AZ Cardinal Free Agents

The Arizona Cardinals have a WHOLE lot of work to do in Free Agency and in the NFL draft. The mood around Phoenix and Arizona is the team had a major let down and expectations are with 2 stars coming back for sure next year that it is Super Bowl or Bust. If the Cardinals had played to their full capability this year, they could have challenged the Falcons for NFC champs.

Let’s look at the IMPRESSIVE list of Arizona Cardinal players who are about to enter Free Agency:

DE Calais Campbell – defensive leader but does he give enough to offer a long term high dollar deal?

TE Jermaine Gresham – Severely talented but if the price goes too high, do they use the TE enough to justify $6M a year on Gresham?

DT Frostee Rucker - A force inside, I really think they need to re-sign him. At 33 not to a long term deal but maybe 2 years.

OLB Chandler Jones – The Cardinals will use their franchise tag on Jones if a deal can’t be worked at this point. I’d rather get him signed! I think OLB Chandler Jones really made the Cardinal pass rush that much better and especially OLB Marcus Golden.

SS Tony Jefferson – Apparently it will take $7-$8M a year to sign SS Tony Jefferson and that may not be enough. I think the Cardinals have depth here and can withstand losing Jefferson, but wow, I’d really like to see him back. I’m starting to wonder if it isn’t SS Tony Jefferson that should have gotten what FS Tyrann Mathieu just got paid due to his injury worries.

SS D.J. Swearinger – D.J. had an amazing year this year in the Cardinal secondary. SS D.J. Swearinger was an amazing tackler and the Cardinals need this skill next year. He has to come back and at age 25, he would be a leader on this team.

RB Chris Johnson – I believe CJ2K will be back with the Cardinals next year in a backup role. Do it CJ2K!

ILB Kevin Minter – I believe the Cardinals will offer him a decent contract but he could be wanted elsewhere and the Cardinals be outbid. Obviously LB Rueben Foster (Alabama) at #13 in round 1 would be an amazing replacement and hopefully make people forget about LB Darryl Washington finally.

CB Mike Jenkins – thought to be the guy on the opposite side of CB Patrick Peterson, the injury bug never allowed us to really see what he could do. It would be good for depth if he came back on an NFL Minimum deal.

C A.Q. Shipley – I believe the Cards will tender him an offer which is pretty good. My guess is he will be back this season.

ILB Sio Moore – This youngster (26) filled in greatly last year and brought it on special teams. I would like to see him brought back at a reasonable price. I can’t see big $$ coming his way from the Cardinals.

G Taylor Boggs – a RFA that most likely will be offered another 1 year deal if no major interest is shown in Free Agency. He would need to be a camp body and may not make the team.

WR Jeremy Ross – He most likely will get the NFL Minimum offer from the Cardinals or just test free agency. I don’t believe Ross is highly in the Cards plans for next year.

OLB Alex Okafor - I believe OLB Alex Okafor has a very good and big role on this team. When Jones or Golden need a breather, I trust OLB Alex Okafor to rush the passer and contain. For depth, I would like Okafor back next year.

RT Earl Watford – RT Earl Watford was key this past year to keeping QB Carson Palmer healthy. Watford needs to be re-signed.

TE Darren Fells – If you can’t get Gresham, you need TE Darren Fells. Period.

ILB Zaviar Gooden – He’ll have to be a camp body who makes the team. He is a RFA so I’m sure they will test the market out there. This is a no risk situation for the Cards.

CB Brian Dixon – He’ll have to be a camp body who makes the team. He is a RFA so I’m sure they will test the market out there. This is a no risk situation for the Cards.

RB Stepfan Taylor – a fan favorite, Taylor is solid, always moves forward and is 25 years old! I don’t think a 2-3 year contract is our of the question.

RB Andre Ellington – The talent is there. Can the talent stay healthy? I’d like to see a one year contract for Ellington to see what he can do this year. Ellington can bring it, and I’d like to see Ellington and Johnson and Johnson !! RB Kerwynn Williams and RB Eliijhaa Penny to me are more talented than Taylor but they trust Taylor with the ball.

CB Marcus Cooper – Wow! He was worth every penny this year. The CB Brandon Williams experiment failed (not dead!) and Marcus Cooper stepped up and played very well. He is in line for a decent contract.

ILB Gabe Martin – Martin is a RFA. My guess is the Cardinals will allow Martin to test free agency and see if they want to match.

PK Chandler Catanzaro – RFA - The Cardinals will bring in some competition for him this off-season for sure. The Cardinals will force Catanzaro to win the position at camp if he doesn’t sign elsewhere.

P Matt Wile – The Cardinals will sign several for camp. This is an area that needs improving. The Cards only need to offer the NFL minimum as an Exclusive Rights Free Agent (ERFA)

DT Olsen Pierre – They may offer him a 1 year deal to see if he can come back and make the team. The Cards only need to offer the NFL minimum as an Exclusive Rights Free Agent (ERFA)

RT John Wetzel - This 25 year old will get a contract offer for sure and be kept. The Cards only need to offer the NFL minimum as an Exclusive Rights Free Agent (ERFA)

I am fearing that DE Calais Campbell has played his last game as a Cardinal unless he will take a major pay cut. The same goes for SS Tony Jefferson. The Cardinals have a ton to figure out as they look to field a competitive team that can challenge for the Super Bowl.

I have not even discussed upcoming Free Agents the Cardinals may be interested in. That may be next week J

Go Cardinals! 2017 will Rock!

End.