Raising Zona
FanSided

Analyzing the Arizona Cardinals and the NFC West’s free agency moves

By Sion Fawkes

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 13: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals in action against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 13, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Cardinals defeated the Giants 26-7. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 13: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals in action against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 13, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Cardinals defeated the Giants 26-7. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next

San Francisco 49ers

Most Prolific Move: Trading for the 3rd Overall Pick

Trading for the third overall pick implies the 49ers are done with Jimmy Garoppolo and are ready to move on to another young passer. Whether they draft Trey Lance, Justin Fields, or Zach Wilson remains to be seen. But they feel like they have a chance to draft a franchise quarterback.

The only downside remains is this: If the 49ers draft a franchise quarterback, are they making a power play for the future, rather than the present? If this is the case, will the 49ers return to contention in 2021, or will it be another subpar season?

Key Additions 

Trent Sherfield/WR, Alex Mack/C, Zach Kerr/ DL, Samson Ekubam/LB, Emmanuel Moseley/CB, Tavon Wilson/S.

Key Needs

Quarterback, Cornerback, Interior Offensive Line, Edge

Where do they stand?

The 49ers were a letdown in 2020, just one season removed after making a Super Bowl run. However, the injury bug hit them hard, and in 2021, expect them to at least contend for the NFC West.

The Cardinals played them well twice. Especially in Week 1, before the bug hit. That said, the Cardinals still stack up well against the 49ers on paper, especially after the first wave of free agency.

Rank in the NFC West: 4th

The 49ers are still a talented team on paper. And they won with Jimmy Garoppolo at quarterback. Unless they’re throwing a smokescreen, odds are, they will draft a quarterback at third overall. Why draft for the future when they already have a good player lining up under center?

Home/Cardinals News