Cardinals Free Agency Targets: Defensive Line
ARIZONA -- There are many needs the Arizona Cardinals could look to fill in free agency - one of those being along the defensive line (Here is a link to all the free agents along the defensive line per Spotrac).
There is quite a long list of available for Arizona to look at, so we will highlight just a few names, grouped in tiers:
Elite/Franchise Tag Candidates
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- Justin Madubuike
- Christian Wilkins
- Chris Jones
Analysis: All of these guys had fantastic years in 2023 and are in their prime (though Jones is a bit older). However, they all very well could get franchise tagged and/or unlikely be able to be signed.
Even if they do not get tagged, it's very likely they could be too expensive for Arizona, who only has the 10th most cap space and would have likely competitors for these players in Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Washington, New England...well you get the point.
For reference, Spotrac estimates that they will cost the following per year:
- Jones - 28.1 million per year
- Wilkins - 20.2 million per year
- Madubuike - 20.3 million per year
Solid Starters, But Older
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- D.J. Reader
- Grover Stewart
- DaQuan Jones
Analysis: it may be harsh to call Reader older at 29 as he has been solid wherever he has played. Cincinnati may want him back and have the cap to likely do so.
Stewart is 30 as well but is one year removed from a solid 2022 season, and may be familiar with Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon from his time with the Indianapolis Colts. He was suspended in 2023 for 6 games and may turn off general manager Monti Ossenfort.
Jones is a safe 1-2 year player that could be a placeholder after 10 years of service in the league.
Solid, But Can be Injury Prone
Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
- Leonard Williams
- Maurice Hurst
Analysis: Williams would be an expensive add, but one that may be worth it. When he has not been injured (he did not finish three seasons of his ten), he's been one of the better DTs in the league, including a 2020-2021 span with 18 sacks.
Hurst came into the league with injury concerns but has been ok since, despite only one season injury free. He's not as renowned as Williams but would be worth a flier.
Young Players That Simply Need Opportunity?
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- Neville Gallimore
- Tim Settle
- Greg Gaines
- Armon Watts
Analysis: Gallimore fell out of favor in Dallas and could use a fresh start.
Settle was a backup in Washington and Buffalo and may just need a chance to start.
Gaines was stuck behind Vita Vea in Tampe Bay and may also want a chance for more playing time.
Watts didn't get much much time in Pittsburgh but had a couple of solid years in Minnesota, which may intrigue Gannon, who was there from 2014-2017 (Watts was drafted in 2019).
Other Solid Additions
- Jordan Elliott
- Derrick Nnadi
- Justin Jones
- Raekwon Davis
Analysis: Elliott may have benefitted from Cleveland's scheme and personnel (Myles Garrett anyone?) but is solid in his own right. His stats don't always show it but he is likely going to be better than most of the DTs in the draft.
Nnadi was in Chris Jones' shadow and doesn't have the stats but likely learned a lot from Jones - and he's still only 27 as of this writing.
Jones had a solid year in Chicago with 4.5 sacks, but the Bears likely will be able to bring him back with their current cap space.
Davis is another solid possibility with Miamis cap situation - and at only 27 if Arizona cannot get Wilkins, Davis may be worth a look.
Prediction: I personally would love to see the Cardinals sign Elliott. I don't know about his fit in Rallis' scheme, however. Nnadi also makes a ton of sense as a young player who might fit the scheme, wouldn't cost a ton and Kansas City like cannot bring him back with trying to bring back Chris Jones.
It also depends on what Arizona does at other key positions such as edge and corner. Stewart is the one that they may settle on but Indianapolis has the money to bring him back - so I'll stick with Elliott or maybe Watts as potential targets for the Cardinals.
UPDATE (2/18): There is one name that was not mentioned here that could be a target for Arizona - A'Shawn Robinson. Robinson would be in the Solid Starters but older category at currently 28 years old. He may have a connection to Arizona with Robinson being drafted while in Detroit, when Dave Sears was in there.
One more thing - don't be surprised if Arizona signs two defensive tackles at least as they need to improve the run defense and the room as a whole.
