Arizona Cardinals: Need to re-sign Tony Jefferson
The Arizona Cardinals need to keep key pieces of their defense in tact and that means re-signing safety Tony Jefferson
If there is one player that the Arizona Cardinals need to bring back for 2017 it is safety Tony Jefferson. The hard hitting, play making safety is a key part of the Cardinals defense. In 2016 he really stepped into a leadership role after Rashad Johnson left in free agency in in the 2016 off season.
Tony Jefferson improved his game from 2015 to 2016. In 2015 he recorded 78 tackles, in 2016 he added 18 more to total 96. Add in the 2 sacks, 5 passes defended and 2 forced fumbles, and he earned himself the 5th best ranked Safety in the NFL by Pro Football Focus with a final grade of 88.6.
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There is no telling that Jefferson could improve once again in 2017. He is a ball hawk and is seemingly in on every defensive play. There’s not a talent in the draft or free agency that can fill what Jefferson brings to the defense. Obviously you can replace a position but you can’t replace the leadership and connection he has with the Cardinals defensive players.
Heading into this off season the Cardinals have 2 safety’s that are going to hit the market, Jefferson and D.J Swearinger. Then you have Tyrann Mathieu and Tyvon Branch. Multiple teams will be looking to get Jefferson’s services on their defense. There is already rumors that the Baltimore Ravens are interested and will pursue him.
If the Cardinals are going to make a run this season they need to keep their defense in tact. They all play and gel so well together and that is irreplaceable. Jefferson is a key part of that, he is respected by his teammates and has proven himself on the field. Now the Cardinals just need to do everything they can to re-sign him.