Top free agents still available for Arizona Cardinals
By Jim Koch
Although many top free agents have already found homes, there are still some splashy names available for the Arizona Cardinals
It took a couple of days, but the Arizona Cardinals finally made a free agent splash. Justin Pugh is a quality offensive lineman, as evidenced by the big-time, $45 million contract Arizona’s front office handed the 27-year old. And they don’t have to stop there.
While many premium free agents have already found homes, there’s still a few who have not. Coincidentally, the Cards’ roster still has holes that need to be filled. Why not fill those open positions with the best that money can buy?
If new defensive coordinator Al Holcomb intends to switch to a 4-3 alignment, more linemen are needed. Ndamukong Suh may be the biggest name still seeking employment. Adding such a talented defender to an already impressive defense would draw rave reviews from NFL observers.
Suh was released by the Miami Dolphins on March 14th in a cost-cutting move. The 6’4″, 305 pounder has tallied 419 tackles, 51.5 sacks, 28 pass breakups and an interception during a brilliant eight-year career. Bringing Suh to the desert would be a major feather in the cap of general manager Steve Keim.
Now that disloyal safety Tyrann Mathieu is no longer with Arizona, Keim could make a splash by acquiring Kenny Vaccaro as a replacement. The New Orleans Saints’ 2013 first-round draft pick has racked up 385 tackles, eight interceptions, 30 pass breakups, 7.5 sacks and a touchdown in his five campaigns. The Cards do have Antoine Bethea and Budda Baker already signed for 2018, but surely they could find a role for a blue-chip defensive back like Vaccaro.
The Cardinals’ wide receiver situation has become a desperate one, thanks to the departures of both John and Jaron Brown. Terrelle Pryor has the tools to be a productive wideout, despite a disappointing campaign with the Washington Redskins last season. The former Ohio State University quarterback would give the newly-signed Sam Bradford another big body (6’4″, 228) to throw to, and is still just 28 years of age.
Injury (Jermaine Gresham), free agency (Troy Niklas) and inexperience (Ricky Seals-Jones) has created a dilemma at tight end. Eric Ebron has superb hands, but has never lived up to his potential. The Detroit Lions gave up on the 10th-overall pick of the 2014 draft, but could the 24-year old find success with a new organization?
Finally, Arizona’s transformation into a 4-3 defense could leave $-linebacker Deone Bucannon in limbo. Brian Cushing has been a monster in the past, but not so much lately. The former Houston Texan could be a steal for the Cards if they could coax a productive season out of the former first round pick.
Next: Arizona Cardinals make splash on offensive line
As you can see, there are still moves that can be made. The salary-cap is always a concern, but surely there’s ways around that problem. Other clubs have found ways to acquire first-rate components with limited cap room, it should be no different for Arizona.