To prepare for an NFL season, it starts with an audit: what are the strengths and weaknesses of the workforce? Then, how to strengthen via the market and the draft? The editorial staff of DNA of Sports invites you to take stock of the off-season of the 32 franchises. Today the Arizona Cardinals
After a promising 2021 season that rewarded coach/GM duo Kliff Kingsbury-Steve Kaim and quarterback Kyler Murray, the Cardinals have fallen from a height in the 2022 season. From the suspension of DeAndre Hopkins to the announcement of the retirement of JJ Watt and AJ Green, through the serious injury of Kyler Murray, nothing was going the way of the Arizona franchise. 2022 ends with a disastrous record of 4 wins and 13 losses and a last place in the NFC West division.
Logiuely, the Kingsbury-Kaim duo took the door. They were replaced by Monti Ossenfort, a former Titans GM. And at the time of writing, we don’t yet know who Kliff Kingsbury’s successor will be.
Nevertheless, whatever the coach, their objective is common for 2023: to start a new cycle. But many questions arise: what quarterback at the start of the season and especially with what workforce, where the inmates can be counted on the fingers of one hand. It is therefore necessary to renew the workforce in order to hope for a better season than the previous one.
The owners
1. Kyler Murray (QB)
2. Jalen Thompson (S)
3. Budda Baker (S)
Seriously injured in the 2022 season and likely out for the start of the 2023 season, Kyler Murray remains the Cardinals’ main offensive threat, whether passing or grounding. It remains to be seen what state he will be in when he resumes his place during next season.
The other essential players are in defense, and especially in the secondary. Safety duo Jalen Thompson-Budda Baker made 221 tackles between them. The first was rewarded during the season with a nice contract. While the second, despite a less impressive season than in previous years, remains one of the leaders and one of the safe bets of this team.
Undesirables
– Robbie Anderson (WR)
– Markus Golden (OLB)
The trade Arizona made to get Robbie Anderson failed. The receiver, who arrived from the Panthers during the season, did not register a touchdown and seemed to have no chemistry with Kyler Murray during his rare appearances. Plus, it wouldn’t cost a penny if it had to be cut.
Aged 32 and over in his prime years, Markus Golden has regressed well after a successful first season in Arizona (2.5 sacks). Cutting it would allow young Myjai Sanders and Cameron Thomas to settle permanently on the defensive line, and also to clean up the finances of the Cardinals.
The summer man
– Monti Ossenfort (GM)
The former director of player personnel for the Titans has two missions. First, find a new coach who can help and develop Kyler Murray. Something that is not easy since according to several sources, some potential candidates have expressed the problem of working with the quarterback for several years.
Along with finding a new coach, the new general manager’s other priority is: trader DeAndre Hopkins. The receiver is going to cost a lot of money in the payroll for the 2023 season ($30 million). The trader could allow to rebuild around a younger group with probable draft choices on which he will be able to rebuild.
If he succeeds in this, he will have already accomplished a good part of his mission in the short term.
The main free agents
1. Byron Murphy Jr.(CB)
2. Zach Allen (DE)
3. Kelvin Beachum (OT)
4. Greg Dortch (WR)
5. Will Hernandez (OL)
Other free agents: Justin Pugh (OL), Billy Price (OL), Nick Vigil (S), Kamu Grugier-Hill (LB), Ben Niemann (LB), Cody Ford (OL), Max Garcia (OL), Maxx Williams (YOU)
If Byron Murphy has only played half of the 2022 season (9 games), he remains a sure bet in the Cardinals secondary. Especially since after Marco Wilson, there is not much in this position in quality and Antonio Hamilton will be on the market, so re-signing him should be a priority.
Author of his best career season with 5.5 sacks, Zach Allen is young (26) and has progressed in the shadow of JJ Watt. Arizona will therefore have to deal with competition with teams that could offer him a salary between 8 and 10 million per year.
Finally, the offensive line is aging. In addition to Kelvin Beahcum, the only offensive lineman to have started every game, but who is 34, Will Hernandez, Justin Pugh, and Cody Ford are also out of contract. They do not give enough guarantees despite their number of years of experience in the NFL, and should not continue the adventure with the franchise.
Top 5 Needs
1. Edge rusher
2. Offensive line
3. Defensive Tackle
4. Running back
5.Cornerback
There are many needs for the Cardinals in order to be able to start on a good footing. Lines should be the team’s priority in the offseason. Apart from JJ Watt, no player exceeded 10 sacks last season. The offensive line is aging and needs to be renewed. Apart from Josh Jones and DJ Humphries, the other players are out of contract. New blood is expected.
In positions that require playmakers, running back and cornerback positions should be considered. James Conner has had a good season but may need support next season. Byron Murphy at the end of his contract and Marco Wilson not giving enough guarantees, having new blood and a shutdown cornerback should be one of the priorities during this off-season.
Target
– Isaac Seumalo (OL, Eagles)
With very little money in the payroll ($14 million), the Cardinals will have to be smart about free agency.
The offensive line gave up 46 sacks in 2022. Many of those sacks came from inside the line. Isaac Seumalo may not solve the many problems on the offensive line but could be the beginning of a solution. The 29-year-old has come of age and looks like he’s gotten rid of injuries. He’s played every Philadelphia game in 2022 and hasn’t conceded a single sack in addition to being dominant in the running game.
With the addition of an offensive lineman from one of the best teams in the league in this area, Cardinals fans will no longer have to worry about Kyler Murray and James Conner’s production.
Other potential targets: Javon Hargrave (DT), Dre’Mont Jones (DT), Ben Powers (OL), Charles Omenihu (EDGE), Cameron Sutton (CB)
The new blood
–Jalen Carter (DT)
The offensive line mentioned in the previous paragraph, the defensive line is also a site to be considered as a priority by the Cardinals. With their first choice in the 2023 Draft, Arizona will have to take a player capable of changing the course of a game. Jalen Carter is that type of player. Able to beat two-man takes, powerful and endowed with very good technique on the hands and feet, he can fit perfectly into Vance Joseph’s defensive scheme.
Aggressive against the run and with good pass rush abilities, he can become that game changer defense that Arizona will need, especially after the retirement of JJ Watt.
Other potential players: Will Anderson Jr. (OLB), Peter Skoronski (OT), Paris Johnson Jr. (OT), Bryan Breese (DT), Tyree Wilson (EDGE), Christian Gonzalez (CB), Joey Porter Jr. (CB )
Jalen Carter bullying LSU pic.twitter.com/SiKdFT8g6X
—James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) December 13, 2022
