entertaining team to watch, and that is exactly what they were.

While the Cardinals are still clearly a few pieces away from becoming truly scary, Arizona was a fun club to monitor throughout the year, mainly because of rookie quarterback Kyler Murray.

But it wasn't all about Murray.

There were numerous other Cards players who had seasons worthy of our attention.

Here are the three Cardinals players who improved most in 2019:

3. Christian Kirk

Christian Kirk, Cardinals, Bengals
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The general expectation was that Christian Kirk was slated for a rather big season in 2019, and while he didn't have a monster year, he certainly showed progression from his rookie campaign in 2018.

In 13 games, Kirk hauled in 68 receptions for 709 yards and three touchdowns, representing Murray's second-most reliable threat behind Larry Fitzgerald.

With Fitzgerald potentially retiring this offseason, Kirk could take center stage as Arizona's No. 1 receiver in 2020, and based on what we saw from him this year, he seems ready for it.

While Kirk doesn't have great size and doesn't have the breakaway speed of some of the other NFL's top wide receivers, he clearly has the fundamentals down, and he has just enough athleticism to beat his man off the line of scrimmage.

2. Kenyan Drake

Kenyan Drake, Cardinals
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Kenyan Drake is an interesting case because he started the 2019 campaign with the Miami Dolphins before being dealt to the Cardinals ahead of the Week 8 trade deadline.

Drake was an entirely different running back in Arizona, rushing for 643 yards and eight touchdowns in eight games while averaging a hefty 5.2 yards per carry.

The eight-game stretch Drake had with the Cards was, by far, the best run of his professional career, and even in a crowded backfield that includes David Johnson and Chase Edmonds, Drake has seemed to become the No. 1 back.

Drake always displayed talent in Miami and was actually a very efficient runner, but the opportunities were just never there for him. Now, he is in a place that certainly appears to value him more, and it is paying off.

1. Budda Baker

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Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk.

Benjamin Adducchio ·

Budda Baker, Cardinals

He may not be a household name, but Budda Baker has developed into one of the league's best safeties. The 24-year-old racked up 147 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and six passes defended this season, earning his second Pro Bowl selection.

Baker also made the Pro Bowl and earned a First-Team All-Pro selection during his rookie campaign back in 2017, but he was not nearly as productive then as he is now.

The University of Washington product is almost like a mini linebacker out there, displaying both great run-stopping prowess and fine coverage ability.

The Cardinals are certainly not known for their defense, as they finished dead last in the NFL in yards allowed and 28th in scoring defense this season, but in guys like Baker and stud pass rusher Chandler Jones, they have some of the best players in the game at their respective positions.

They just need to upgrade other areas.