The Arizona Cardinals had a really bad run with their offseason moved last year. Their early free agent additions all ended up cut — Sam Bradford, Andre Smith, Bené Benwikere — or on injured reserve — Justin Pugh, Jeremy Cash.
However, one player they added in free agency actually worked out.
That was safety Tre Boston. He was signed very late in the game and played well overall.
He made Pro Football Focus’ list of free agent signings who paid off.
The safety market in free agency last year was inexplicably non-existent, even with a handful of talented names available. Coming off a season where he earned an 89.0 coverage grade, Boston had to settle for a one-year, $1.5 million deal with the Cardinals. He went to Arizona and proved that his 2017 season was no fluke. He picked off three passes and broke up seven more while earning a 78.2 coverage grade on the season.
Now the question is whether his play last year can net him a good contract. It probably won’t be with the Cardinals, as they already have three safeties under contract who can start and only two who will, as Budda Baker will be moved back from the slot.
Ideally, he will get a multi-year deal from a team. Free agency will begin next month and we will see what the safety market looks like then.
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