MadCards Way Too Early 2025 offseason plan

[Denny Green Fan]

How are they going to pay all these guys plus Purdy?

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Watch shanahan draft Milroe at 11 so they don’t have to pay purdy….i seen where a niners talking head threw out that idea….says shanahan may think milroe is what he thought trey lance was

 

[gmabel830]

I would personally draft a DT high, because you can get out of Nichols and Jones next year and smart GM's draft for the future, not now. And for this reason I think they likely will draft a DT. I think they go Edge in round 1 and DT in 2. I can see they having a huge crush for Jalon Walker who has inside/outside capability and is very good at both. I could see why they see Micah Parsons potential there.

If we could come away with Jalon Walker and Deone Walker in the first 2 rounds I'd be ecstatic. Deone is currently getting round 2 looks in draft circles but I think he goes higher sadly.

But I don't think it's as cut and dried as we think it is.

If they target Jalon Walker, I hope they park him at EDGE (or park him at ILB, which would be less preferred) and don't do what they did with Reddick/Simmons/Collins and try to make him learn multiple positions and/or not playing him at his position of strength.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I do not think we have glaring holes. I do think the roster lacks interior pass rushers. Also feel they have no star player inside.

Yeah, I think everyone we have is a below average starter, and that half measures like adding Jones/Nichols only compounds the problem - neither will ever be a good starter, and they take up roster spots and cap space.

I just don't know how you can expect to build a good D with zero above average players on the line.

 

[Denny Green Fan]

If they target Jalon Walker, I hope they park him at EDGE (or park him at ILB, which would be less preferred) and don't do what they did with Reddick/Simmons/Collins and try to make him learn multiple positions and/or not playing him at his position of strength.

I would love for jalon walker to be our pick….i just don’t think he will be there…the knock on kentuckys deone walker is he stands straight up at the snap…no leverage

 

[slanidrac16]

Yeah, I think everyone we have is a below average starter, and that half measures like adding Jones/Nichols only compounds the problem - neither will ever be a good starter, and they take up roster spots and cap space.

I just don't know how you can expect to build a good D with zero above average players on the line.

You can’t have blue chip NFL ready players at every position. You have to the lunch pail guys too. You hope draft picks blossom and turn out to be who you thought they were.
Robinson is a good example. Where would he be if hadn’t injured his calf?
Good players make the player next to them better. Great players make the player next to them very good players.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

You can’t have blue chip NFL ready players at every position.

NOBODY HAS ASKED FOR BLUE CHIP NFL READY PLAYERS AT EVERY POSITION! Please share one post indicating that we need stars at every position...I'll wait.

You have to the lunch pail guys too. You hope draft picks blossom and turn out to be who you thought they were.

Yes, you have to have lunch pail players, but you can't have all lunch pail players! I don't know how this is so hard for some of you grasp.

Robinson is a good example. Where would he be if hadn’t injured his calf?

Who knows? He is definitely a project, and his first year was an absolute disaster. Could he be an above average player moving forward? I sure as hell hope so, as a first round pick.

Good players make the player next to them better. Great players make the player next to them very good players.

Sounds like you're making my argument that we need more good and great players on our D.

 

[slanidrac16]

NOBODY HAS ASKED FOR BLUE CHIP NFL READY PLAYERS AT EVERY POSITION! Please share one post indicating that we need stars at every position...I'll wait.

Yes, you have to have lunch pail players, but you can't have all lunch pail players! I don't know how this is so hard for some of you grasp.

Who knows? He is definitely a project, and his first year was an absolute disaster. Could he be an above average player moving forward? I sure as hell hope so, as a first round pick.

Sounds like you're making my argument that we need more good and great players on our D.

Geez, relax ASU. Understand your opinion is not the Gold Standard of ASFN.
You seem to forget where this team was the last two years and can’t seem to grasp the improvements that have been made.
It takes time which you seem unable to “ grasp”. I didn’t say you were asking for all blue chip players. I’m saying we replaced 5 bums with 5 lunch pail type guys. Some of those lunch pail type guys will now be bumped to second string and replaced with better players.

You apparently don’t believe we did enough last year. Okay. But some of us understand the concept of this rebuild. Although disappointing, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel. We can only hope it’s not a train heading toward us.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Geez, relax ASU. Understand your opinion is not the Gold Standard of ASFN.

Nobody said it was - I just don't appreciate my position being misrepresented, as it was here.

You seem to forget where this team was the last two years and can’t seem to grasp the improvements that have been made.

You seem to think that the "upgrades" are good enough to justify two years of choosing not to compete for the playoffs. I don't.

It takes time which you seem unable to “ grasp”.

This has been proven wrong time and time again. It doesn't require 3 years to rebuild. There are tons of examples. This was a choice.

I didn’t say you were asking for all blue chip players. I’m saying we replaced 5 bums with 5 lunch pail type guys. Some of those lunch pail type guys will now be bumped to second string and replaced with better players.

Yeah, I'm not sure that's true. Our line before Monti was markedly better than what we have now. Even now, guys like Lopez were playing as well as our big FA additions. Even worse, as Chopper intimated, we could theoretically run it back with the same cadre of below average starters.

You apparently don’t believe we did enough last year. Okay. But some of us understand the concept of this rebuild. Although disappointing, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel. We can only hope it’s not a train heading toward us.

Hope is not a plan. I see plenty of the same holes and a team full of below average starters. I don't know how you can expect to get better when your talent level is below that of nearly every playoff team. The only way to transcend that is to have a superstar QB - we all know we don't have that.

 

[kerouac9]

Geez, relax ASU. Understand your opinion is not the Gold Standard of ASFN.
You seem to forget where this team was the last two years and can’t seem to grasp the improvements that have been made.
It takes time which you seem unable to “ grasp”. I didn’t say you were asking for all blue chip players. I’m saying we replaced 5 bums with 5 lunch pail type guys. Some of those lunch pail type guys will now be bumped to second string and replaced with better players.

You apparently don’t believe we did enough last year. Okay. But some of us understand the concept of this rebuild. Although disappointing, there seems to be light at the end of the tunnel. We can only hope it’s not a train heading toward us.

This is pretty condescending.

Our starting defensive line in 2023 against the Commies consisted of Jonathan Ledbetter, Leki Fotu, and LJ Collier. Our starting defensive line against the 49ers consistent of Dante Stills, Roy Lopez, and LJ Collier.

Everyone agrees that we're marginally better on the defensive line than we were a year ago, but we're not leaps and bounds better. Although Michael Dogbe was a starting defensive lineman at the beginning and end of the 2022 season and he was pretty butt.

 

[Krangodnzr]

My biggest hope is that the Cardinals can head to the draft without glaring holes on the roster. That would be a great start.

Because of that, I think it is ok to exit FA with a DL group of Jones, Nichols, Robinson, Stills, Lopez and Collier. That leaves you the option of draft a DT 3rd round or higher and just have to figure out where to get one extra roster spot.

Agreed. I think it will be interesting when the Cardinals are on the clock what they do. I don't expect a big DL signing in FA.

EDGE is the biggest "issue" on the roster. There just isn't much talent, and the FA class looks pretty crappy.

Maybe Monti trades up because it looks like #16 is edge 3-4 territory and the Cardinals could really use even a red chip edge.

OL is interesting. I do think there will be some answers in FA depending on what the Cardinals want to do. I think you can start the season with Adams as a starter, but you need to have the other G spot and RT figured out to do so.

Id image the Cardinals look for a value signing and draft a guy or two.

ILB is scary because I have no idea what they will do. I don't think Monti and Gannon "prioritize" it in the way Keim did. The contracts for White and Wilson along with the invested draft equity seem to support that. (EDIT: I have liked the current approach towards the ILB position. the scary part would be a change to that approach.)

I have no idea about WR. I don't see a bunch of options that fill the need the Cardinals have.

Id go after Kirk. Known commodity.

 

[Crimson Warrior]

My biggest hope is that the Cardinals can head to the draft without glaring holes on the roster. That would be a great start.

Because of that, I think it is ok to exit FA with a DL group of Jones, Nichols, Robinson, Stills, Lopez and Collier. That leaves you the option of draft a DT 3rd round or higher and just have to figure out where to get one extra roster spot.

So you’re hoping that we draft our Darnell Docket or better type player in 2025?

Because we agree we need at least that level of IDL on the roster, but we don’t have anyone playing at that level currently.

Stills might get there but he’s not there yet.

 

[slanidrac16]

This is pretty condescending.

Our starting defensive line in 2023 against the Commies consisted of Jonathan Ledbetter, Leki Fotu, and LJ Collier. Our starting defensive line against the 49ers consistent of Dante Stills, Roy Lopez, and LJ Collier.

Everyone agrees that we're marginally better on the defensive line than we were a year ago, but we're not leaps and bounds better. Although Michael Dogbe was a starting defensive lineman at the beginning and end of the 2022 season and he was pretty butt.

K, you should know me by now. When somebody “ yells” with all capital letters it kind of screams , you’re dumb. Maybe I’m wrong. But it certainly appeared ASU was really agitated. Why?

But you are saying we are better.

Nobody said it was - I just don't appreciate my position being misrepresented, as it was here.

You seem to think that the "upgrades" are good enough to justify two years of choosing not to compete for the playoffs. I don't.

This has been proven wrong time and time again. It doesn't require 3 years to rebuild. There are tons of examples. This was a choice.

Yeah, I'm not sure that's true. Our line before Monti was markedly better than what we have now. Even now, guys like Lopez were playing as well as our big FA additions. Even worse, as Chopper intimated, we could theoretically run it back with the same cadre of below average starters.

Hope is not a plan. I see plenty of the same holes and a team full of below average starters. I don't know how you can expect to get better when your talent level is below that of nearly every playoff team. The only way to transcend that is to have a superstar QB - we all know we don't have that.

I’m going to say we misunderstood our post and share a bit different point of view.
Peace.

 

[Harry]

I think more options at WR will become available as the new league year approaches. Teams are going to have to make decisions on big contracts that are coming due for several Vets.

Davante Adams (cap hit of $38M in 2025)

Deebo Samuel (1 year left on his contract. 2025 cap hit $16M. Contract Voids in 2026 and the cap hit is $33M)

Tyler Lockett (cap hit of $30M in 2025 if option is exercised. Hawks save $17M by cutting him)

Cooper Kupp (cap hit of $30M in 2025, $27M in 2026.)

Calvin Ridley (cap hit of $28M in 2025. New GM might want to move on from this contract.)

Christian Kirk (cap hit of $24M in 2025 with $5M due in 2026 Void year. $10M in savings if cut)

Gabe Davis (Lots of money due past 2025 season. New Jags coach may want to trade?)


If Tyler lockett gets cut I wouldn't mind his veteran presence at a reasonable price as a one year stopgap. K9 mentioned possibly trading for Gabe Davis with a 5th round pick as another option which I would be on board for. Maybe even a homecoming for Kirk on the cheap?

If I took any of these guys it would be Kirk. Lockett & Kupp have lost a step. They’re not going to trade Samuel to Cards. Adams is an attitude issue. Davis not worth money for #3 receiver. Ridley big gamble at that price.

 

[Harry]

Updated cap space for AZ is 73 mil.

Overthecap has them at $82 mil

 

[ASUCHRIS]

K, you should know me by now. When somebody “ yells” with all capital letters it kind of screams , you’re dumb. Maybe I’m wrong. But it certainly appeared ASU was really agitated. Why?

At least you doubled down on condescension with...more condescension! You're asking why I'm agitated, and I literally explained it to you. You started our conversation with a giant straw man about blue chip players at every position, an argument that nobody here has made.

But you are saying we are better.
I’m going to say we misunderstood our post and share a bit different point of view.
Peace.

Let's go with that.

 

[Shane]

Overthecap has them at $82 mil

Why has pretty much everyone all year been saying we will be over 100 million this next off season? Not that 80+ isn’t a lot still but it’s not the 100+ people were saying we would be at this coming off season?

 

[Cheesebeef]

If I took any of these guys it would be Kirk. Lockett & Kupp have lost a step. They’re not going to trade Samuel to Cards. Adams is an attitude issue. Davis not worth money for #3 receiver. Ridley big gamble at that price.

The implication in the post you replied to is that those guys could be FA because of their price tag moving forward… not that we would trade for them.

 

[MadCardDisease]

If I took any of these guys it would be Kirk. Lockett & Kupp have lost a step. They’re not going to trade Samuel to Cards. Adams is an attitude issue. Davis not worth money for #3 receiver. Ridley big gamble at that price.

Oh I agree. I'm not saying trade for all of these guys but that they may be cut and increase the options of the FA WR pool. The only one that I listed as a possible trade was Davis.

 

[DVontel]

I still hope Walter Nolen will be our pick.

 

[MadCardDisease]

Overthecap has them at $82 mil

$73m is the effective cap space.

Effective Cap Space: the cap space a team will have after signing at least 51 players and its projected rookie class to its roster.

NFL Salary Cap Space | Over The Cap

NFL salary cap space estimates for all 32 teams

overthecap.com

 

[oaken1]

To clarify...there are FA WR options...but I don't believe many come with the requisite skillset this offense needs. Alec Pierce is a great example of the type of WR this offense needs to add. He has clear out, vertical speed. Can move around a little. Has good enough size to run block.

That's not any of those players (imo).

LoL...I was looking at him last week wondering what type of package it might take. I pushed for him in the draft and he still fits what we need....and IMO he is underutilized as is

 

[Chopper0080]

Yeah, I think everyone we have is a below average starter, and that half measures like adding Jones/Nichols only compounds the problem - neither will ever be a good starter, and they take up roster spots and cap space.

I just don't know how you can expect to build a good D with zero above average players on the line.

I think they are closer to league average than below average and seem to do fine as a group. Don't get me wrong, I want to add better players, but I don't think Monti is going to go on a spending spree. Maybe I will be proven wrong but I just feel OL, WR, ILB, and EDGE are probably squeakier wheels that he will prioritize.

 

[Chopper0080]

So you’re hoping that we draft our Darnell Docket or better type player in 2025?

Because we agree we need at least that level of IDL on the roster, but we don’t have anyone playing at that level currently.

Stills might get there but he’s not there yet.

I think we need to add talent to the DL. I think it is more likely the Cardinals add that talent via the draft in 2025 vs FA.

 

[Chopper0080]

Overthecap has them at $82 mil

I was looking at effective cap space, so, both numbers are correct. lol

 

[Harry]

I still hope Walter Nolen will be our pick.

It’s possible, he’s the third best anchor