Cardinals Free Agency Targets: Edge
With free agency less than a month away, let's continue to look at free agents the Arizona Cardinals may look at adding. I
f there is a position group that may be the most important, it's at edge. Bleacher report ranks it as the strongest position group, and Arizona very likely will sign someone in that mould.
Here's a few, ranked in tiers, the Cardinals could consider:
Elite/Franchise Tag Candidates
- Brian Burns
- Josh Allen
- Danielle Hunter
Analysis: Quite frankly, it's likely that none of these players will be available, but of the three, Brian Burns may have a small chance of being available. At only 26, Arizona may have to overpay for his services though, or potentially give up draft capital in a sign and trade.
Josh Allen is very likely to be retained by Jacksonville, but if he is available he could break the bank.
Danielle Hunter is still only 29 and with 5 seasons with double digit sacks, Hunter would be a good find. It would make sense that Minnesota would very much like him back though.
Solid Starters, but Injury Prone
- Chase Young
- Carl Lawson
Analysis: Chase Young is also...er, young, but Arizona could have put in an offer to get him from Washington last year. He's never quite met the expectations that came with his first round status, but I could see the Cardinals being interested.
Carl Lawson was just released by the Jets but is a couple years removed from a seven-sack season in 2022. He's also still only 28 years old.
Solid Starters, But Older
- Marcus Davenport
- Tyquan Lewis
- Leonard Floyd
- Za'Darius Smith
- Jadeveon Clowney
- Romeo Okwara
Analysis: Marcus Davenport was once upon a time a (possibly over) highly drafted edge for the Saints. He did not have a great last season for the Vikings but could be interesting.
Tyquan Lewis is likely to return to the cash flush Colts but if not could be a decent add for depth.
Leonard Lloyd seems to have been around forever but would be another solid addition, as he has been productive wherever he has gone.
Za'Darius Smith is likely more of a 4-3 edge but much like Floyd has been productive wherever he has gone.
Jadaveon Clowney would probably be up for yet another one-year deal if that is the direction Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort opts to go and has experience in a 3-4 hybrid defense. He would also help tremendously in the run game.
Romeo Okwara would be an interesting add - he was with Arizona assistant general manager Dave Sears in Detroit and so Arizona may have extra knowledge on him.
Young Players That Need Opportunity?
- Dorance Armstrong
- K'Lavon Chaisson
- Andrew Van Ginkel
- Anfernee Jennings
Analysis: Dorance Armstrong would be an extremely interesting add. He's young and productive, even in limited snaps as the third pass rusher in Dallas. He's notched 16 sacks in the past couple of years and may want the chance to start outside of Micah Parson's shadow.
K'Lavon Chaisson was at times the other edge on the other side of the aforementioned Josh Allen. He is similar in size to Arizona EDGE B.J. Ojulari and would seem to be redundant to what they could get in the draft or elsewhere.
Andrew Van Ginkel finally got his opportunity for the Dolphins and produced in 2023 with eight sacks and 48 tackles.
He seems to be similar to Dennis Gardeck physically and in playing style and might be redundant - but as Bleacher Report pointed out Arizona needs help along the edge, and Van Ginkel could make sense for them.
According to PFF, Anfernee Jennings is known for his run defense - which is where Arizona needs help. He was drafted just a year after Monti Ossenfort left for Tennessee.
Other Solid Additions
- AJ Epenesa
- Michael Danna
- Josh Uche
- Bryce Huff
- DJ Wonnum
- Derek Barnett
- Jonathan Greenard
Analysis: This is where the Cardinals may choose to invest. Josh Uche and Michael Danna are both pass rush specialists though Uche's play apparently dropped off a bit in 2023 - though interestingly PFF compared him to Haason Reddick back in 2021. Danna may not be a priority to bring back for the Chiefs either.
Huff has played quite well for the Jets but seems to play similarly to BJ Ojulari. The question for him is how he would do against the run, but as much as Arizona likes to rotate their edges, he could be a solid addition.
Epenesa may make a solid upgrade over Zaven Collins at essentially the same size. The Bills I'm sure would like to keep him but have limited cap space at the moment.
Wonnum is very intriguing as well coming off a nine-sack season. If Hunter is retained by Minnesota, they may let Wonnum walk.
The Cardinals had a chance to claim Barnett late in the 2023 season but apparently did not put in a claim so it'll be curious to see if they choose to pursue him now, as he did play for Jonathan Gannon.
Greenard would likely be prioritized after a double digit sack year for Houston, who is flush with cap space.
Prediction: Right now, Arizona could sign Epenesa, Armstrong, Huff, Wonnum or perhaps Hunter if they can get him at the right price and Minnesota let's him walk.
I do think many of the big names likely won't be available. However, there's a lot to like from this free agency class, though it may not look like this after the upcoming franchise tag period.
Any of these pass rushers would be an upgrade over anyone outside of Ojulari on Arizona's roster in my opinion - something to be excited about as a Cardinals fan, but also something that is desperately needed in their defense.
