Arizona Cardinals: Analyzing the 2017 free agent class

NFL free agency is always a crap-shoot, but the Arizona Cardinals have done a more than adequate job with this season’s group

The big names were available for the Arizona Cardinals. Players like A.J. Bouye, Kevin Zeitler, Trumaine Johnson and T.J. Lang would’ve all looked superb in a Cardinals’ uniform. Nevertheless, general manager Steve Keim elected to fill out the roster with some of the lesser-priced choices.

Going that route has paid off for the most part. Keim has gotten some bang for his buck, so to speak. In the unpredictable world of NFL free agency, the Cards have done fairly well with whom they targeted in ’17.

Karlos Dansby’s third stint in the desert has been a successful one. Despite his advanced age (36), the inside linebacker has been worth every penny paid to him this year. Dansby is one of Arizona’s leading tacklers, and his leadership skills are second to none.

The 6’4″, 250 pounder joined an elite few this past weekend in his team’s victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Dansby’s fourth-quarter pick catapulted the veteran into the league’s 40 sack, 20 interception group. The 14th-year pro joined Ray Lewis, Brian Urlacher, Wilber Marshall and Seth Joyner as the only players in history to accomplish the feat.

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Antoine Bethea has been another excellent signing. Free agent defectors Tony Jefferson and D.J.Swearinger have been an afterthought, and the 33-year old ex-49er is a big reason why. Bethea has been excellent against both the run and the pass, and could represent the Cardinals in this year’s Pro Bowl if his stellar play continues.

Late signee Alex Boone filled a giant hole in the club’s offensive line. The former Niner has been a solid replacement for the Cards’ injured left guard, Mike Iupati. The Minnesota Vikings did Keim a big favor by releasing Boone on September 2nd, a week before the opener.

Tramon Williams has brought some stability to the squad’s number-two cornerback spot. With Justin Bethel getting burnt like toast early on, Arizona became desperate. The 34-year old Williams will give up completions here and there, but not the back-breaking touchdowns that Bethel was responsible for.

Andy Lee is the Cardinals’ best punter since Dave Zastudil. The position needed some severe shoring up after the Drew Butler debacle and the mediocrity that followed after him. Lee’s statistics aren’t overly impressive, but the 35-year old is a solid, consistent performer.

Josh Bynes was getting plenty of playing time early on due to injuries at linebacker. But now that Deone Bucannon has returned, the productive seven-year vet has been relegated to mostly special teams action. Bynes has excelled as a gunner, registering seven tackles on an improved coverage unit.

When Carson Palmer went down two weeks ago, many observers believed that free agent pickup Blaine Gabbert would take over. However, Drew Stanton has been handed the quarterback reigns. Gabbert could take over for Palmer in 2018 if the Cards’ starter for the past five campaigns decides to retire.

With right guard Evan Boehm struggling mightily during the early portion of the season, Keim went searching for help. The GM asked an old friend, Earl Watford, to return to the Valley. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ castoff is now part of a resurgent offensive line in Arizona.

Though Keim’s free agent run in 2017 has been pretty darn good, there is one exception. Phil Dawson has shanked six out of eighteen field goal attempts, a major disappointment for one of the NFL’s most-accurate kickers of all-time. If the Cardinals do manage to make a playoff run, Keim would be smart to replace the unreliable 42-year old.

Overall, owner Michael Bidwill’s money has been spent well in constructing the current 53-man roster. However, there most likely won’t be a Super Bowl at the end of the rainbow due to all the injuries. And that’s one thing that Keim can’t do a thing about.

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