Cardinals sign Josh Sweat

[Chris_Sanders]

Kyle is not a fan

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Signed edge rusher Josh Sweat (4 years, $76.4 million, $41 million guaranteed)
Grade: D

Analysis: This is such a Cardinals move. They missed out on the crown jewel of the free agent defensive line crop – Milton Williams – and instead overpaid for an edge who is a solid player, but is not going to inject fear into opposing linemen.

Sweat can both rush the passer and defend the run at an above average level, so he’s a useful piece, but the Cardinals needed a game-wrecker.

I fully believe Sweat was a product of a dominant defensive line, as he didn’t get nearly the attention of most standout edge-rushers since Philly was so good everywhere else. The Cardinals’ defensive front is substantially worse, and Sweat’s effectiveness will be affected by the move.

The market for Sweat clearly was not super hot, and the Cardinals made a mistake here after missing out on Williams. The smart move would have been to trade for Trey Hendrickson, who is leaps and bounds better than Sweat despite being 30 years old.

Salty as the ocean geez

 

[Chopper0080]

Unfortunately Robinson didnt show anything to be considered a key piece of the front seven

True but his level of athletic ability on a line that has enough talent to not have to deal with double teams seems like a good environment to be successful. Just ask Josh Sweat.

 

[Heucrazy]

I was hoping for this and it happened. Some good news for a change. I think it’s a decent contract and the D-Line got instantly better.

 

[Harry]

Kyle is not a fan

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Signed edge rusher Josh Sweat (4 years, $76.4 million, $41 million guaranteed)
Grade: D

Analysis: This is such a Cardinals move. They missed out on the crown jewel of the free agent defensive line crop – Milton Williams – and instead overpaid for an edge who is a solid player, but is not going to inject fear into opposing linemen.

Sweat can both rush the passer and defend the run at an above average level, so he’s a useful piece, but the Cardinals needed a game-wrecker.

I fully believe Sweat was a product of a dominant defensive line, as he didn’t get nearly the attention of most standout edge-rushers since Philly was so good everywhere else. The Cardinals’ defensive front is substantially worse, and Sweat’s effectiveness will be affected by the move.

The market for Sweat clearly was not super hot, and the Cardinals made a mistake here after missing out on Williams. The smart move would have been to trade for Trey Hendrickson, who is leaps and bounds better than Sweat despite being 30 years old.

The only accurate thing about this review is the comment Sweat benefitted from a dominant line. There are also plenty of poor Edges who played behind good lines. Sweat did his job and capitalized on a favorable situation. Now the Cards need to build that line. This is a solid signing at the right price for all parties. I don’t expect Sweat to head to the Pro Bowl. I expect him to be a competent Edge.

 

[PDXChris]

Unfortunately Robinson didnt show anything to be considered a key piece of the front seven

This is not correct. In his limited play, while playing with one healthy calf, he showed enough while being double teams often to be excited for year two. DL and OL depend on their calves for a lot of their push and he showed plenty of push with only one good. He will be a disrupter with two healthy ones! We were never told the severity of it, but given he missed 11 game (12 weeks), it is safe to say it was a grade 2 or 3. Lets now forget that initially there were reports he wouldn't play last season at all because of it.

 

[juza76]

True but his level of athletic ability on a line that has enough talent to not have to deal with double teams seems like a good environment to be successful. Just ask Josh Sweat.

Dont know if the calf wasnt fully healed and being pretty far from his 100%, but was pretty slow getting off the blocks

 

[PDXChris]

He was double and tripled teams in his first game and opened up room for others to pressure the QB. Sure, he made some rookie mistakes, but

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[BirdGangThing]

sweat may have benefited from a stacked eagles line but that same line benefited with him at the end

d-rob's calve should be better than ever - also sounds like he's in a better mental space as well - he's a dawg on the field but was very soft spoken in the piece i watched

but we aren't there yet - we're still one more serious free agent and one more first round draft pick away - we have a defensive head coach and a defensive coordinator who's over achieved

 

[PDXChris]

sportsnationco. (@sportsnationco) on Threads

I think I have every single signing so far, here are my early thoughts. Will post a more polished version once contract details are finalized, but here’s a general idea of where I stand on these moves.

www.threads.net

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[Harry]

sportsnationco. (@sportsnationco) on Threads

I think I have every single signing so far, here are my early thoughts. Will post a more polished version once contract details are finalized, but here’s a general idea of where I stand on these moves.

www.threads.net

You must be registered for see images attach

ESPN gave the Sweat signing a B

 

[GeorgiaCard88]

ESPN gave the Sweat signing a B

Sweat is a B grade player probably

For the cardinals who had a gaping hole at this position- I give it an A. We finally have a player on this defense besides Buddha that offense coordinators will have to game plan for

 

[kerouac9]

He was double and tripled teams in his first game and opened up room for others to pressure the QB. Sure, he made some rookie mistakes, but

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That’s not what a real triple-team or even double-team looks like. He didn’t do anything in those snaps.

 

[Stout]

Sweat and Browning will both struggle to live up to their contracts if we don't get some inside push.
We have already seen Darius start to command a double team towards the end of the season...Nolen or Grant next to him could make a huge difference in our overall pressure ability.
Adding Hendrikson into the mix would be huge.
I just don't want to give up 47 in this draft when we need so much defensive help...and an OT,... but I have come to the conclusion I would give this year's 3rd and a 2026 2nd to get Trey

When TF did we see Darius start to become a stud? Was it in an alternate reality?

 

[Stout]

This is not correct. In his limited play, while playing with one healthy calf, he showed enough while being double teams often to be excited for year two. DL and OL depend on their calves for a lot of their push and he showed plenty of push with only one good. He will be a disrupter with two healthy ones! We were never told the severity of it, but given he missed 11 game (12 weeks), it is safe to say it was a grade 2 or 3. Lets now forget that initially there were reports he wouldn't play last season at all because of it.

Where is this coming from? I was watching him routinely get blown off the ball. I'm willing to give him a mulligan for last year, but I'm not in agreement that he was showing flashes of any great talent.

 

[kerouac9]

Where is this coming from? I was watching him routinely get blown off the ball. I'm willing to give him a mulligan for last year, but I'm not in agreement that he was showing flashes of any great talent.

This is the correct Robinson take. He didn’t show anything to suspect he’s actively bad, but he didn’t show anything suggesting he is a potential monster. Total incomplete grade.

Pretty much all indications on Beej and Kei’Trel Clark are they’re busts.

 

[FB94]

Big year for Robinson. Was his mediocre play due to his injury and lack of reps until late, or this is what he really is. I’m pulling for him and want him to make a huge leap. Time will tell

 

[Crimson Warrior]

are you saying they now have no money for McBride because they certainly do

No I mean the best long term strategy is to not get the most expensive FAs (from other teams).

To instead write the biggest checks to guys already on the team (I guess like we did for Fitz).

For one reason, it sends the right message to the 1st and 2nd year guys on your team. "Play well and you'll be rewarded".

And I think it's a better long term strategy to keep a core of good/great players together as long as possible. They are the established leaders in the locker room generally.

Sweat's production and price fits the "plug holes in FA" strategy perfectly, but the Williams kid was a little too expensive (in my humble opinion).

 

[ajcardfan]

This is the correct Robinson take. He didn’t show anything to suspect he’s actively bad, but he didn’t show anything suggesting he is a potential monster. Total incomplete grade.

Pretty much all indications on Beej and Kei’Trel Clark are they’re busts.

Clark was a 6th round pick and there is no such thing as a 6th round bust.

 

[Chopper0080]

No I mean the best long term strategy is to not get the most expensive FAs (from other teams).

To instead write the biggest checks to guys already on the team (I guess like we did for Fitz).

For one reason, it sends the right message to the 1st and 2nd year guys on your team. "Play well and you'll be rewarded".

And I think it's a better long term strategy to keep a core of good/great players together as long as possible. They are the established leaders in the locker room generally.

Sweat's production and price fits the "plug holes in FA" strategy perfectly, but the Williams kid was a little too expensive (in my humble opinion).

Yes, it is the best way. The problem is you have to be able to draft those players worth re-signing to large contracts.

 

[CardsFan88]

We got word that teams respected Darius (on draft position and lack of tape) in his limited play on a bad line.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

Clark was a 6th round pick and there is no such thing as a 6th round bust.

Yeah for whatever reason @kerouac9 does not like Clark.

For a sixth round pick, and thrown to wolves, the kid flashed plenty his rookie year, throwing his body around in run support and stuff. I think he did okay in spot duty in 2024 too.

But whatever.

 

[oaken1]

When TF did we see Darius start to become a stud? Was it in an alternate reality?

Did I say stud?

 

[ajcardfan]

Yeah for whatever reason @kerouac9 does not like Clark.

For a sixth round pick, and thrown to wolves, the kid flashed plenty his rookie year, throwing his body around in run support and stuff. I think he did okay in spot duty in 2024 too.

But whatever.

He beat the odds to even make a roster in year one. Only about 30% of 6th round picks get even that far

 

[Russ Smith]

Sweet! Way to go Monti

It's Sweat Shane not Sweet

 

[outcent13]

Yes, it is the best way. The problem is you have to be able to draft those players worth re-signing to large contracts.

Exactly and a perfect reason why you need to bring guys like Josh Allen and Byron Murphy back at the end of their first contract.