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Arizona Cardinals: 5 risks team is taking in 2019

By Scott Allen

TEMPE, ARIZONA - MAY 29: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals practices alongside head coach Kliff Kingsbury during team OTA's at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center on May 29, 2019 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, ARIZONA - MAY 29: Quarterback Kyler Murray #1 of the Arizona Cardinals practices alongside head coach Kliff Kingsbury during team OTA's at the Dignity Health Arizona Cardinals Training Center on May 29, 2019 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 18: Jordan Hicks #58 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after making a tackle during a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 18, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Eagles 48-7. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 18: Jordan Hicks #58 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after making a tackle during a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 18, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Eagles 48-7. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Jordan Hicks

If it weren’t for the injury history, there would be no risk in adding Hicks to the roster.  However we are here because, well, he has an injury history.

He’s only played a full 16 games once in his four-year career.  He has three career sacks as a linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles.

However we all knew the Cardinals linebacker room was thin.  There was very little depth and arguably their best linebacker in 2018 in Josh Bynes, was released just days before the free agency period began back in March.

At this point however, taking a risk at linebacker is definitely what the Cardinals needed to do.  They did it with Suggs and also here with Hicks.

The thing with Hicks though is he is young.  There is potential for a much longer upside to this signing.  Two of the last three seasons, including 2018, Hicks has played in fewer than 10 games.

The Cardinals will need more than that from him in 2018.  If they don’t, it will be a risk that had to be taken but one that didn’t pay off.

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