Raising Zona
FanSided

3 things the Arizona Cardinals got right in free agency

By Avery Duncan

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 10: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates after the NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Arizona Cardinals won 12 - 7. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 10: Larry Fitzgerald #11 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates after the NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 10, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Arizona Cardinals won 12 - 7. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – NOVEMBER 18: Inside Linebacker C.J. Mosley #57 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on November 18, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – NOVEMBER 18: Inside Linebacker C.J. Mosley #57 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on November 18, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Not overpaying for a hot commodity

Look, C.J. Mosley is one of the best linebackers in the league, his four Pro-Bowl appearances in just five seasons prove that, but he’s not worth the $85 million dollars over five seasons that the Jets gave him.

Before free agency started the Cardinals were one of the teams mentioned and linked to C.J. Mosley after he surprisingly wasn’t franchised tagged by Ravens. But it was always going to be expensive to lure him away from the Baltimore, which the Jets did, for a heft contract.

The 49ers did the same with luckily Kwon Alexander, and so did their part-time Bay Area neighbors Raiders with tackle Trent Brown. Luckily, despite having the cap space to do so, the Cardinals didn’t join the overpaid free agent club.

Rather, they stood pat and signed depth all over the roster and high upside veterans including Jordan Hicks, Robert Alford, and Terrell Suggs.

Although their added talent may not sell the most jerseys, they have a lot of experience. Their 14 acquisitions have accumulated a total of 1,082 NFL games played combined with 816 NFL games started. Those 14 players will also only count towards 21.5% of their 2019 cap space.

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