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The Arizona Cardinals have made several moves in free agency this week. We graded those first moves from early in the week. Since adding linebackers Josh Sweat and Akeem Davis-Gaither and re-signing linebacker Baron Browning, guard Evan Brown and tackle Kelvin Beachum, they have done more.
They added quarterback Jacoby Brissett, linebacker Mykal Walker and defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson. They are bringing back receiver Zay Jones and defensive tackle L.J. Collier. They tendered receiver Greg Dortch.
What grades do they deserve for those moves?
Brissett gives the Cardinals a proven backup quarterback who can win games in a starters role. Granted, he is only 19-34 in 53 career starts, he has the NFL's lowest interception percentage in league history among qualified quarterbacks. He is experienced. He is reliable. He is a much better option than Clayton Tune, although much more expensive at $12.5 million over two seasons. This is the most the Cardinals have ever paid for a backup quarterback.
The Cardinals swung and missed in their attempt to land Milton Williams, who got $26 million per year to join the Patriots. Instead, they get a more proven player in Tomlinson, cut by the Cleveland Browns only for cap reasons, for $29 million over two years. This is a home run of a deal. He is disruptive, consistent and a proven commodity both against the run and the pass.
Walker is fine. He is a special teams player with starting experience. The Cardinals need experienced depth and special teams play. And at under $2 million, it's fine. Nonetheless, it isn't a signing to get excited about. He is just a guy they need at a position that people won't notice.
Jones only had eight catches last season and got a contract worth double than the one he had last season, making a reported $4.5 million this coming season. That said, he is a better player than he performed. His five-game suspension to start the season really derailed his season. Should they go get another receiver? Probably, but a trio of Jone with Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr. is at least a group you can play a game with.
Dortch can still test the market but can return at his highest salary ever at $3.3 million. However, that is not guaranteed. As a receiver, he isn't reliable. He is a playmaker with the ball in his hands, so they have to manufacture touches. At minimum, the Cardinals secure their punt returner at a reasonable price.
Collier, playing in every game for the first time since 2020, was solid. He started 15 games and had a career-high 3.5 sacks. He is a solid NFL starter, but having him as a rotational player makes things even better. While he might not produce more than he did last season in a different role, if he has the same numbers while being the fourth or fifth-best D-lineman on the team, that means the team is significantly better.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL free agency grades: Looking at Arizona Cardinals' recent moves
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They added quarterback Jacoby Brissett, linebacker Mykal Walker and defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson. They are bringing back receiver Zay Jones and defensive tackle L.J. Collier. They tendered receiver Greg Dortch.
What grades do they deserve for those moves?
Arizona Cardinals free agency grades, Part 2
QB Jacoby Brissett: B
Brissett gives the Cardinals a proven backup quarterback who can win games in a starters role. Granted, he is only 19-34 in 53 career starts, he has the NFL's lowest interception percentage in league history among qualified quarterbacks. He is experienced. He is reliable. He is a much better option than Clayton Tune, although much more expensive at $12.5 million over two seasons. This is the most the Cardinals have ever paid for a backup quarterback.
DT Dalvin Tomlinson: A+
The Cardinals swung and missed in their attempt to land Milton Williams, who got $26 million per year to join the Patriots. Instead, they get a more proven player in Tomlinson, cut by the Cleveland Browns only for cap reasons, for $29 million over two years. This is a home run of a deal. He is disruptive, consistent and a proven commodity both against the run and the pass.
LB Mykal Walker: B
Walker is fine. He is a special teams player with starting experience. The Cardinals need experienced depth and special teams play. And at under $2 million, it's fine. Nonetheless, it isn't a signing to get excited about. He is just a guy they need at a position that people won't notice.
WR Zay Jones: C
Jones only had eight catches last season and got a contract worth double than the one he had last season, making a reported $4.5 million this coming season. That said, he is a better player than he performed. His five-game suspension to start the season really derailed his season. Should they go get another receiver? Probably, but a trio of Jone with Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr. is at least a group you can play a game with.
WR Greg Dortch (tender offer): C
Dortch can still test the market but can return at his highest salary ever at $3.3 million. However, that is not guaranteed. As a receiver, he isn't reliable. He is a playmaker with the ball in his hands, so they have to manufacture touches. At minimum, the Cardinals secure their punt returner at a reasonable price.
DL L.J. Collier: B
Collier, playing in every game for the first time since 2020, was solid. He started 15 games and had a career-high 3.5 sacks. He is a solid NFL starter, but having him as a rotational player makes things even better. While he might not produce more than he did last season in a different role, if he has the same numbers while being the fourth or fifth-best D-lineman on the team, that means the team is significantly better.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL free agency grades: Looking at Arizona Cardinals' recent moves
Continue reading...
