The Arizona Cardinals have four restricted free agents on their roster. If they wish, they can assure they remain on their roster in 2019 through a qualifying tender. With the increase in the salary cap, the three tenders are now all worth at least $2 million.
The original round tender or low tender will cost $2.025 million. A second-round tender is worth $3.095 million and a first-round tender is worth $4.407 million.
With all such tenders, the Cardinals can match any offer made to the player in free agency. If they choose not to match it, the team signing the player will give up draft compensation equal to the tender. In the case of former undrafted rookies, there is no draft compensation.
Arizona’s four restricted free agents are running back D.J. Foster, defensive tackle Olsen Pierre, linebacker Jeremy Cash and offensive lineman John Wetzel.
Should any of these players be tendered?
D.J. Foster
Foster’s season was lost in 2018 to a torn ACL. He had a strong offseason and training camp and appeared on track to making the team last season. However, it would have likely been as the final running back on the roster.
With a new coaching staff and with David Johnson and Chase Edmonds already headlining the running back room, while Foster could make a solid addition to the roster, paying him more than $2 million seems excessive.
It couldn’t hurt the Cardinals to re-sign him, but it is completely unnecessary to use one of the restricted free agent tenders.
Jeremy Cash
Cash also saw his season end before it even began with a torn ACL. He also was on track to make the team for his special teams play and knowledge of the defensive system. Coming off the injury, it is possible he could fit in Vance Joseph’s 3-4 defense but it is not certain. He does have the right size to play.
Again, like with Foster, paying him $2 million when he is perhaps an end-of-the-roster player seems unwise. It wouldn’t hurt to re-sign him but not using a tender.
John Wetzel
Wetzel has been incredibly valuable the last three seasons. His ability to play tackle and guard has been needed and he has started 24 games. The team, though, wants to upgrade the line. Do they include Wetzel in their plans?
It likely comes down to whether or not they view Korey Cunningham as a starter in 2019. If so, Wetzel would be a valuable player off the bench. If they bring in an established tackle, Cunningham then would be the guy off the bench.
Wetzel might be worth the tender because it isn’t guaranteed. But do they need to tender him to retain him? That is a different question.
Olsen Pierre
Last season wasn’t great for Pierre. He broke out in 2017 but disappeared in 2018 and ended up on injured reserve.
The Cardinals need bodies on the defensive line with the move back to a 3-4 defense and Pierre was best when playing in that scheme, collecting 5.5 sacks in 2017.
He is the one player of the group who could be worth the tender.
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