Arizona Cardinals: Help wanted in many areas
By Scott Allen
The Arizona Cardinals might as well put up a help wanted sign up if things work out a certain way this week
There have been a couple of us here this week that have talked about the impending free agency. Who will the Arizona Cardinals lose, who will they keep?
The big problem the Cardinals face that even at deeper positions as it stands right now, could be poached this week once free agency starts. This goes for areas on both offense and defense.
The Cardinals one area that is covered for 2017 on offense seems to be quarterback. They need to find their future quarterback however this offseason, most likely coming in the draft in April.
Running backs will look different after likely departures of Andre Ellington, Chris Johnson, and Stepfan Taylor. The Cardinals could be looking at replacing three backs. Look to the draft for help there.
Receiver is an unknown. Health factors will play in with John Brown and Jaron Brown. J.J. Nelson and Larry Fitzgerald seem like the only sure things for 2017 as of right now.
The offensive line has questions. The Cardinals have been linked with finding a guard, maybe to replace Mike Iupati? Iupati has been serviceable at best since coming over in free agency a couple of seasons ago.
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The Cardinals still have their center to worry about. A.Q. Shipley is a free agent. Evan Boehm is still a work in progress.
Both tackle positions seem covered. However between D.J. Humphries and Jared Veldheer, who will play left and who will play right?
One defense the Cardinals do have answers for the possible loss of defensive tackle Calais Campbell. Frostee Rucker is a free agent. They have Rodney Gunter and Robert Nkemdiche waiting in the wings though.
The corner and safety positions seem to be the biggest questions. Marcus Cooper, D.J. Swearinger, Mike Jenkins, and Tony Jefferson are all free agents.
At linebacker the Cardinals may lose Kevin Minter. They still have Markus Golden and Chandler Jones but some help in the middle may be in order.
As for special teams, that’s a whole other story. The Cardinals have given no indication as of yet which direction they will be going with kicker, punter, or long-snapper at this point. Expect competition at all three positions this offseason.