How to revive or how to do even better? The editorial team of touchdownactu offers you a point of view franchise by franchise: inventory of strengths and weaknesses as well as ideas for the market and the draft. Today: the Arizona Cardinals.
All that for this. After recruiting high-sounding names like JJ Watt or AJ Green, the Cardinals started the 2021 season with a bang. After nine games, they were 8 wins to 1 loss, shaping up as the big favorites in the league while Kyler Murray had an option on the MVP trophy. Then, DeAndre Hopkins was injured, and the season ended with five defeats in six games, including a final elimination against the Rams in the Wild Card round.
After 3 years, Murray has played only one playoff game, for no victory. Rumors of tension between him and the franchise are growing. Next year will be key.
The owners
1. Kyler Murray (QB)
2. DeAndre Hopkins (WR)
3. Budda Baker (S)
The situation with Kyler Murray is not necessarily simple (see below) but the Cardinals can at least reassure themselves of having an extremely talented quarterback still under his rookie contract at their head, which is an exceptional richness in the league.
Behind DeAndre Hopkins has scored as many touchdowns in 10 games (8) as AJ Green (5) and Christian Kirk (3) in 33 combined games. The former Texans player remains one of the best receivers in the league. Baker is one of the best safeties in the league.
Undesirables
–Jordan Hicks (LB)
The Cardinals cracked on defense in their playoff loss, and they weren’t helped by their linebackers. The Cardinals’ inside linebacker isn’t providing enough coverage. Above all, it is one of the only imaginable cuts from a team in difficulty against the cape, which it is difficult to see how it would separate from Hopkins or even from its left tackle JJ Humphries, despite its faults and its price (15 million). Arizona would save $6.5 million without his services, and has an obvious replacement in 2021 16th pick Zaven Collins. Unless his contract is renegotiated, Hicks should leave.
Man of the Summer: Kyler Murray (QB)
The offseason is already hectic for Phoenix, and Murray is the main reason. The quarterback began by deleting all mention of the Cardinals from social media. The Cardinals responded in the worst way by letting it transpire that the quarterback would lack maturity and would not yet be the leader they expect. Now, Murray is asking for a new contract, and this when he has one year left on his rookie contract, not counting the optional fifth year that the Cardinals can activate.
Whatever their outcome, these turmoils risk disrupting the preparation for the 2022 season, while Steve Keim (GM) and Kliff Kingsbury (Coach) have been extended until 2027.
The main free agents
1. Chandler Jones ((DE)
2. Zach Ertz (TE)
3. James Conner (RB)
4. AJ Green (WR)
5. Christian Kirk (WR)
The names are up to the challenges facing the Cardinals this offseason. Arizona has no interest in seeing any of these players leave, and yet choices will have to be made. With twenty million cap available, the Cardinals can not afford to splurge. For AJ Green, this seems compromised. The former Bengals star hasn’t been bad. But 3 touchdowns and 848 yards may not be enough compared to the 8 million he cost last year.
Zach Ertz is a priority. With 574 yards and 3 touchdowns in just 11 games since joining the Eagles, the tight end has shown a good start to connecting with Murray that it would be a shame to cut.
The real sacrifice is likely to be called Chandler Jones. With only 10.5 sacks, Jones did not sign his best year, far from it. Only, he remains one of the only safe bets on the Cardinals’ defensive line. Given his pedigree, he is on the roster of many franchises, and should be able to get a very big contract. It therefore looks too difficult for the Cardinals to get him, which will create a gaping hole.
Top 5 Needs
1. Defensive line
2.Cornerback
3. Receivers
4. Offensive line
5. Inside Linebackers
Between the expected departure of Chandler Jones and the failing health of JJ Watt, the Cardinals defensive line enters next season with various unknowns. We will have to find solutions, both externally and internally.
At the cornerback position, it’s not much better. On the outside, Robert Alford was good, his absence at the end of the season weighed heavily on the drop in defense speed. Marco Wilson, sophomore, cannot be a mainstay. Only Byron Murphy provides slot guarantees, but that’s meager.
At the reception, the Cardinals have talent, but no real solid number 2 behind DeAndre Hopkins. Andy Isabella is in the transfer market, Christian Kirk and AJ Green are free agents: there is room for a quality addition.
Target: Casey Hayward (CB)
As we said, the Cardinals need experience and consistency at the corner post. Barring an all-in, the Cards shouldn’t be able to afford a CJ Jackson, especially given their pass rush needs. Without being the best corner in the league, Hayward at 32 has a full career behind him and above all few injuries. He’s coming off a full year with the Raiders, and he’s only missed 3 games in 5 years. It would be a good start to recreate a solid defense.
Another possibility: Akiem Hicks (EDGE)
New blood: David Ojabo (EDGE)
It’s obvious Ojabo won’t fill the Cardinals’ pass rush needs right away if Chandler Jones leaves. Asking a rookie chosen in 23rd position to replace Jones is impossible anyway. David Ojabo is clearly not yet fully developed, but he is coming off a hot season in Michigan and his potential will inevitably attract in the draft. To find a long-term solution on their defensive line, the Cardinals would do well to take advantage of it. If Arizona is going for a cornerback, Roger McGreary (CB) should be available.
