Arizona cardinals continue their last patiently reconstruction. The desert has met one foot in front of the other for two years. And the results are affected. For his second year at the head of the franchise, Jonathan Gannon (HC) won 8 games, double compared to the previous one.
The coach and his staff manage to make the most of their group, which is still very low in terms of talent on certain positions. New healthy bases and results above expectations could facilitate the arrival of players. To do this, the cardinals have 4e The largest salary margin of the League ($ 71,300,000), a significant weapon to pass a new CAP: go to the play-offs.
Tauliers
- Kyler Murray (QB)
- Budda Baker (s)
- Trey McBride (Te)
All the teams, with a few exceptions, live and die by their quarterback. The adage is even more true with Kyler Murray. The little follet fire fluctuates in each match between the Messiah and the gravedigger for his own. However, it is also left too often the only brain on board to manage the passing game. Today, Kyler Murray is still part of the solution and not the problem. But for how long?
To support it, there is fortunately a superhero: Trey McBride. The Tight End is in the discussion to become the best at its post for the coming year. His last season was that of confirmation with 111 receptions for 1146 yards and 4 touchdowns in total.
On the defense side, the boss is obviously Budda Baker. He is the vocal leader and by the example of a squad that looks like him. Safety personifies this feeling ofunderdog which continues despite services well above the average in NFL. Besides, this is the only one all-pro of this team.
Budda baker the body and heart of cardinals.
The undesirable
- Sean Murphy-Bunting (CB)
- Justin Jones & Bilal Nichols (DT)
- Zach Pascal (WR)
There are not really any players little desired by the cardinals. But the deductible is obliged to renew the talent and make places for this. Zach Pascal is at the end of the contract and should not be resigned to play only in special teams. In the same idea, Dennis Gardeck, club child, caps and returns from yet another injury. Kyzir White, a solid but limited player, will also have to study his proposals.
The two largest thorns in the foot of Monti Ossenfort (GM) are Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols. The two men paid at a good price for their level in 2024 only played 9 combined games. They will have their chance in 2025 but probably the last.
Finally, if Sean Murphy-Bunting Truste the first place on this list is that the disappointment is great. Signed with a big contract in 2024 the cornerback has played less well than Garrett Williams, Max Melton or Starling Thomas IV. He brings depth to the position but at this price …
The man of summer: Garrett Williams (CB)
It is time to highlight a man in the shadows. Garrett Williams imposed himself in 2024 as one of the very best cornerbacks to defend the slotyet no one talks about him.
It must be said that statistics are often misleading for cornerbacks. If he only has two small interceptions it is above all because the quarterbacks do not launch in his direction. Its covers are effective in humans to humans and in zone (58.3% of completion on average for its opponents). He misses little tackles. And above all, he frees his SAFETY, Capable of playing by advancing, aggressive.
During the offseason, Garrett Williams will still have to grow off the field. He must become a natural leader of the locker room and supplement Budda Baker, too alone as a voice that carries the defense side.
The main free agents 2025 of the cardinals
- Kyzir White (LB)
- Will Hernandez (OG)
- Kelvin Beachum (OT)
- Matt Prate (K)
- Baron Browning (Edge)
The others: Greg Dortch (WR), LJ Necklier (DT), Dennis Gardeck (Edge), Evan Brown (OG), Zach Pascal (WR), Zay Jones (WR)
Often taken in default on the cover, Kyriz White is nonetheless a correct NFL holder. The player made 77 tackles and played 94% of the time in the defense of Jonathan Gannon. Digitally its contribution can be hard to replace.
Group shot on the offensive line. Flated by injuries, the unit adapted with ups and downs in 2024. Will Hernandez was among the men quickly affected. Before that he imposed himself as a safe value of this squad. The franchise will probably want to keep it. Just as Kelvin Beachum! The veteran has once again rendered proud service to his team, replacing all his teammates at the foot raised with brilliance. More anecdotal, Evan Brown, holder, should be replaced.
Matt Prate, one of the 4 NFL quarantine for 2024, begins to feel the weight of years. He only played 4 small games. Cardinals will have to make a choice between him and his replacement Chad Ryland for the future.
Arrived during the season Baron Browning seemed to flourish quickly even without producing enormously. A rotation player to keep in a suffering position for cardinals. Watch out for depth to the receiver's post who also diminishes.
The top 5 needs of cardinals
- Edge Rusher
- Defensive line
- Recipient
- Linebacker
- Offensive line
Hunting the quarterback must become a priority for cardinals. No player is currently capable of properly winning a 1V1 on the defensive line. Yet the defensive rear do a remarkable job to offer time to their teammate. Nothing helps. With players like Myles Garrett or Maxx Crosby on the transfer market and a deep draft class at the post, there are no excuses for Monti Ossenfort.
The interior of the defensive line is also to be prioritized. Complete profiles swarm during the next draft. Cardinals must find a force of persuasion in the middle of the defense, something they have not known since Darnell Dockett.
Even after the selection of Marvin Harrison Jr. last year the receiver's post must become better. However, the profile to be targeted is obvious. Cardinals need a quick player. A player capable of being a vertical threat since the slot But also explosive and agile to win yards after reception. A selection on the second day could check these boxes.
The LineBacker position and the offensive line become main needs without re-signs of one or more main free agents (See previous part).
The target: Josh Sweat (Edge)
All the lights are green for Josh Sweat. The player has just completed a capital performance with the Eagles at the Super Bowl Lix. He no longer runs after his ring and will want to open a new chapter as number 1 in a more or less ambitious team.
On the side of the cardinals we can offer money to Josh Sweat, a lot of money. We can also offer him a framework that he knows well. The Rusher Pass composted the most prolific seasons of his career under the orders of Jonathan Gannon (18.5 Sacks and a selection in Pro Bowl in 2021-2022). Cardinal defense precepts and systems should be assimilated very quickly.
Emeka Egbuka unstoppable even in NFL?
New blood: Emeka Egbuka (WR, Ohio State)
If the emphasis will be put above all on the defense for the cardinals, strengthening further in attack is a condition sine qua none of the future success of the franchise.
In 2024, the attack in the air patinated. These mistakes are the combined fruit of a system to perfect, many expectations on Marvin Harrison Jr. and finally a lack of diversity and talent in the profiles available to Kyler Murray.
Emeka Egbuka would bring a different component. Since the slotthe recipient has made a misfortune at the academic level over several years. Cardinals are missing a profile as fast, lively as it, capable of being a vertical threat while remaining a security valve in the short game if necessary. Yards after reception that Emeka Egbuka can win would also be a new force for the attack by the cardinals.
Additional argument: Two consecutive years ago that the cardinals draft an Ohio State player. With Paris Johnson Jr. and Marvin Harrison Jr. Emeka Egbuka would arrive in an already known environment and easily integrate into the group. However, unlike his two teammates, the recipient is a university champion of which to infuse a culture of the win in his new franchise.
Other choices: James Pearce Jr. (Edge), Walter Nolen (DT), Armand Membou (OT)
