Off-Season Plan

[Chopper0080]

So, I did some digging and wanted to put out the plan that I would like to see the Cardinals take a swing at. The purpose was to come up with a plan that was not random, but was focused on the roster, and semi-realistic.

FA

Re-Sign
RB-Chris Johnson
RB-Stepfan Taylor
C-AQ Shipley
DE-Frostee Rucker
OLB-Chandler Jones (FTAG)
OLB-Alex Okafor
ILB-Sio Moore
S-DJ Swearinger

We Lost
RB-Andre Ellington
TE-Jermaine Gresham
OL-Earl Watford
DE-Calais Campbell
ILB-Kevin Minter
CB-Marcus Cooper
S-Tony Jefferson

We Signed
WR-Andre Holmes (Tall vertical threat. Should be cheap)
TE-Jim Dray (Solid blocker)
OL-Luke Joeckel (Can be a swing OT. Has experience. Is still young. Should be low cost.)
ILB-Dont'a Hightower (Instant leader on defense. Physical. Can play 3 downs.)
S-Nate Allen (Vet presence to come in for sub packages)


So, the roster is full. I tried to approach and come out of free agency with a decent roster of players that didn't leave glaring holes for the draft.


13-OJ Howard TE Alabama
(Rare athlete with size. Willing blocker. Half the price of Gresham. Helps DJ.)

45-Marcus Williams S Utah
(Instinctive player. Very good single high. Limits big plays. Allows Swearinger to drop to SS in sub)

77-Jourdan Lewis CB Michigan
(Maybe a stretch pick. I think size CBs go ahead. Fights for every inch. Can play inside or out. Long arms for size.)

120-Jordan Willis OLB Kansas St.
(High effort edge player. Leader in college. Hard worker. A better athlete than is credited to be.)

157-Carlos Henderson WR Louisiana Tech
(Explosive punt returner. May be gone. Grades are all over on him.)

179-Michael Roberts TE Toledo
(Big, physical complementary TE. Allows Howard to get more routes.)

197-TJ Logan RB/KR North Carolina
(Kick returner with upside.)

231-Steven Taylor ILB Houston
(Special teams player.)


So, these players are all guys who have an opportunity to help the roster in 2017, and have larger roles to grow into in 2018. After looking at our overall contracts, I decided against my nature to skip adding an interior lineman. I just don't believe the draft was the best player to do so. Same goes for the defensive line. I would have looked elsewhere from CB, but the class was so darn deep that we have to get one in the first 3 rounds IMO.

For 2018...we have the following signed.

QB-Carson Palmer (I think he retires)
RB-David Johnson
WR-Larry Fitzgerald (I think he retires)
WR-JJ Nelson
OT-DJ Humphries
OT-Jared Veldheer
OG-Mike Iupati
OG/C-Evan Boehm
DL-Josh Mauro
DL-Robert Nkemdiche
DL-Rodney Gunter
OLB-Markus Golden
ILB-Deone Bucannon
CB-Patrick Peterson
CB-Justin Bethel
CB-Brandon Williams
S-Tyrann Mathieu

After this draft and free agency, it would look more like this...

RB-David Johnson
RB-TJ Logan (KR)
WR-Carlos Henderson (PR)
WR-JJ Nelson
TE-OJ Howard
TE-Michael Roberts
OT-DJ Humphries
OT-Jared Veldheer
OG-Mike Iupati
OG/C-Evan Boehm
DL-Josh Mauro
DL-Robert Nkemdiche
DL-Rodney Gunter
OLB-Markus Golden
OLB-Jordan Willis
OLB-Alex Okafor
ILB-Dont'a Hightower
ILB-Deone Bucannon
CB-Patrick Peterson
CB-Justin Bethel
CB-Brandon Williams
CB-Jourdan Lewis
S-Tyrann Mathieu
S-DJ Swearinger
S-Marcus Williams

Some obvious holes, but also solid depth in the secondary and in the front 7. DL may be a bit weak, but should be decent against the run. WR and QB are barren, but the offensive line is in decent shape.

So...that is how I would do the off-season and why. I hope it sparks some thought.

 

[MrYeahBut]

I have this nagging feeling Minter isn't going anywhere.

A Jim Dray sighting, YES!!

 

[Lagerfilled]

In FA, I'd sign Garcon, Glennon, and Baker. Then cut Stanton and Branch. Also assuming that we re-sign Swearinger, Moore, Gresham, and Fells.

Then I would stay at 13, draft Lamp, and have a potential All Pro RG ala Zach Martin for the next decade. Just watch his tape... Ridiculous! Not to mention, he'll be a whole lot cheaper on a rookie deal than any of the top 5 FA guards. Then you take Raekwon McMillan at 45 and Rasul Douglas at 77. Three biggest remaining needs filled.

In this scenario, we'd still need a FS, backup RB, and return specialist. Thoughts?

 

[Shaggy]

You had me going, then lost me at OJ Howard for their first pick. I will be pissed if they pick a TE on their first pick!

 

[cardncubfan]

You had me going, then lost me at OJ Howard for their first pick. I will be pissed if they pick a TE on their first pick!

The guy is a stud. He would instantly help the passing game & the running game.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Minter is the classic easiest to sign non impact starter the Cards are usually able to sign while the major impact guys fly the coop. I'll be surprised to see CC, Jefferson or Swearenger back. Disappointing to see other teams reach extensions (Bennett on the Hawks/Berry on Chiefs) and we can't make life a little easier on us.

Oh well... let's see what we do for the last big push.

 

[Goldfield]

It's going to be an interesting off season.

 

[Shaggy]

The guy is a stud. He would instantly help the passing game & the running game.

He is a stud, but still, I don't want them wasting a first round pick on TE.

 

[WildBB]

Everything depends on how FA pans out. Another draft without a young signal caller. I just don't see it this time around. They will be ready if one falls to them. Bank on it.

 

[kerouac9]

Bringing Taylor and Dray back? Are you just trying to make sure I'm reading your threads?

 

[Chopper0080]

Bringing Taylor and Dray back? Are you just trying to make sure I'm reading your threads?

Gotta make sure someone is.

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[THESMEL]

dunno many moving parts - Keims going to need to wear spikes to keep up.