Arizona Cardinals: Top 5 free agent priorities

The Arizona Cardinals have 25 free agents, 19 of them unrestricted this offseason

Earlier we talked about defensive line being a priority this offseason in free agency and the 2020 NFL Draft for the Arizona Cardinals.  How about their own free agents?

The Cardinals have 25 of them.  Not all of them will return, so which 5 should be the biggest priority to re-sign?  We rank them here.

5. Damiere Byrd

Bryd was a pleasant surprise this past season.  He caught just 32 passes and had just 1 touchdown but played in just 11 games thanks to injury.

The question will be in what direction do the Cardinals want to move in at receiver?  Byrd likely will have to compete with the 3 rookies from 2019, Hakeem Butler, Andy Isabella, and Keesean Johnson.

The Cardinals receiver room will get crowded quickly with Larry Fitzgerald, Christian Kirk, and Trent Sherfield in it as well.  That’s not to mention who the Cardinals might pursue elsewhere in free agency and in the draft.

4. D.J. Humphries

Would love to see him come back but injuries are always a concern when it comes to Humphries.  If the price is right, this should be the first move on the offensive line the Cardinals make this offseason.

They should prepare for life after Humphries as well though.  One more extended period on the sidelines for Humphries may end his time in Arizona, so they will have to think this contract out carefully.

3. Charles Clay

The Cardinals tight end had just 18 receptions in 2019.  The tight end position though wasn’t a priority either last season.

Clay played in 15 games last season but this was the output.  It doesn’t exactly scream re-sign me but at the same time he might come the cheapest.

There are other tight ends on the market but likely also come with a high price tag. Namely guys like Austin Hooper or Hunter Henry will be available but the Cardinals are better served saving money for another position.

2. Kenyan Drake

It’s not an absolute must signing but keep in mind if the Cardinals don’t want to pay Drake what he will command (and it might not be as much as some think), then the Cardinals will have to hold onto David Johnson. It looks either way Chase Edmonds is destined to be a backup.

Drake had a couple of very nice games for the Cardinals but needs to be more consistent.  Still, we know he’s a fit in Kliff Kingsbury‘s system, so while it’s not at all costs, the Cardinals do need to work to keep him

1. Brett Hundley

He should be the first priority.  He won’t cost a lot and he knows the offense now.  He did a very good job in relief of Kyler Murray in week 16 in Seattle.

He’s not Murray and never will be.  However to have someone able to come in a manage the offense while Murray is on the sidelines is most important.

Murray is going to play nearly 100 percent of the time if he isn’t injured.  Hundley needs to again be his backup in 2020.