The Arizona Cardinals are expected to target an inside linebacker in free agency, as it was one of their biggest defensive weaknesses in 2019, especially in pass coverage. There are plenty of solid options, but most will be costly.
Who could be targets for the Cardinals?
Cory Littleton
Littleton has probably come up more than any other linebacker for a few reasons. He excels in coverage, having been a former defensive back. He is familiar, having played years for the Los Angeles Rams. And he fits in the Cardinals’ defense because defensive coordinator Vance Joseph runs a Wade Phillips defense. Phillips was DC for the Rams until he was let go this offseason.
It is estimated he will cost more than $10 million per year in a new contract but he would fit nicely, although he would buck a trend of the type of linebacker Joseph likes to have in his defenses.
His stats are staggering. In the last two seasons, he has averaged 130 tackles and has had 7.5 sacks, five interceptions, 22 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.
Joe Schobert
Schobert is built the way Joseph likes his linebackers. He is 6-1 and 245 pounds. He is great in coverage and considered sometimes a liability in the run game, although that would make him a nice complement to Jordan Hicks.
He also fills the stat sheet. Last season, he had 133 tackles, two sacks, four interceptions, nine pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
He likely will also command at least what Hicks got paid last year, when they signed him to a four-year deal worth $9 million per season.
Patrick Onwuasor
Onwuasor could be an option that costs less. He is another former defensive back like Littleton or former Cardinal Deone Bucannon, but is bigger than Bucannon was and not as fast.
However, he would be a good fit next to Hicks because he can just run to the ball. He had 64 tackles and three sacks for the Baltimore Ravens in 2019.
Blake Martinez
Martinez also has volume numbers but is not known for his pass coverage. However, he is built like a prototypical linebacker and is a very good player. He had 155 tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble and an interception in 2019.
He will command top dollar at his position. He wouldn’t necessarily fix the problems in coverage, but pairing him and Hicks would definitely give the Cardinals a very solid duo in the middle of the field.
Nick Kwiatkoski
Kwiatkoski comes from a very good Bears defense and has the size at linebacker Vance Joseph likes. He is also solid in coverage. He had 76 tackles, three sacks and an interception and probably will command less than what the Cardinals paid Hicks last offseason.
Neville Hewitt
Hewitt is a lesser-known name. He played the last two seasons for the New York Jets. He played and started 12 games last season and had 75 tackles, three sacks and two interceptions. He developed as a coverage linebacker and will not command the money that Littleton, Schobert or Martinez will.
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