State of the Cards

[Rohinaz]

Well, time to look at the roster going forward. I think everyone is frustrated we didnt make the playoffs cause it one point it looked like we had a good shot. That said, based on the money the cards didnt spend this year and the ton of cap space we have next year. I think we will be more aggressive in free agency and its playoffs or bust next year. Here is my thoughts on the roster.

WR: Need a legit threat here, MHJ is a no.2 at this point. Could easily step up to a no1 next year. I have been frustrated with Murry not throwing the ball down field but I do believe a part of it is no body is open. need speed and quickness. We might have with worst WR core in the nfl this year.
1. Open
2. MHJ
3. Open

O line: have some good building block here. Would love to see the cards go after a top guard in FA.
LT: PJJ
LG: Will Fries or Trey Smith
C: Froholdt
RG: Isaih Adam (looks good for a rookie), also Hernandez assuming he is healed.
RT: Jonah Williams: one year left on his deal, I'm a big fan of Emery Jones Jr from LSU, started 3 seasons at RT and would have been a LT at any other school.

TE:
1. McBride: might be the best TE in the NFL
2. Higgins / Reiman

QB: I think next year is Kylers make or break. All the tools are there, just need to take it to a higher level. Need to invest in Oline and WR and see what happens

CB: I think our CB room is in good shape. Tons of young talent that are playing well. They loaded up on CBs in the past 2 drafts and I think they have played well overall. espeically considering the lack of pass rush. Don't think we need any draft pick or FA signings here.
1. Murphy Bunting
2. Garrett Williams
3. Thomas V / Max Melton
4. Elijah Jones (3rd round pick, hasn't played yet) and Clark

S: Loaded here as well
1. Baker
2. Thompson
3. Taylor Demerson: looks good for a rookie.

D line:
1. Justin Jones: injured but 3 year deal, not sure what we have here
2. Bilal Nichols: injured but 3 year deal, not sure what we have here also
3. Dante Stills: Has played real well
4. Darius Robinson: missed most the year, hopefully explodes on the scene, ton of talent
5. LJ Collier: will be a free agent but may worth brining back
6. Need to draft someone disruptive Nic Scourton from Texas A&m
NT: Roy Lopez: hard to guage NTs but seems solid in the middle

Inside LB
1. Kyzie White: FA but I would expect him back
2. LB Mack Wilson 3 year deal, played well

Outside LB
1. BJ Ojulari: missed this whole year, had 4 sacks with limited PT last year
2. Need a FA / or draft
3. Baron Browning: a FA but hope to get back on a 1 year deal


FA Targets
DL, BJ Reed Cin or Jarran Reed Seattle
OLB: Josh Sweat or Hassan Reddick
ILB: Zack Baun: Philly
Guard: Trey Smith or Will Fries
WR: Chris Godwin

 

[D-Dogg]

Oh no, we suck again!

 

[WisconsinCard]

To say no body is open is a joke right? We've seen plenty of guys open and not thrown to, including their leading receiver open for a first down but I'm going to throw an interception instead.

But the funny part is how many time K1 throws to a covered receiver. Don't matter if their open if he sees the rush he's throwing it, even if it's to the other team.

 

[ajcardfan]

To say no body is open is a joke right? We've seen plenty of guys open and not thrown to, including their leading receiver open for a first down but I'm going to throw an interception instead.

But the funny part is how many time K1 throws to a covered receiver. Don't matter if their open if he sees the rush he's throwing it, even if it's to the other team.

Sitting in the Ring of Honor has changed my view of the game at State Farm quite a bit. And, I was complaining about the lack of our WRs getting open as far back as preseason. It has been a problem all year. From what I see, our guys get open less, with less separation, than other teams. Of course they do get open sometimes and sometimes Kyler doesn't see someone. But I haven't seen wide open guys running around all over the place. I just haven't. I am convinced a major reason for this is poor route running AND the lack of deep shots. No one is scared of us going deep and we barely try. So, DBs stay squared up and on top of our WRs a lot.

Frankly, the entire passing game has gotten worse over the course of this season. Defenses are all over our routes, WRs aren't making plays to get open, and our QB has gotten less accurate.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

Well, time to look at the roster going forward. I think everyone is frustrated we didnt make the playoffs cause it one point it looked like we had a good shot. That said, based on the money the cards didnt spend this year and the ton of cap space we have next year. I think we will be more aggressive in free agency and its playoffs or bust next year. Here is my thoughts on the roster.

WR: Need a legit threat here, MHJ is a no.2 at this point. Could easily step up to a no1 next year. I have been frustrated with Murry not throwing the ball down field but I do believe a part of it is no body is open. need speed and quickness. We might have with worst WR core in the nfl this year.
1. Open
2. MHJ
3. Open

O line: have some good building block here. Would love to see the cards go after a top guard in FA.
LT: PJJ
LG: Will Fries or Trey Smith
C: Froholdt
RG: Isaih Adam (looks good for a rookie), also Hernandez assuming he is healed.
RT: Jonah Williams: one year left on his deal, I'm a big fan of Emery Jones Jr from LSU, started 3 seasons at RT and would have been a LT at any other school.

TE:
1. McBride: might be the best TE in the NFL
2. Higgins / Reiman

QB: I think next year is Kylers make or break. All the tools are there, just need to take it to a higher level. Need to invest in Oline and WR and see what happens

CB: I think our CB room is in good shape. Tons of young talent that are playing well. They loaded up on CBs in the past 2 drafts and I think they have played well overall. espeically considering the lack of pass rush. Don't think we need any draft pick or FA signings here.
1. Murphy Bunting
2. Garrett Williams
3. Thomas V / Max Melton
4. Elijah Jones (3rd round pick, hasn't played yet) and Clark

S: Loaded here as well
1. Baker
2. Thompson
3. Taylor Demerson: looks good for a rookie.

D line:
1. Justin Jones: injured but 3 year deal, not sure what we have here
2. Bilal Nichols: injured but 3 year deal, not sure what we have here also
3. Dante Stills: Has played real well
4. Darius Robinson: missed most the year, hopefully explodes on the scene, ton of talent
5. LJ Collier: will be a free agent but may worth brining back
6. Need to draft someone disruptive Nic Scourton from Texas A&m
NT: Roy Lopez: hard to guage NTs but seems solid in the middle

Inside LB
1. Kyzie White: FA but I would expect him back
2. LB Mack Wilson 3 year deal, played well

Outside LB
1. BJ Ojulari: missed this whole year, had 4 sacks with limited PT last year
2. Need a FA / or draft
3. Baron Browning: a FA but hope to get back on a 1 year deal


FA Targets
DL, BJ Reed Cin or Jarran Reed Seattle
OLB: Josh Sweat or Hassan Reddick
ILB: Zack Baun: Philly
Guard: Trey Smith or Will Fries
WR: Chris Godwin

Thank you!

I like the narrative that our WR room sucks, and it's not K1's fault that our passing game is anemic.

If you'd like to expound upon that point, please do.

 

[az jam]

Nice analysis Rohinaz, this takes lots of work and is nicely done. It is your opinion and others will agree or disagree with it. I'm in a downer because of their late season collapse once again. This off season will be critical and I'm not that confident in Monti and his conservative approach to free agency. Some on the Board blame Bidwill but I don't as he never held back Keim from spending money and using their cap space. Sadly, it is going to be a long off season and it has already started for Card fans.

 

[WisconsinCard]

Sitting in the Ring of Honor has changed my view of the game at State Farm quite a bit. And, I was complaining about the lack of our WRs getting open as far back as preseason. It has been a problem all year. From what I see, our guys get open less, with less separation, than other teams. Of course they do get open sometimes and sometimes Kyler doesn't see someone. But I haven't seen wide open guys running around all over the place. I just haven't. I am convinced a major reason for this is poor route running AND the lack of deep shots. No one is scared of us going deep and we barely try. So, DBs stay squared up and on top of our WRs a lot.

Frankly, the entire passing game has gotten worse over the course of this season. Defenses are all over our routes, WRs aren't making plays to get open, and our QB has gotten less accurate.

Wasn't that only for one game?

 

[ajcardfan]

Wasn't that only for one game?

No, we split season tickets with friends and I had NO, LA, W, Sea, NE (I bought different tickets) and I have the SF game. Just telling you what I see. Believe me, I wish it was as easy as "just get rid of the QB" but it's not that simple.

 

[Rohinaz]

Nice analysis Rohinaz, this takes lots of work and is nicely done. It is your opinion and others will agree or disagree with it. I'm in a downer because of their late season collapse once again. This off season will be critical and I'm not that confident in Monti and his conservative approach to free agency. Some on the Board blame Bidwill but I don't as he never held back Keim from spending money and using their cap space. Sadly, it is going to be a long off season and it has already started for Card fans.

personally think Monti had a multi year rebuild in mind because they were very conservative in FA earlier this year and had over 20M in space they didnt use. The sad part is for most the season they played better than most thought was possible and they had a legit chance to make the playoffs before the collapse. Some of the deals Keim signed were back loaded so they have still been paying for those players. Ertz, Watt and Rodney Hudson cost us ~15M in cap space this year. Hopkins had a huge cap number last year.

They seem to have built a better culture and have a bunch of good young players. They will have around $100M to spend in free agency this year, it they don't spend it, I will be at a loss for words. They need a get a No1 WR, some big O line and Dline and fill some other gaps.

 

[FB94]

Always thought it was 3 years based on how bare the cupboards were left before new front office. Now after two years there are signs of progress with just as many questions remaining on defense, only to now include QB position. This only makes MOs job that much more complex and frankly longer to patch holes in this roster if we have to find a new QB after 2025. The cardinals can never get off that hamster wheel.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

personally think Monti had a multi year rebuild in mind because they were very conservative in FA earlier this year and had over 20M in space they didnt use. The sad part is for most the season they played better than most thought was possible and they had a legit chance to make the playoffs before the collapse. Some of the deals Keim signed were back loaded so they have still been paying for those players. Ertz, Watt and Rodney Hudson cost us ~15M in cap space this year. Hopkins had a huge cap number last year.

They seem to have built a better culture and have a bunch of good young players. They will have around $100M to spend in free agency this year, it they don't spend it, I will be at a loss for words. They need a get a No1 WR, some big O line and Dline and fill some other gaps.

So MHJ becomes WR2, and we buy a WR1? Who might be a WR1 type target in 2025 FA? I think this is very interesting!

Thanks in advance for any additional info.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I wonder if DJ Moore might be available. Tradable contract. Seems to have speed we can use. And his lack of usage clearly has him unhappy in chicago. His comments do not reek of someone that believes in his organization.

 

[BirdGangThing]

I wonder if DJ Moore might be available. Tradable contract. Seems to have speed we can use. And his lack of usage clearly has him unhappy in chicago. His comments do not reek of someone that believes in his organization.

but is he a leader???

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

but is he a leader???

Lol

 

[slanidrac16]

I wonder if DJ Moore might be available. Tradable contract. Seems to have speed we can use. And his lack of usage clearly has him unhappy in chicago. His comments do not reek of someone that believes in his organization.

I think they just extended him. But he is a feisty tough sob. We could use somebody like that.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

but is he a leader???

can he throw the ball to himself?

 

[daves]

I wonder if DJ Moore might be available. Tradable contract. Seems to have speed we can use. And his lack of usage clearly has him unhappy in chicago. His comments do not reek of someone that believes in his organization.

I think they just extended him. But he is a feisty tough sob. We could use somebody like that.

Yeah, he just got a 4-year $110M extension... he's under contract with the Bears through 2029.

 

[JosiahLee]

personally think Monti had a multi year rebuild in mind because they were very conservative in FA earlier this year and had over 20M in space they didnt use. The sad part is for most the season they played better than most thought was possible and they had a legit chance to make the playoffs before the collapse. Some of the deals Keim signed were back loaded so they have still been paying for those players. Ertz, Watt and Rodney Hudson cost us ~15M in cap space this year. Hopkins had a huge cap number last year.

They seem to have built a better culture and have a bunch of good young players. They will have around $100M to spend in free agency this year, it they don't spend it, I will be at a loss for words. They need a get a No1 WR, some big O line and Dline and fill some other gaps.

Yeah I suspect those of us hoping they go on a spending spree this offseason are going to be disappointed.

I really think Monti is hell bent on building through the draft. They have the second youngest roster in the league and that’s not a coincidence. He has said all along he doesn’t want to be a “flash in the pan”. They want sustainable success. I think Monti’s logic is you save the money for the young talent that you draft and develop so you can extend all of them as needed.

For better or worse this appears to be his plan. He will obviously sign free agents, but I think it will be mid-tier guys like those he signed last year. To his credit, most free agent signings never end up being worth the investment.

Worst case, we are never actually going to rebuild through this strategy because it just takes too long. Best case, they actually do build a roster that is still relatively young and in the upper echelon of the league, equating to the year-in and year-out success they desire.

Or can we just pull a New Orleans Saints move and trade our entire draft class, even for a couple years to get Mahomes?

 

[dreamcastrocks]

Yeah I suspect those of us hoping they go on a spending spree this offseason are going to be disappointed.

I really think Monti is hell bent on building through the draft. They have the second youngest roster in the league and that’s not a coincidence. He has said all along he doesn’t want to be a “flash in the pan”. They want sustainable success. I think Monti’s logic is you save the money for the young talent that you draft and develop so you can extend all of them as needed.

For better or worse this appears to be his plan. He will obviously sign free agents, but I think it will be mid-tier guys like those he signed last year. To his credit, most free agent signings never end up being worth the investment.

Worst case, we are never actually going to rebuild through this strategy because it just takes too long. Best case, they actually do build a roster that is still relatively young and in the upper echelon of the league, equating to the year-in and year-out success they desire.

Or can we just pull a New Orleans Saints move and trade our entire draft class, even for a couple years to get Mahomes?

He has to spend up to around 60M of the 88M of it next year in order to be under the salary cap rules. That's quite a bit of money, even if they don't spend all the way to the cap...

 

[Stout]

Yeah I suspect those of us hoping they go on a spending spree this offseason are going to be disappointed.

I really think Monti is hell bent on building through the draft. They have the second youngest roster in the league and that’s not a coincidence. He has said all along he doesn’t want to be a “flash in the pan”. They want sustainable success. I think Monti’s logic is you save the money for the young talent that you draft and develop so you can extend all of them as needed.

For better or worse this appears to be his plan. He will obviously sign free agents, but I think it will be mid-tier guys like those he signed last year. To his credit, most free agent signings never end up being worth the investment.

Worst case, we are never actually going to rebuild through this strategy because it just takes too long. Best case, they actually do build a roster that is still relatively young and in the upper echelon of the league, equating to the year-in and year-out success they desire.

Or can we just pull a New Orleans Saints move and trade our entire draft class, even for a couple years to get Mahomes?

Yes, including many of his own

 

[Stout]

He has to spend up to around 60M of the 88M of it next year in order to be under the salary cap rules. That's quite a bit of money, even if they don't spend all the way to the cap...

He can structure contracts to eat up a lot of up front cap without more cash outlay/signing more players.

 

[ajcardfan]

He has to spend up to around 60M of the 88M of it next year in order to be under the salary cap rules. That's quite a bit of money, even if they don't spend all the way to the cap...

It is really more important who they spend it on than how much they spend. He can't keep having more misses than hits.

This year ...

Dline - Jones was terrible, then got hurt. Nichols played just a bit better, not much, got hurt.

CB - SMB has been mixed results. I would rate him ok overall, but clearly not close to #1 CB which I think they were hoping.

LB - Mack Wilson - decent, the best defensive signing. But he has trouble when teams run right at him.

Oline - Williams is a good starter, but wound up with 2 knee injuries. Brown started strong, has seemed to wear down as the season has progressed

WR - Zay Jones -- nothing burger. Inexplicably given a decent contract to get suspended 6 games and then practically never get on the field as 4th WR and can't beat our Dortch for #3.

Bleh. Not very good. Gotta do better than that this offseason. In fact, reading that looks like last offseason free agency is definitely one of the reasons we didn't get that much better.

 

[dreamcastrocks]

He can structure contracts to eat up a lot of up front cap without more cash outlay/signing more players.

True. Who else is worth an extension on our team besides McBride, and possibly Kyzir?

 

[ajcardfan]

True. Who else is worth an extension on our team besides McBride, and possibly Kyzir?

I would say Hernandez assuming his rehab is going as it should. White, probably so. I know Gannon loves him. But for all the bitching about our Dline no one seems to notice that Wilson and White are mediocre and you can definitely improve that position. Maybe Brown, he was better than most LG we have had the last few years

 

[CardNots]

Dline - Jones was terrible, then got hurt. Nichols played just a bit better, not much, got hurt.

Worth noting, they were injured early in the season. Nowadays those first 3-4 games are get in game shape type games ie Kyzir White.

Factor in playing in a new defensive scheme for a new coach and maybe we’ll view their acquisition a little differently next season?