Cards Czar
The Bird is the Word
E.J. Ganes (26) CB-
Rashaan Melvin (28) CB-
Morris Claiborne, (28) CB-
Tre Boston, S-
Eric Reid (26) S-
Rashaan Melvin (28) CB-
Morris Claiborne, (28) CB-
Tre Boston, S-
Eric Reid (26) S-
Looking at remaining FAs
- Thread starter RON_IN_OC
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DRC on the cheapish across from PP would lessen my worries about the secondary.
BillsCarnage
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I'd be surprised if either are signed before camp starts. They seem more likely to get signed once the injuries start happening.
so...2 QB's and 2 OLinemen... pretty much makes us done until we can find a minimum wage WR doesnt it?
Cards Czar
The Bird is the Word
Whats weird is that no Safeties have been signed yet, league wide.
I wouldn’t necessarily sign all these guys, but I thought I would mention them as they are some of the players I find interesting in this second or third wave of free agency. Some of them might already be gone by tomorrow but that’s probably the risk when making a list like this. I should also add that some of them are on the market because of injury concerns. I guess that’s the nature of this league, and just maybe the Cardinals can get some really good contributors by taking risks.
Ndamukong Suh
I wonder why the Cardinals have cleared cap space by cutting Mathieu and Mauro while getting Iupati to take a pay cut, and I’m guessing they are moving on from Veldheer in the very near future. Since the salary cap are not much of an obstacle anymore, and they obviously have a lot of cap space already, I just find it a bit strange. I haven’t seen the structure of the contracts to Bradford, Glennon, and Pugh, but I would guess they want to take the biggest cap hit next season where they are scheduled to have a crazy amount of cap space. That’s what they did with Andre Smith.
It could be that they simply didn’t think Mathieu, Iupati and Mauro were worth the money on their contracts, but it could also be that they are preparing a move for an expensive fish in free agency or via trade.
I think Suh is the best player left on the market. I think he has been dominant at times with the Dolphins, and I think he might be what the Cardinals have missed on the defensive line since Calais Campbell left. Some might think of Suh as the guy that stumped on someones head and other controversial stuff like that, but I would imagine those people haven’t seen him play at Miami. He is obviously not that guy anymore. Also, the Panthers’ defense put a lot of stock and resources into their defensive line. Steve Wilks and Al Holcomb might be affected by that.
Bennie Logan
Logan is more of a two-down run stopper, but I think he has been good with the Eagles for a number of years before he was somewhat of an afterthought last year with the Chiefs. I am a huge believer in that games are won in the trenches, and since Corey Peters, Robert Nkemdiche and Rodney Gunter are probably the Cardinals’ best defensive linemen as of now I think they should beef up the unit.
E. J. Gaines
I think he has played well with the Bills. I just think you have to wonder why neither the Rams nor the Bills in a span of only one year have been reluctant to let him leave.
Tramon Williams
I think he played very well last season. Yes, he is an older guy, but that’s not a guarantee for being in decline. Just look at Terence Newman.
Justin Bethel
I know I am in the minority here, but I think special teams are important, and Bethel is one of the best at it. I would sign him to be a special teams monster, and I would tell him that it was the reason. I think that would be something to be very proud of and attractive as a player. By the way, who knows if Steve Wilks can get anything out of him as a cornerback. Wilks was known as somewhat of a secondary wizard in Carolina, and every coach who has been around Bethel has given high praise for his potential.
Jeremy Maclin
I think he is worth taking a flyer on. He’s probably done but you never know.
Cody Latimer
It’s not that long ago that Latimer was a second round draftpick with huge potential. He has never lived up to that, but he did have his best season yet last year. That’s obviously always a bit suspicious right before hitting free agency, though. Latimer is also a great special teams player. I would take a flyer on him.
Tyrell Williams
I won’t take credit for this suggestion as it was Dave that brought him up. The Chargers have given him a second-round tender, though, and I am not sure if I am willing to pay that. Also, I have always thought it was sort of weird to give a player a second-round tender. I mean, if they really wanted to keep him they would give him a first round tender or a new contract. If they are not that set on keeping him, why not give him a lower tender and save some money?
Jordan Matthews
He obviously didn’t play that well with the Bills, and it should be considered that the Eagles were willing to let him go. Still he will probably instantly be one of the best receivers on the Cardinals’ roster. It also worth noting, I think, that though he is not that much of a vertical threat it’s not exactly like Sam Bradford usually takes a lot of downfield chances. Matthews could fit in well.
NaVorro Bowman
I think he played very well with the Raiders this past season, and if he can still play just a bit under his level post-injury, I think he would be well worth signing. Obviously, the Panthers put a lot of stock into their linebackers.
Pernell McPhee
He hasn’t played that well with the Bears, and he also has health issues. He was good with the Ravens, though, and since Kareem Martin left they need someone in the edge rusher rotation.
Alex Boone
I really like the signings of Andre Smith and Justin Pugh. I just think Boone played well last season, and that he could be a good backup.
Mike Pouncey
I think he played well last season. I would at least try to bring him in for a visit, get to know him and put him through a physical.
Kenny Vaccaro
If they are not moving Bucannon back to safety, and if Steve Wilks are in fact serious about being a physical team, then I think they should add a player like Vaccaro to the secondary. I think they have lacked that violent presence since Swearinger left.
Eric Reid
A bit like with Vaccaro in that Reid also has that hard-hitting mentality, and he is obviously a very good cover guy. I also think he has been a good player for the Niners, and if he is healthy I think he could be a good addition.
Ndamukong Suh
I wonder why the Cardinals have cleared cap space by cutting Mathieu and Mauro while getting Iupati to take a pay cut, and I’m guessing they are moving on from Veldheer in the very near future. Since the salary cap are not much of an obstacle anymore, and they obviously have a lot of cap space already, I just find it a bit strange. I haven’t seen the structure of the contracts to Bradford, Glennon, and Pugh, but I would guess they want to take the biggest cap hit next season where they are scheduled to have a crazy amount of cap space. That’s what they did with Andre Smith.
It could be that they simply didn’t think Mathieu, Iupati and Mauro were worth the money on their contracts, but it could also be that they are preparing a move for an expensive fish in free agency or via trade.
I think Suh is the best player left on the market. I think he has been dominant at times with the Dolphins, and I think he might be what the Cardinals have missed on the defensive line since Calais Campbell left. Some might think of Suh as the guy that stumped on someones head and other controversial stuff like that, but I would imagine those people haven’t seen him play at Miami. He is obviously not that guy anymore. Also, the Panthers’ defense put a lot of stock and resources into their defensive line. Steve Wilks and Al Holcomb might be affected by that.
Bennie Logan
Logan is more of a two-down run stopper, but I think he has been good with the Eagles for a number of years before he was somewhat of an afterthought last year with the Chiefs. I am a huge believer in that games are won in the trenches, and since Corey Peters, Robert Nkemdiche and Rodney Gunter are probably the Cardinals’ best defensive linemen as of now I think they should beef up the unit.
E. J. Gaines
I think he has played well with the Bills. I just think you have to wonder why neither the Rams nor the Bills in a span of only one year have been reluctant to let him leave.
Tramon Williams
I think he played very well last season. Yes, he is an older guy, but that’s not a guarantee for being in decline. Just look at Terence Newman.
Justin Bethel
I know I am in the minority here, but I think special teams are important, and Bethel is one of the best at it. I would sign him to be a special teams monster, and I would tell him that it was the reason. I think that would be something to be very proud of and attractive as a player. By the way, who knows if Steve Wilks can get anything out of him as a cornerback. Wilks was known as somewhat of a secondary wizard in Carolina, and every coach who has been around Bethel has given high praise for his potential.
Jeremy Maclin
I think he is worth taking a flyer on. He’s probably done but you never know.
Cody Latimer
It’s not that long ago that Latimer was a second round draftpick with huge potential. He has never lived up to that, but he did have his best season yet last year. That’s obviously always a bit suspicious right before hitting free agency, though. Latimer is also a great special teams player. I would take a flyer on him.
Tyrell Williams
I won’t take credit for this suggestion as it was Dave that brought him up. The Chargers have given him a second-round tender, though, and I am not sure if I am willing to pay that. Also, I have always thought it was sort of weird to give a player a second-round tender. I mean, if they really wanted to keep him they would give him a first round tender or a new contract. If they are not that set on keeping him, why not give him a lower tender and save some money?
Jordan Matthews
He obviously didn’t play that well with the Bills, and it should be considered that the Eagles were willing to let him go. Still he will probably instantly be one of the best receivers on the Cardinals’ roster. It also worth noting, I think, that though he is not that much of a vertical threat it’s not exactly like Sam Bradford usually takes a lot of downfield chances. Matthews could fit in well.
NaVorro Bowman
I think he played very well with the Raiders this past season, and if he can still play just a bit under his level post-injury, I think he would be well worth signing. Obviously, the Panthers put a lot of stock into their linebackers.
Pernell McPhee
He hasn’t played that well with the Bears, and he also has health issues. He was good with the Ravens, though, and since Kareem Martin left they need someone in the edge rusher rotation.
Alex Boone
I really like the signings of Andre Smith and Justin Pugh. I just think Boone played well last season, and that he could be a good backup.
Mike Pouncey
I think he played well last season. I would at least try to bring him in for a visit, get to know him and put him through a physical.
Kenny Vaccaro
If they are not moving Bucannon back to safety, and if Steve Wilks are in fact serious about being a physical team, then I think they should add a player like Vaccaro to the secondary. I think they have lacked that violent presence since Swearinger left.
Eric Reid
A bit like with Vaccaro in that Reid also has that hard-hitting mentality, and he is obviously a very good cover guy. I also think he has been a good player for the Niners, and if he is healthy I think he could be a good addition.
Two players from my list have visited, and none from the list has been signed by other teams. I like it.
Is there anyone on this list that's an upgrade over Buc so we can cut him?
http://walterfootball.com/freeagents2018ILB.php
http://walterfootball.com/freeagents2018ILB.php
Seven players from my list are still on the free agent market. I hope the Cardinals look at some of them.
Jeremy Maclin, wide receiver
Jordan Matthews, wide receiver
Bennie Logan, defensive tackle
NaVorro Bowman, linebacker
Alex Boone, offensive guard
Kenny Vaccaro, safety
Eric Reid, safety.
Further, the Bills released edge rusher Ryan Davis and the Raiders released tight end Clive Walford. I think both of them should at least be considered.
overseascardfan
ASFN Addict
I hope they are saving the money for DRC, #2 CB is real need and he is arguably the best FA left on the market.
Pryor is a d-bag. No thanks for any amount. He is the anti-Fitz.
Pryor signed with the Jets a couple of days ago. He is not an option anymore.
AsUpRoDiGy
Magnanimous
RGIII signed with the Ravens today. See if he can make it past pre-season without being injured!
I guess we are still some month away from the annual successful Keim signings, but I thought it might be interesting to take another look at the free agent market now that the draft is over. Keep in mind that there are definitely reasons why these players are still on the market, and most of those reasons are negative. That said, I believe a player like Rodgers-Cromartie has been quoted as saying that he just doesn’t want to sign right now.
Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin is still out there. The last few seasons has obviously shown that he is not the same players as he once was but still I think it would be a nice addition. Guys like Carlton Agudosi, Brice Butler, Cobi Hamilton and to some extent J.J. Nelson does nothing for me. In my opinion, only Fitzgerald, Kirk and Chad Williams are locks to make the team.
Wide receiver Eric Decker could be another option. I thought Decker played fairly well last season with the Titans without setting anything on fire, and he is only two seasons removed from a very productive season with the Jets.
Offensive guard Alex Boone is still a free agent. I liked him last season, and I would bring him back if for nothing else to create more competition in training camp.
Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins is available, though he was almost the only good player on the Colts’ defensive line last season. His release from them is said to be because of scheme fit with their new defensive coordinator, and I am not sure he would be a good fit in Al Holcomb’s defense either. I am worried about the defensive line.
Inside linebacker Navorro Bowman has not been signed yet. I know they are counting on Bynes to man the middle, but I don’t know who will back him up, or who he will back up when it’s all said on done. I thought Bowman was solid with the Raiders last season.
Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is obviously still out there as well. I think you all know why he would be an attractive signing.
I don’t understand why safety Kenny Vaccaro has not been signed yet. In my opinion he is at the very top of the unsigned free agents list. I think he would compliment Budda Baker very well.
Safety Tre Boston is another interesting name. He was great last season with the Chargers, and the rumor is that the only reason he is still unsigned is that he is looking for a big multiyear contract that teams are simply unwilling to give him. Steve Wilks and Al Holcomb obviously has a history with Boston.
Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin is still out there. The last few seasons has obviously shown that he is not the same players as he once was but still I think it would be a nice addition. Guys like Carlton Agudosi, Brice Butler, Cobi Hamilton and to some extent J.J. Nelson does nothing for me. In my opinion, only Fitzgerald, Kirk and Chad Williams are locks to make the team.
Wide receiver Eric Decker could be another option. I thought Decker played fairly well last season with the Titans without setting anything on fire, and he is only two seasons removed from a very productive season with the Jets.
Offensive guard Alex Boone is still a free agent. I liked him last season, and I would bring him back if for nothing else to create more competition in training camp.
Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins is available, though he was almost the only good player on the Colts’ defensive line last season. His release from them is said to be because of scheme fit with their new defensive coordinator, and I am not sure he would be a good fit in Al Holcomb’s defense either. I am worried about the defensive line.
Inside linebacker Navorro Bowman has not been signed yet. I know they are counting on Bynes to man the middle, but I don’t know who will back him up, or who he will back up when it’s all said on done. I thought Bowman was solid with the Raiders last season.
Cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is obviously still out there as well. I think you all know why he would be an attractive signing.
I don’t understand why safety Kenny Vaccaro has not been signed yet. In my opinion he is at the very top of the unsigned free agents list. I think he would compliment Budda Baker very well.
Safety Tre Boston is another interesting name. He was great last season with the Chargers, and the rumor is that the only reason he is still unsigned is that he is looking for a big multiyear contract that teams are simply unwilling to give him. Steve Wilks and Al Holcomb obviously has a history with Boston.
RugbyMuffin
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To piggyback off this post, I would assume if Keim wanted to look at signing players, it would be after June 1st.
Why? Because the cuts would be "post-June 1st" AND the money would be instantly available to use, since.....well, it would be after June 1st.
The Cardinals sit at around 19 million. Minus about 7million for rookies, and the Cardinals like to have a healthy 3 to 4 million during the season, so let's say they have about 9 million to play with.
Since you list a couple above, I also like:
- Jonathan Hankins, DT
- Navorro Bowman, ILB
- Dominique Roger-Cromartie, NB
- Tre Boston, FS
- Mike Tolbert, FB
- Dontrelle Inman
- Connor Barwin
That is about it, for players I think could help. Not sure Alex Boone has a place mattering on how soon Madison Cole sees the field.
There are some over aged ILBers besides Bowman I like as well, but if the team is going over aged ILBer Bowman is the best of the bunch, IMHO.
I am purging a lot of old stuff. I came across my stitched DRC Jersey this past weekend and nearly pitched it. I held off thinking “maybe...”
But, if I toss it out, he probably a lock to sign... what do you guys want me to do?
But, if I toss it out, he probably a lock to sign... what do you guys want me to do?
wa52lz
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Toss it!!! He'd be a great sign at this point.
compromise...send it to me
Got a blacked stitched one as well, Come on Cards make my Jersey relevant again, Got a PP21 and a DRC black stitched Jerseys could rock the starting CB's LOL
Ohcrap75
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Bashaud Breland is still out there after his deal was voided from an infection. He would be high on my list if cleared by doctors
JeffGollin
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Turn it into a throw-pillow cover.
I guess we can’t call it Keim Time signings, but I thought I would take a look at the updated open market anyway, since I really think the Cardinals need reinforcements at a couple of positions. Not all of these suggestions are the same as I have mentioned before because, well, because I have changed my mind on those suggestions, and because some of them has been signed by other teams. I really wanted to find some tight ends but there simply is not anyone on the market that I think are that interesting.
Wide receiver
Actually, I am somewhat optimistic about the group at training camp. I don’t know. I guess I just like Kirk and Little, and maybe someone will emerge. That said, it wouldn’t hurt to bring in another guy.
Marquess Wilson
I see Marquess Wilson as a low risk, high reward player. I mean, not high reward like he could be an All Pro, but just as someone coming in and contributing in the regular season.
Wilson hasn’t played in the NFL since the end of the 2016 season (so, the same as Greg Little), and though he emerged as kind of a deep threat in both 2015 and 2016, he has never really been that productive. On top of that, he has had a lot of injuries. He definitely has the talent, though.
He entered the league in 2013 as a seventh round pick, but he certainly wasn’t your typical seventh round pick. Wilson was by far the best receiver at Washington State, but during his junior year he was suspended indefinitely because he violated team rules. Also during the season, he was called out in very unusual way by his head coach Mike Leach (among other things, Leach called Wilson a coward). Later he walked out of a practice, decided he would never play at the school again and released a letter in which he criticized Leach and the rest of the coaching staff, and, among other things, accused them of physical, emotional and verbal abuse (I don’t know any specifics about the abuse, but it didn’t involve striking any player). Later he retracted those allegations. The off the field issues caused by the odd departure from school was probably the only reason that he lasted till the seventh round. Some analyst’ said that he was good enough to warrant a second- or third round selection.
Wilson is not a good special teams player, though.
Dontrelle Inman
Inman entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2014, and over the next two seasons he developed into a really solid receiver with the Chargers. Somehow, he ended up at the bottom of their depth chart after the 2016 season (well, the reason is not stranger than that the Chargers had and have really good receivers), and he was then traded to the Bears. Though the Bears had a very limited passing attack last season, Inman still managed to put up respectable numbers.
Inman is a great blocker and a great special teams player.
I am kind of surprised that Inman is still available.
Defensive end
I think I am more concerned with this unit than most others but seeing how the situation with Golden develops I am becoming more certain that they should bring in another presence. I am really rooting for Arthur Moats – he is a tremendous person – but I just doubt he is good enough.
Charles Johnson
The Panthers released Johnson after last season because he isn’t very good anymore. I understand that’s not a good way to start this sale speech, but the reality is that Johnson’s play was not good last season, and really it has been going downward for a couple of years. I do think, though, that he can be a good situational pass rusher, kind of like Freeney was, and at least bring some quality opposite Chandler Jones.
Charles Johnson had been with the Panthers his entire career, and thus Steve Wilks knows very well what Johnson can do. That can also be a bad thing for Johnson, by the way.
Robert Ayers
The Buccaneers released Ayers after last season. He only had two sacks, but if you look at the tape he consistently put pressure on the quarterback as he ranked 20th leaguewide in that statistic, and on a per-snap basis he was almost as disruptive as Michael Bennett from the Seahawks and Everson Griffin from the Vikings. He was also very good against the run as evidence by making a stop on 8.4 percent of his plays which ranked as the 8th highest of all defensive linemen that played at least 50 percent of the team’s defensive snaps against run plays. Also, he is just two years removed from a nine sack-season.
The former first round pick has often been injured, so again I am offering a low risk, high reward player.
Linebacker
I know the names the Cardinals has behind Reddick, Bucannon and Bynes, but save for Scooby Wright, I don’t have any idea if they are any good.
NaVorro Bowman
How Bowman is still unsigned is way beyond my imagination. Granted, he’s not the player he was before his gruesome injury, but he can certainly still play, proved by his last season with the Raiders. Anyway, they let him go, and obviously no team has signed him yet so maybe I am simply overrating him. Maybe teams are seeing him as primarily a run stuffing linebacker, and nowadays those are not deployed that much anymore. I trust Josh Bynes to play every snap on first down, and the few required on second down, but I mean, having a player like Bowman that is not only good against the run but also by no means a liability in coverage has to be of interest to defensive coordinators. Or maybe it is just because he wants more money than anyone is willing to pay.
If they brought Bowman in, yet still had Bynes as their starter, I would be surprised if Bowman didn’t supplant Bynes within a couple of weeks. Also, Bowman is smart enough that he could call the plays if he did manage to beat out Bynes. Obviously, it is risky to say that any free agent still on the market this long into the season would be a big upgrade, but I honestly think Bowman could be just that.
Gerald Hodges
The Cardinals have already had Hodges in for a workout.
I don’t know why Hodges had a forgettable season with the Saints last year, because before that he was pretty good. In 2016 he contributed a good deal to the Niners’ defense (his statistical best season), and before that he played well with the Vikings. Last offseason some pundits even rated him as one of the sleepers on the free agent-market.
Hodges has consistently improved in pass coverage, and he is a good player. He’s also serviceable on special teams.
Cornerback
I mean, I like the trade for Jamar Taylor as I think he can actually be a good player across from Peterson. I also has hope for a young guy like Chris Campbell, and more than anything I have hope that Steve Wilks can help this unit with his expertise. That said, I would feel much more comfortable if they signed another proven veteran.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
I am a little surprised that Rodgers-Cromartie has not been getting more interest on the open market. I guess he is waiting for someone to get injured and a spot opening, and he did turn down a workout with the Seahawks recently (though that was apparently because of some family matter).
He might be getting up there in age, but I thought he still played at a high level last season with the Giants. Yes, he played most of his snaps as a nickel back but he is obviously used to playing the outside position, having experience both on the right and left side, so I am not worried about that.
Last season he didn’t record any interceptions, but he rarely gave up big gains and he did a good job keeping the receiver in front of him. Also, he is only two years removed from picking off six interceptions and batting down 21 passes.
Bashaud Breeland
Health problems are literally the only reason why Breeland is still unsigned as he actually got signed by the Panthers on the first day of free agency (in fact, it got done before free agency even opened up), only to have the contract voided after he failed a physical that was not allowed to take place before after the start of free agency. A couple of month ago it was reported that the injury was not a problem anymore, yet somehow Breeland is still a free agent.
A reasonable guess as to why he is still on the market might be that at least six teams have shown interest in him, so he could be trying to leverage multiple offers against each other in hope of getting a similar deal as to the one he got from the Panthers. That was a three year, 24 million deal. Breeland is a veteran so he doesn’t really need the start of a training camp, and thus he can take his time. By the way, the Cardinals are one of the aforementioned six teams.
Breeland was a very good cornerback last season. He recorded 50 tackles, he batted down 20 passes (he ranked #12 in the NFL in that statistic) and he made one interception which he returned for a touchdown. Maybe more importantly, he covered his direct opponents very well.
I am hoping that Al Holcomb will deploy a similar defense to that of the Panthers, and that they originally signed Breeland is a sign that Holcomb would very much like to have Breeland at his disposal as well (and I believe it would be since he was a natural fit in Carolina).
Wide receiver
Actually, I am somewhat optimistic about the group at training camp. I don’t know. I guess I just like Kirk and Little, and maybe someone will emerge. That said, it wouldn’t hurt to bring in another guy.
Marquess Wilson
I see Marquess Wilson as a low risk, high reward player. I mean, not high reward like he could be an All Pro, but just as someone coming in and contributing in the regular season.
Wilson hasn’t played in the NFL since the end of the 2016 season (so, the same as Greg Little), and though he emerged as kind of a deep threat in both 2015 and 2016, he has never really been that productive. On top of that, he has had a lot of injuries. He definitely has the talent, though.
He entered the league in 2013 as a seventh round pick, but he certainly wasn’t your typical seventh round pick. Wilson was by far the best receiver at Washington State, but during his junior year he was suspended indefinitely because he violated team rules. Also during the season, he was called out in very unusual way by his head coach Mike Leach (among other things, Leach called Wilson a coward). Later he walked out of a practice, decided he would never play at the school again and released a letter in which he criticized Leach and the rest of the coaching staff, and, among other things, accused them of physical, emotional and verbal abuse (I don’t know any specifics about the abuse, but it didn’t involve striking any player). Later he retracted those allegations. The off the field issues caused by the odd departure from school was probably the only reason that he lasted till the seventh round. Some analyst’ said that he was good enough to warrant a second- or third round selection.
Wilson is not a good special teams player, though.
Dontrelle Inman
Inman entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2014, and over the next two seasons he developed into a really solid receiver with the Chargers. Somehow, he ended up at the bottom of their depth chart after the 2016 season (well, the reason is not stranger than that the Chargers had and have really good receivers), and he was then traded to the Bears. Though the Bears had a very limited passing attack last season, Inman still managed to put up respectable numbers.
Inman is a great blocker and a great special teams player.
I am kind of surprised that Inman is still available.
Defensive end
I think I am more concerned with this unit than most others but seeing how the situation with Golden develops I am becoming more certain that they should bring in another presence. I am really rooting for Arthur Moats – he is a tremendous person – but I just doubt he is good enough.
Charles Johnson
The Panthers released Johnson after last season because he isn’t very good anymore. I understand that’s not a good way to start this sale speech, but the reality is that Johnson’s play was not good last season, and really it has been going downward for a couple of years. I do think, though, that he can be a good situational pass rusher, kind of like Freeney was, and at least bring some quality opposite Chandler Jones.
Charles Johnson had been with the Panthers his entire career, and thus Steve Wilks knows very well what Johnson can do. That can also be a bad thing for Johnson, by the way.
Robert Ayers
The Buccaneers released Ayers after last season. He only had two sacks, but if you look at the tape he consistently put pressure on the quarterback as he ranked 20th leaguewide in that statistic, and on a per-snap basis he was almost as disruptive as Michael Bennett from the Seahawks and Everson Griffin from the Vikings. He was also very good against the run as evidence by making a stop on 8.4 percent of his plays which ranked as the 8th highest of all defensive linemen that played at least 50 percent of the team’s defensive snaps against run plays. Also, he is just two years removed from a nine sack-season.
The former first round pick has often been injured, so again I am offering a low risk, high reward player.
Linebacker
I know the names the Cardinals has behind Reddick, Bucannon and Bynes, but save for Scooby Wright, I don’t have any idea if they are any good.
NaVorro Bowman
How Bowman is still unsigned is way beyond my imagination. Granted, he’s not the player he was before his gruesome injury, but he can certainly still play, proved by his last season with the Raiders. Anyway, they let him go, and obviously no team has signed him yet so maybe I am simply overrating him. Maybe teams are seeing him as primarily a run stuffing linebacker, and nowadays those are not deployed that much anymore. I trust Josh Bynes to play every snap on first down, and the few required on second down, but I mean, having a player like Bowman that is not only good against the run but also by no means a liability in coverage has to be of interest to defensive coordinators. Or maybe it is just because he wants more money than anyone is willing to pay.
If they brought Bowman in, yet still had Bynes as their starter, I would be surprised if Bowman didn’t supplant Bynes within a couple of weeks. Also, Bowman is smart enough that he could call the plays if he did manage to beat out Bynes. Obviously, it is risky to say that any free agent still on the market this long into the season would be a big upgrade, but I honestly think Bowman could be just that.
Gerald Hodges
The Cardinals have already had Hodges in for a workout.
I don’t know why Hodges had a forgettable season with the Saints last year, because before that he was pretty good. In 2016 he contributed a good deal to the Niners’ defense (his statistical best season), and before that he played well with the Vikings. Last offseason some pundits even rated him as one of the sleepers on the free agent-market.
Hodges has consistently improved in pass coverage, and he is a good player. He’s also serviceable on special teams.
Cornerback
I mean, I like the trade for Jamar Taylor as I think he can actually be a good player across from Peterson. I also has hope for a young guy like Chris Campbell, and more than anything I have hope that Steve Wilks can help this unit with his expertise. That said, I would feel much more comfortable if they signed another proven veteran.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
I am a little surprised that Rodgers-Cromartie has not been getting more interest on the open market. I guess he is waiting for someone to get injured and a spot opening, and he did turn down a workout with the Seahawks recently (though that was apparently because of some family matter).
He might be getting up there in age, but I thought he still played at a high level last season with the Giants. Yes, he played most of his snaps as a nickel back but he is obviously used to playing the outside position, having experience both on the right and left side, so I am not worried about that.
Last season he didn’t record any interceptions, but he rarely gave up big gains and he did a good job keeping the receiver in front of him. Also, he is only two years removed from picking off six interceptions and batting down 21 passes.
Bashaud Breeland
Health problems are literally the only reason why Breeland is still unsigned as he actually got signed by the Panthers on the first day of free agency (in fact, it got done before free agency even opened up), only to have the contract voided after he failed a physical that was not allowed to take place before after the start of free agency. A couple of month ago it was reported that the injury was not a problem anymore, yet somehow Breeland is still a free agent.
A reasonable guess as to why he is still on the market might be that at least six teams have shown interest in him, so he could be trying to leverage multiple offers against each other in hope of getting a similar deal as to the one he got from the Panthers. That was a three year, 24 million deal. Breeland is a veteran so he doesn’t really need the start of a training camp, and thus he can take his time. By the way, the Cardinals are one of the aforementioned six teams.
Breeland was a very good cornerback last season. He recorded 50 tackles, he batted down 20 passes (he ranked #12 in the NFL in that statistic) and he made one interception which he returned for a touchdown. Maybe more importantly, he covered his direct opponents very well.
I am hoping that Al Holcomb will deploy a similar defense to that of the Panthers, and that they originally signed Breeland is a sign that Holcomb would very much like to have Breeland at his disposal as well (and I believe it would be since he was a natural fit in Carolina).
overseascardfan
ASFN Addict
I wouldn’t mind another vet CB as insurance to Taylor and to provide Williams & Campbell with competition. Taylor, Bene & Breeland / DRC should be able to man CB #2 - #4 spots. Hodges would be a good back up / platoon with Bynes. Granted they come cheap.
Snakester
Draft Man
Nice list Ghandi. DRC, Bowman and Robert Ayers are all still solid players. Maybe they aren't in their primes anymore but they would be good one year prove it signings.
