Mitch
Crawled Through 5 FB Fields
As we all know, players in contract years often have added motivation to play well in order to secure a new contract either with the Cardinals or with another team.
Yet from another angle, players in their last year of a contract can be vulnerable to making the roster if younger players with multiple years of team control are of equal or greater value to the team.
Thus, it's always interesting to look ahead to see which players will be FAs of some sort following this season. Last year, the Cardinals had a whopping 19 UFAs...and it is quite possible they will have about that number again. This is quite an indicator of how Steve Keim is building the roster vis-a-vis short and long term parameters.
By Position: (Bold Blue--Possible High Value UFA; Bold Pink---Possible Medium Value UFA)
QB:
Drew Stanton--UFA
Zac Dysert--RFA
Analysis: Palmer is signed through 2018, but could retire. if Dysert can challenge Stanton for the #2 spot, the Cardinals have another year of control with Dysert. Need: Medium/High (if Palmer retires).
RB:
Kerwynn Williams--UFA
Elijaah Penny--ERFA
Analysis: The trio of Johnson, Logan and Penny could be intact for the next 2-3 years. Need: Low/Medium (if Williams and Penny don't pan out).
WR:
Larry Fitzgerald--UFA
John Brown--UFA
Jaron Brown--UFA
Andre Ellington--UFA
Jeremy Ross--UFA
Aaron Dobson--UFA
Brittan Golden--UFA
Chris Hubert--ERFA
Marquis Bundy--ERFA
Marvin Hall--ERFA
Harvey Binford--ERFA
Analysis: If John Brown returns to form, he could earn a fairly lucrative new contract, either with the Cardinals or in FA. The only real locks to return are Nelson and Chad Williams. Need: High (if Fitzgerald retires).
TE:
Troy Niklas--UFA
Hakeem Valles--ERFA
Ifeanyi Momah--ERFA
Analysis: The only lock beyond this year is Gresham. Need: High.
OL:
Tony Bergstrom--UFA
Ulrich John--RFA
John Wetzel--ERFA
Givens Price--ERFA
Kaleb Johnson--ERFA
Daniel Munyer--ERFA
Analysis: Having drafted 5 OL in the last 3 years, the depth on the OL is solid. Wentzel looks like a keeper for the next 2 years as well. The question becomes whether the Cardinals will choose to move on from Iupati and/or Veldheer in 2018. Need: Low/Medium (if Iupati and/or Veldheer get moved).
DT:
Corey Peters--UFA
Frostee Rucker--UFA
Ed Stinson--UFA
Xavier Williams--RFA
Olsen Pierre--ERFA
Analysis: Signing Josh Mauro to a 2 year deal was smart. If Nkemdiche, Gunter, Xavier Williams and Bevins emerge as good rotation players, this unit should remain solid. Need: Medium.
Edge:
Jarvis Jones--UFA
Kareem Martin--UFA
Cap Capi--ERFA
Analysis: The question is how much the Cardinals will use Haason Reddick on the edge. Need: Medium.
ILB:
Karlos Dansby--UFA
Xavier Gooden--UFA
Alani Fua--RFA
Gabe Martin--ERFA
Scooby Wright--ERFA
Analysis: If Daryl Washington returns, this group could be super deep for the next few years. Need: Low (if Washington returns).
CB:
Justin Bethel--UFA
Ronald Zamort--ERFA
Analysis: This CB group is young, deep and intriguing. Need: Medium (if no one emerges as the #2)/Low.
S:
Tayvon Branch--UFA
Christian Bryant---RFA
Harlan Miller--ERFA
Trevon Hartfield--ERFA
Analysis: The addition of Budda Baker is timely. The question is: what kind of a performance will the team get from Mathieu, Bethea and Branch. Need: Medium/Low (if Mathieu and Bethea play well).
LS:
Aaron Brewer--UFA
Analysis: If Brewer has a good year and re-signs to a 2-3 year deal, the need is low.
P:
Matt Wile--ERFA
Analysis: If Wile is the answer, then the Cardinals have him under control for a few more years.
Free Agency 2018:
On paper right now, it doesn't look like the Cardinals are going to be in a position to amass multiple compensatory picks for 2019 as they did this off-season, largely because they don't have many top level UFAs. With another large class of their own free agents, we can expect the Cardinals to be aggressive in free agency. Next year might be a good year to sign multiple UFAs in addressing areas of need. Then they could head into the draft ready to wheel and deal to get a young QB and other talented rookies.
Yet from another angle, players in their last year of a contract can be vulnerable to making the roster if younger players with multiple years of team control are of equal or greater value to the team.
Thus, it's always interesting to look ahead to see which players will be FAs of some sort following this season. Last year, the Cardinals had a whopping 19 UFAs...and it is quite possible they will have about that number again. This is quite an indicator of how Steve Keim is building the roster vis-a-vis short and long term parameters.
By Position: (Bold Blue--Possible High Value UFA; Bold Pink---Possible Medium Value UFA)
QB:
Drew Stanton--UFA
Zac Dysert--RFA
Analysis: Palmer is signed through 2018, but could retire. if Dysert can challenge Stanton for the #2 spot, the Cardinals have another year of control with Dysert. Need: Medium/High (if Palmer retires).
RB:
Kerwynn Williams--UFA
Elijaah Penny--ERFA
Analysis: The trio of Johnson, Logan and Penny could be intact for the next 2-3 years. Need: Low/Medium (if Williams and Penny don't pan out).
WR:
Larry Fitzgerald--UFA
John Brown--UFA
Jaron Brown--UFA
Andre Ellington--UFA
Jeremy Ross--UFA
Aaron Dobson--UFA
Brittan Golden--UFA
Chris Hubert--ERFA
Marquis Bundy--ERFA
Marvin Hall--ERFA
Harvey Binford--ERFA
Analysis: If John Brown returns to form, he could earn a fairly lucrative new contract, either with the Cardinals or in FA. The only real locks to return are Nelson and Chad Williams. Need: High (if Fitzgerald retires).
TE:
Troy Niklas--UFA
Hakeem Valles--ERFA
Ifeanyi Momah--ERFA
Analysis: The only lock beyond this year is Gresham. Need: High.
OL:
Tony Bergstrom--UFA
Ulrich John--RFA
John Wetzel--ERFA
Givens Price--ERFA
Kaleb Johnson--ERFA
Daniel Munyer--ERFA
Analysis: Having drafted 5 OL in the last 3 years, the depth on the OL is solid. Wentzel looks like a keeper for the next 2 years as well. The question becomes whether the Cardinals will choose to move on from Iupati and/or Veldheer in 2018. Need: Low/Medium (if Iupati and/or Veldheer get moved).
DT:
Corey Peters--UFA
Frostee Rucker--UFA
Ed Stinson--UFA
Xavier Williams--RFA
Olsen Pierre--ERFA
Analysis: Signing Josh Mauro to a 2 year deal was smart. If Nkemdiche, Gunter, Xavier Williams and Bevins emerge as good rotation players, this unit should remain solid. Need: Medium.
Edge:
Jarvis Jones--UFA
Kareem Martin--UFA
Cap Capi--ERFA
Analysis: The question is how much the Cardinals will use Haason Reddick on the edge. Need: Medium.
ILB:
Karlos Dansby--UFA
Xavier Gooden--UFA
Alani Fua--RFA
Gabe Martin--ERFA
Scooby Wright--ERFA
Analysis: If Daryl Washington returns, this group could be super deep for the next few years. Need: Low (if Washington returns).
CB:
Justin Bethel--UFA
Ronald Zamort--ERFA
Analysis: This CB group is young, deep and intriguing. Need: Medium (if no one emerges as the #2)/Low.
S:
Tayvon Branch--UFA
Christian Bryant---RFA
Harlan Miller--ERFA
Trevon Hartfield--ERFA
Analysis: The addition of Budda Baker is timely. The question is: what kind of a performance will the team get from Mathieu, Bethea and Branch. Need: Medium/Low (if Mathieu and Bethea play well).
LS:
Aaron Brewer--UFA
Analysis: If Brewer has a good year and re-signs to a 2-3 year deal, the need is low.
P:
Matt Wile--ERFA
Analysis: If Wile is the answer, then the Cardinals have him under control for a few more years.
Free Agency 2018:
On paper right now, it doesn't look like the Cardinals are going to be in a position to amass multiple compensatory picks for 2019 as they did this off-season, largely because they don't have many top level UFAs. With another large class of their own free agents, we can expect the Cardinals to be aggressive in free agency. Next year might be a good year to sign multiple UFAs in addressing areas of need. Then they could head into the draft ready to wheel and deal to get a young QB and other talented rookies.
Last edited:
