Arizona Cardinals: Post-free agency positions to address in the 2017 draft

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Oct 23, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) is tackled by the Arizona Cardinals defense in the first half at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Defense and Special Teams

DT/DE: Moderate likelihood

With Calais Campbell gone, and no noteworthy free agent additions, the Cardinals’ current defensive line rotation consists of Corey Peters, Rodney Gunter, Josh Mauro, Frostee Rucker, and Robert Nkemdiche. The Cardinals also have developmental players Olsen Pierre, Ed Stinson, and Xavier Williams in the mix.

This list is full of intriguing potential, but aside from Rucker and Peters, it is short on experience. While drafting a player doesn’t do anything to address the lack of experience, it seems likely that the Cardinals will look to add at least one defensive lineman in the draft – and potentially in the earlier rounds.

Inside linebacker: High Likelihood

I have to admit that I’m surprised how middle linebacker played out in free agency. I expected the Cardinals to let Minter walk, and re-sign Sio Moore to start alongside Deone Bucannon. Instead, they let Minter walk and signed Karlos Dansby (again). The Dansby signing is a good short term move, but it increases the likelihood that the Cardinals would look to draft a middle linebacker to take over for Dansby in 2018.

Outside linebacker: Moderate likelihood

The Cardinals have their starting bookends in Markus Golden and Chandler Jones. They also replaced Alex Okafor with Jarvis Jones. Still, the Cardinals may look for a developmental pass rusher in the middle rounds.

Cornerback: Strong likelihood

The likelihood that the Cardinals draft a cornerback appears even stronger now that the primary wave of free agency has passed. Not only did Marcus Cooper move on, but the renegotiation of Justin Bethel’s contract means that he will be a free agent after this season. With Harlan Miller likely moving to safety, the Cardinals would go into 2018 with Patrick Peterson and Brandon Williams as their only outside cornerbacks of note. Drafting one cornerback seems a certainty, and drafting two is a real possibility.

Safety: Moderate likelihood

Exit Tony Jefferson and D.J. Swearinger, enter Antoine Bethea. But the Cardinals aren’t in as bad a situation at safety as some might think. Tyrann Mathieu should be fully recovered from last season’s lingering injury, and Tyvon Branch is still on the roster. Bethea is a proven veteran, and Harlan Miller showed encouraging potential at the position last season.

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While there are a number of question marks at this position – most of which are associated with injury history – the Cardinals have shown an ability to coax solid play out of whomever they line up at safety. The Cardinals will probably look to bring in at least one additional safety, but don’t look for them to reach for one in the draft. If the value is there, they could select a safety in the mid-to-late rounds. If not, they will likely sign a few undrafted rookies and low-cost free agents to compete for a roster spot.

Kicker: Low likelihood

The Cardinals did not sign Phil Dawson so that they could waste a draft pick on a kicker.

Punter: Low likelihood

The situation at punter is still uncertain, but it’s a position teams almost always address with free agents and undrafted rookies.

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