With the franchise and switch tag deadline passing Tuesday, the Arizona Cardinals have a greater thought of what the free agent panorama seems to be like forward of the brand new league yr that begins subsequent week.
However which of the gamers hitting the open market subsequent Wednesday will stand out when it comes to Arizona's wants and its projected $45.6 million in cap area?
Listed below are some high gamers who might transfer the needle on what head coach Jonathan Gannon and normal supervisor Monti Ossenfort are constructing:
Christian Wilkins, DT
The Miami Dolphins shocked many by not franchise tagging Wilkins. The 6-foot-4, 310-pound defensive sort out is high of thoughts for me when it comes to the rapid influence he would convey to a Cardinals protection that was close to the underside of the league once they landed a quarterback in 2023.
An absolute beast within the trenches, Wilkins amassed profession highs in sacks (9) and quarterback hits (23). He added 10 tackles for loss, a compelled fumble and two passes defensed.
He recorded 58 pressures per Professional Soccer Focus whereas persevering with to show he can do it in opposition to the run.
Among the many largest positives to Wilkins' recreation is his availability, with 61 consecutive begins over the previous three seasons and showing in not less than 14 video games over his five-year profession.
The icing on the cake? His familiarity with Cardinals line of defense coach Derrick LeBlanc, who coached Wilkins in 2022 as a DL assistant coach in Miami.
However with success on the sector comes a hefty price ticket.
Wilkins may have loads of suitors this offseason and will likely be trying to money in after failing to make a deal final yr.
PFF tasks Wilkins' contract to be 4 years, within the $100 million vary. Is that an excessive amount of to spend on a crew that wants assist in a number of areas of the roster?
He could also be, however there's no denying the expertise he has and the potential influence he might convey to Arizona's entrance.
Patrick Queen, ILB
Kyzir White is the person up the center for the Cardinals. Nevertheless, his 2024 working mate is but to be decided, with Krys Barnes and Josh Woods coming into the market subsequent week.
Why not bolster the midfield much more with an addition like Queen?
Beginning each recreation for the Baltimore Ravens for the fourth consecutive season, Queen set a brand new profession excessive in tackles with 133 to go together with 3.5 sacks, an interception, six passes defensed, six QB hits.
PFF views Queen as the highest free agent goal this offseason and tasks his contract to be 4 years, $72.5 million.
Does including expertise like Queen make up for not spending at different positions with higher wants?
Dalton Risner, OG
Among the many most essential positions within the trenches for the Cardinals is left guard.
Deal with seems to be set with Paris Johnson Jr., Kelvin Beachum and a probable newly named rookie who will later take over the majority of the work within the absence of DJ Humphries, who’s recovering from a torn ACL suffered final December.
Will Hernandez is locked in at proper guard, whereas Hjalte Froholdt needs to be the beginning heart.
That leaves free company as Arizona's greatest avenue so as to add some dimension alongside the left facet of the inside.
One identify to look at is Minnesota Vikings free agent Risner.
After enjoying out his rookie contract with the Denver Broncos, he signed with the Vikings midseason, then took over because the crew's left guard, showing in 15 video games.
Risner's run blocking means isn't off the charts, however his means within the passing recreation has been a constant constructive all through his profession.
The linebacker additionally wouldn't break the financial institution, as PFF tasks a three-year, $16.5 million contract.
Jonathan Greenard, DE
Let's flip our consideration again to the line of defense with Houston Texans free agent and defensive finish Jonathan Greenard.
The 6-foot-3, 263-pounder confirmed in a contract yr, posting profession highs in sacks (12.5), tackles for loss (15) and quarterback hits (22).
Including his mixture of dimension and energy to Arizona's line of defense would assist tremendously in supporting each the run and cross rush.
He additionally possible gained't command the wage Wilkins expects, as PFF tasks Greenard's subsequent deal to be within the four-year, $76 million vary.
Darius Williams, CB
The Cardinals have three younger quarterbacks — Garrett Williams, Kei'Trel Clark and Starling Thomas V. — hoping to take the following step in 2024 after incomes reps as rookies.
And whereas Arizona is perhaps inclined to land a cornerback within the 2024 NFL Draft, signing a veteran free agent to mesh with the younger weapons needs to be excessive on the listing.
Darious Williams, who the Jacksonville Jaguars are reportedly releasing to assist clear cap area, matches that mildew.
Williams, who served as Jacksonville's No. 1 cornerback final yr, tied a profession excessive in tackles with 4, took one again for a landing and set one other excessive mark in passes defensed with 19 in 17 begins.
Williams has appeared in not less than 14 video games since 2020 and hasn't missed a recreation up to now two seasons.
The cornerback performed to a three-year, $30 million deal signed by 2022 and will count on to make one thing within the $40 million vary in a profession yr.
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