Ranking Arizona Cardinals' Biggest Off-Season Needs
ARIZONA -- It wasn't a pretty 2023 campaign.
The Arizona Cardinals limped to a 4-13 record, and every roster inadequacy was highlighted throughout their multitude of losses.
With the hopes and dreams of the off-season ahead, here are the biggest needs that general manager Monti Ossenfort has to address:
Need #1: Defensive Line
Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Secondary this, receiver that, the Cardinals were absolutely abysmal in the defensive trenches. Arizona held the worst rushing defense in the NFL this past season, allowing an NFL-worst 2,434 rushing yards to opponents, almost 100 yards more than their nearest competitor in the Seattle Seahawks.
They also allowed 4.7 yards per carry, part of a three-way tie for second-worst in the NFL.
But it wasn't just the run game where the DL struggled. As a unit, Arizona's pass rush recorded 33.0 sacks, third-worst in the NFL behind the Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers. LB Dennis Gardeck led Arizona's defense in sacks with six, and no other player recorded more than four on the year.
They rarely even pressured opposing QBs, allowing opponents to sit comfortably in the pocket and pick apart a weak secondary. Even if the DB room needs some help, it's hard to expect them to lock down a play that the D-line allows nearly five seconds to develop.
Arizona's defensive line and EDGEs need a massive overhaul. While not a knock on the players who gave their all to the Valley this year, the Cards need an edge rusher who can wreak havoc, a DT who can stuff the run and push offensive lines back into their QB, and a few depth pieces to plug holes in the event of injury.
Need #2: Cornerback
Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Trenches aside, the Cardinals need at least one veteran corner who can excel in man coverage. While head coach Jonathan Gannon is one who can work with young DB's and develop them to his scheme, the Cardinals trotting out a plethora of rookie corners was a brutal look defensively for much of 2023, including dismal performances by the likes of Marco Wilson.
While Arizona's defense was decently solid in total yards allowed (3,846), the issue was not volume, rather efficiency. With a run defense that allowed five yards per clip, opposing offenses only had to throw occasionally. The Cardinals allowed the second-worst completion percentage in the NFL, as well as the third-most passing touchdowns and sixth-most yards per attempt.
Cardinals corners rarely picked off the ball. Arizona's interception leader was Jalen Thompson, with four, and only two total interceptions were hauled in by CBs in 2023.
Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis were frequently able to do more with less, but when three of Arizona's four main corners were rookies who struggled with allowing big plays and rarely made plays on the ball without a penalty, some boost is needed.
Ideally, the Cardinals should look to sign a veteran corner who can play man coverage. If they can at least partially take away an opponents WR1, the younger guys can excel in Gannon's system and develop elsewhere on the field, especially with an elite safety tandem in Jalen Thompson and Budda Baker.
While young corners like Antonio Hamilton, Starling Thomas V and Garrett Williams showed some potential, they will benefit from a true CB1 to push them down the depth chart and provide mentorship and solidity.
Need #3: Big Wide Receivers
Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Cardinals fans who have paid attention know this all too well. Most Arizona sports news sources (including myself and this site), radio shows, podcasts and media members have been talking this ad nauseam, but it's true.
Arizona had the seventh-least receiving yards in 2023, and this number could have been significantly worse without a portion of the 825 yards from breakout TE Trey McBride.
The Cardinals had a receiving corps that failed to contribute for the majority of the season, even when Kyler Murray returned. Although WR Greg Dortch came up big in big moments, the fact that two 5-foot-7 receivers in Dortch and Rondale Moore did most of the heavy lifting outside the tight end room is not a reliable strategy for a potent offense.
Marquise Brown underperformed all year, and although rookie WR Michael Wilson provided some ability to bring down contested catches and be a big body downfield, the air attack often ran through 6-foot-4, 246-pound McBride.
While Cardinals fans can all hope and pray that Marvin Harrison Jr. falls to No. 4 in the 2024 NFL Draft, the truth is Arizona needs more than just one star receiver. They need depth, and an increase in overall average size. Harrison is the ideal pick, but the likes of Malik Nabers or Rome Odunze would also be a welcome addition in the draft, and they shouldn't stop at one with a slew of potential free agent receivers hitting the market.
No longer will the days of Kliff Kingsbury's finesse football team provide consistent production through the air. While guys like Dortch and Moore could still have some type of role in 2024, the Cardinals need to add players who can make strong contested catches and be a menacing presence in opposing secondaries.
Need #4: Tackle
Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher-Arizona Republic
The offensive line was a surprising bright spot for the Cardinals in 2023. Rookie tackle Paris Johnson Jr. looks to be a solid piece going forward, RG Will Hernandez had another good season, C Hjalte Froholdt was excellent in the run game, and even LT D.J. Humphries overcame a slow start to play a solid stretch of weeks at the end of the year.
Unfortunately, Humphries' season--and potentially Cardinals career--was ended by an ACL tear against Philadelphia in Week 17.
While Kelvin Beachum came and filled in generally well, the Cardinals will need to address that position. While Johnson could benefit from sliding over to his natural left tackle position, the Cardinals will at the very least need depth, if not a starting-caliber lineman to fill Humphries' shoes.
It's a nice change to have the offensive line down so low in the needs, and to not have to address every single position, but there could be a potentially huge hole on one side of the line, and if any other injuries occur, the Cardinals could be in trouble. A starting tackle will likely be needed, and some quality reserve pieces for all slots on the line should be added to protect Murray.
