It’s not time for the Arizona Cardinals to rest quite yet. With the 2025 NFL Draft in the books, there are still big-name free agents on the market who could complete the Cardinals roster.
The Cardinals aced the draft. Both Walter Nolen and Will Johnson have the talent to become superstars in the NFL, and later additions like Jordan Burch and Denzel Burke should be immediate contributors. Arizona focused heavily on the defensive side of the ball in the draft. It’s hard to blame them. This was one of the least talented units in the league last season.
Still, the Cardinals neglected certain needs on offense in the draft. Kyler Murray is still without a deep threat to throw to. Fear not, Cardinals fans. The answer is sitting in free agency.
Arizona Cardinals should target Elijah Moore in free agency
Over the last few seasons, NFL teams have found success by scooping up former highly-touted prospects who were dragged down by bad franchises early in their careers. Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, and Saquon Barkley all serve as perfect examples.
Elijah Moore never had the hype that those players did, but he’s a watered-down version of the same story. Moore was drafted at the top of the second round in 2021 to a Jets team that lacked any sort of offensive identity. He underperformed (though it wasn’t his fault) for two seasons before being traded to the Cleveland Browns, another disaster of a franchise.
Again, Moore fell victim to a terrible offensive ecosystem for two years. The Browns let him walk in free agency, and the 25-year-old is now sitting in free agency without much interest coming his way. Moore reportedly met with the Buffalo Bills this week, so there’s no time to waste. The Cardinals must jump on this golden opportunity before it’s too late.
Kyler Murray had just 19 completions of 20 or more yards in 2024, per PFF. In an era of football predicated on finding explosive plays, that’s just not good enough. The Cardinals should be looking for explosive players on offense wherever they can find them. Elijah Moore may not have lived up to the hype he carried as a prospect, but he has the speed and ball skills to be exactly what the Cardinals need.
Is he a fix-all for every issue the Cardinals offense experienced in 2024? No, probably not. But at 25 years old, he's absolutely worth the swing.
If Arizona signs Moore in free agency, their perfect offseason will be complete.