One of the biggest winners coming out of the Super Bowl was Josh Sweat. His 2.5 sack total eliminated any doubt he was the top Edge in Free Agency. With strong ties to Gannon there seems little doubt then Cards will aggressively pursue him. Assuming Gannon gives his blessing surely the Cards are in a dominant position to sign him. From Sweat’s point of view the Cards are a team on the rise. He knows the defense they play. Gannon was a popular DC. Finally, the Cards have money to spend in a season with only a moderate free agent group. It all lines up. The only question is, will Ossenfort commit this large a portion of his bank to one player?
The other concept that came from the Super Bowl was the value of exceptional lines. Clearly superior line play was a major key to the Eagles’ win. Even if they secure Sweat, I expect the Cards to focus heavily on line strength. If Sweat is signed it enhances my view that the Cards should draft a DT first. If Sweat is in house the Cards should think 4 man pass rush. Those 4 don’t have to all be lineman. Sweat and Robinson are likely components. An athletic DT who can help collapse the pocket and anchor when needed would fill one of the 2 remaining slots. Perhaps last season’sp injured free agents can finish the set. Extending this reasoning, unless the Cards have a marked preference they would likely be persuaded to trade down.
Round 1 has a rich set of DTs. Likely the best group in many years. Graham will almost certainly go in the top 10 picks. Leaving Grant, Nolen & Harmon to be on the board. At least one is likely to survive until fairly late in the round. Teams like Houston and Baltimore might well offer a first and second round pick to move up to 16th. The Cards could then secure an OT, G or one of the remaining Edges in round 2 filling 2 holes. Maybe taking a WR or G in round 3. So if they can sign Sweat it really opens up the board. If you don’t want to chance going that low offering a third or fourth may move the pick slightly higher. Of course they could always throw in a 2026 pick.
There’s a great deal of talk about trading for a level one Edge. I find that unlikely. Ossenfort’s strategy is to build through the draft. So logically the only major free agent signings would be ones which enhance the draft. Again that’s what makes Sweat’s signing so logical. It fits the Cards philosophy.
The other concept that came from the Super Bowl was the value of exceptional lines. Clearly superior line play was a major key to the Eagles’ win. Even if they secure Sweat, I expect the Cards to focus heavily on line strength. If Sweat is signed it enhances my view that the Cards should draft a DT first. If Sweat is in house the Cards should think 4 man pass rush. Those 4 don’t have to all be lineman. Sweat and Robinson are likely components. An athletic DT who can help collapse the pocket and anchor when needed would fill one of the 2 remaining slots. Perhaps last season’sp injured free agents can finish the set. Extending this reasoning, unless the Cards have a marked preference they would likely be persuaded to trade down.
Round 1 has a rich set of DTs. Likely the best group in many years. Graham will almost certainly go in the top 10 picks. Leaving Grant, Nolen & Harmon to be on the board. At least one is likely to survive until fairly late in the round. Teams like Houston and Baltimore might well offer a first and second round pick to move up to 16th. The Cards could then secure an OT, G or one of the remaining Edges in round 2 filling 2 holes. Maybe taking a WR or G in round 3. So if they can sign Sweat it really opens up the board. If you don’t want to chance going that low offering a third or fourth may move the pick slightly higher. Of course they could always throw in a 2026 pick.
There’s a great deal of talk about trading for a level one Edge. I find that unlikely. Ossenfort’s strategy is to build through the draft. So logically the only major free agent signings would be ones which enhance the draft. Again that’s what makes Sweat’s signing so logical. It fits the Cards philosophy.
