The Arizona Cardinals have slowed in free agency but are likely not done quite yet. They might have signed their last starter, but there are players that still could interest Steve Keim and Kliff Kingsbury from a depth or rotational standpoint. After all, Keim is known for handing out some short term “prove-it” deals.
And, unfortunately for Arizona, barring any unforeseen cap-savings moves like other trades or cuts, they don’t have a ton to spend.
Here are nine options.
S Damarious Randall
Randall likely will be linked to Arizona since he went to Arizona State. He might be too expensive for what Arizona is wanting to spend, although he might take a Steve Keim one year prove-it deal. The Cardinals right now are counting on second-year player Jalen Thompson to be a starter right now.
DL Zach Kerr
Kerr played well enough for Arizona down the stretch last year that he could be brought back for defensive line depth.
OL Marcus Gilbert
Gilbert was robbed in a way of playing last year by getting injured in Week 1 before the first game of the season. For the right price, he could be brought back as competition for Justin Murray at best, and valuable depth at worst should he stay healthy (which has been his biggest flaw).
RB Ameer Abdullah
Abdullah will forever be linked to Arizona since video surfaced of Steve Keim wanting to draft him in 2015. This time around it may be only for practical reasons. The Cardinals could use a returner and depth at running back, as now they have only two backs on the roster in Kenyan Drake and Chase Edmonds. Abdullah provides both.
CB Prince Amukamara
Amukamara would provide credibility across from Patrick Peterson as well as create competition with Robert Alford. Not to mention, he is originally from the Valley. He’s also taken his own share of short term deals.
TE Charles Clay
Clay is certainly not the long term answer at tight end but given the lack of other options in the draft and in free agency and given his familiarity with the offense, it makes some sense to bring him back on a one-year deal. According to local radio host for Arizona Sports 98.7 FM John Gambadoro, the Cardinals are interested in re-signing him.
S Blake Countess
If a safety is brought in after the re-addition of Chris Banjo, it will either be purely for depth or for their special teams play. Countess would be a body to be brought in for depth and has played in a 3-4 with the LA Rams.
DL Adam Gotsis
Maybe Arizona does indeed sign an ex-Broncos defensive lineman, just not one of the ones that everyone thinks. Most believe the Cardinals are interested in Derek Wolfe. Gotsis would be much cheaper but would know Joseph’s system and would provide key depth.
WR Dwayne Harris
Harris might be a bit of a reach, but if Arizona wants someone to cover returns for them on a one-year deal and figure out what to do next year, you could do worse than Harris, who has become known throughout the NFL as a solid returner, having led the league in punter return average in 2018.
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