The Arizona Cardinals have an extraordinarily important offseason ahead of them. They have a large chunk of salary cap space for the first time in a few years. They’ll have to capitalize on the right free agents and how to handle allocating those resources.
Today we will be answering some of the burning questions surrounding the Arizona Cardinals.
What position is the most important for the Cardinals to target in free agency?
Alex Sutton:
Outside of an incredible Defensive Player of the Year campaign by OLB Chandler Jones, the Cardinals defense just didn’t have the personnel to generate consistent pressure on the quarterback. Getting someone to line up opposite Jones is paramount for the Cardinals. Finding another top-tier edge rusher would take pressure off Jones, potentially allowing him to be even more dominant. More consistent pressure would also help the young Cardinals secondary as they look to take the next step in year two. Options there include Markus Golden (NYG), Bud Dupree (PIT), and Matthew Judon (BAL).
Jess Root:
While another edge rusher would be good and I expect the, to address outside linebacker, they absolutely have to add another inside linebacker. The defensive line issues they had were mostly the result of injuries. They need to add talent there, but the most important position is next to Jordan Hicks. It won’t come cheaply, though. Corey Littleton and Joe Schobert are possibilities.
Should the Cardinals pay top-dollar for free agent RB Kenyan Drake?
Alex:
Drake was a fantastic player for the Cardinals in 2019. He provided a spark in his first game as a Cardinal against the stout 49ers defense. Drake consistently proved his worth as a starter in this league throughout the rest of the season, with emphasis on his performances against the Cleveland Browns and the Seattle Seahawks. Despite this, the Cardinals have many other holes to fill this offseason(a talented edge rusher is extraordinarily expensive). I hope Kenyan gets the money he deserves for him and his family, but the Cardinals cannot allocate a top-dollar contract to the running back position right now. They will very likely offer him a fair deal, but it’s possible another team offers more.
Jess:
I am torn. Drake was clearly a better fit for the Cardinals than David Johnson. The problem is, unless the contract for Drake is structured right, there isn’t any viable way to have both Drake and Johnson on the roster together, and it looks less and less likely they will be able to trade Johnson.
If Drake is truly seeking $8-$10 million per year, then definitely no. If they can get him for three years and $16.5 million, then you can make that work.
Of course, drafting a running back and keeping Johnson another year might make the most sense. At the top of the second round, there will be some very talented backs available.
Who’s one free agent you’d love to see on the Cardinals?
Alex:
Cory Littleton, ILB, Rams
Littleton is a pro in coverage from his inside linebacker position, something the Cardinals desperately need. For a defense plagued by an inability to cover opposing tight ends and running backs, Littleton is the perfect match should the Rams fail to re-sign him. Jordan Hicks was a great addition to this defense and is a leader on the team. Hicks specializes in stopping the run, Littleton plays in coverage. A duo of Hicks and Littleton would be incredible for this football team.
Jess:
Joe Schobert, ILB, Browns
While Littleton is a perfect fit, he is a little leaner than what Vance Joseph has traditionally used at linebacker. Schobert is the traditional linebacker at 6-1 and 245 pounds. He also was very productive, picking off four passes last season, breaking up nine passes and collecting 133 tackles. And we know he is not going to return to the Browns.
Who should the pick be at No. 8 for the Cardinals come April?
Alex:
There are quite a few intriguing options for the Cardinals sitting at the eighth overall pick. Most mock drafts have had the team taking a WR or an OT. Either way, the overwhelming consensus has been to surrounding Kyler Murray with as much talent as possible. While many Cardinals fans have their sights set on Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons or Ohio State’s Jeff Okudah, their recent combine performances suggest the two will be gone by the time Steve Keim is on the clock.
Re-Sign Justin Murray or Marcus Gilbert, and take the top tackle remaining at the top of the second round. Take CeeDee Lamb and don’t look back.
Jess:
The truth is, there isn’t one player I want them to take. I really like a lot of the options. Lamb makes a ton of sense. So does Tristan Wirfs. If Isaiah Simmons or Jeff Okudah are somehow on the board, they are my first choices. I like tackles Wirfs, Mekhi Becton and Jedrick Mills. I wouldn’t mind Jerry Jeudy or even Henry Ruggs because I think he would be great and also the right fit for what the Cardinals need at receiver. I am good with any of those players. They all look like they will be good and would all make sense.
If given a fair offer, should the Cardinals move down in the draft to acquire more picks?
Alex:
While it would certainly be tempting to acquire more draft capital, I believe a team looking to make a big jump needs elite talent that makes those around them better. With pick No. 8, and with the pool of QB-needy teams ahead of them, the Cardinals will have elite talent available to them. For their much-anticipated jump in 2020 to come to fruition, they must take the best player and stay put with the eighth pick.
Jess:
I would consider it. Since I have several players I like, if a team a few picks back wants to trade up and I can still land one of them, it’s a good move. Also, keep an eye on their second-round pick. That might be the pick to move back from. They have an early fourth-round pick and then don’t have another one until late on the sixth round, so that might be a way to get something between those picks.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
Ep. 259
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