The NFC Championship Game features the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers. Between the two teams, there are a number of pending free agents who could be targeted by the Arizona Cardinals in March when free agency officially begins.
Who could be on the Cardinals’ radar?
49ers DL Arik Armstead
Armstead had a breakout season in 2019. He had nine career sacks in three previous seasons. He had 10 in 2019. The Cardinals need help on the defensive line and could target a big-ticket player. Armstead would be such a player and would immediately upgrade the defensive front and give the Cardinals an interior threat to counter Chandler Jones off the edge.
49ers WR Emmanuel Sanders
Sanders has not had a 1,000-yard season since 2016 and he will be 33 years old next season. After the failure of the Michael Crabtree signing last year, one might not want to think a veteran receiver would be a possibility. However, he was still productive after the 49ers acquired him. had 36 receptions for 502 yards and three touchdowns for the 49ers and finished the season with 66 catches for 869 yards and five scores.
He only dropped two passes last season. Even with the return of Larry Fitzgerald, Sanders would bring needed experience to the receiver room.
Packers OT Bryan Bulaga
Bulaga is 31 years old but is one of the best options on the market at right tackle. He might not command the amount of money that a younger player like Jack Conklin might, but he would upgrade the position immediately.
One concern — durability. He did not miss a game in 2019 but missed two in 2018 and 11 in 2017.
Packers OLB Kyler Fackrell
Fackrell grew up on Mesa, Arizona so he could return home like Terrell Suggs and so many other players have the last couple of seasons. Only this time, Fackrell is young. He had a down year in 2019, picking up only one sack but is one season removed from having 10.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and 12 quarterback hits in 2018.
He won’t command a large contract and could provide potentially some high-end production.
Packers ILB Blake Martinez
If the Cardinals really want to make a splash at linebacker, they could pair Jordan Hicks with Martinez. All he has done is have at least 140 tackles each of the last three seasons. He had 155 tackles this year to go with three sacks, an interception and a forced fumble.
He will cost a lot but the combo of Hicks and Martinez would potentially be one of the best duos in the league.
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