The Arizona Cardinals free agency period wasn’t flashy, but general manager Monti Ossenfort brought in a solid haul of serviceable talent.
With so much roster turnover thanks to the number of players that were slated to become free agents, the Arizona Cardinals were going to make a lot of under-the-radar signings to fill the roster. And that’s exactly what Monti Ossenfort did, spending money sensibly despite the large amount of cap space, and rightfully prepping to build this football team through the NFL Draft.
Sort of sounds like the anti-Steve Keim, right? It’s a welcoming change for the better, even if you may think the Cards made nothing but “boring” signings. But hey, Keim’s method of taking chances on boom-or-bust talent, trading away draft picks, and landing the occasional blockbuster trade or free agent signing never quite worked out.
So despite the cap space and the fact the Cards won four measly games in 2023, Ossenfort likely thought, “Why keep trying something that hasn’t worked?” There are no guarantees, but there is no point in repeating strategies that have amounted to nothing.
Arizona Cardinals general manager continued to make sensible signings
Barring anything extraordinary, none of Monti Ossenfort’s signings will cause you to jump out of your seat and pump your fist on game day. They won’t be Pro Bowlers, and most aren’t even great players.
But the likes of Rashad Fenton, Carlos Watkins, Krys Barnes, Zach Pascal, and Dennis Daley have all enjoyed at least adequate stints in their respective stops. They are serviceable players who may or may not be in town when the Cardinals become a contending team once more, but they are also players who give this team a chance to win more often in 2023 and play some respectable football.
Of course, so will Hjalte Froholdt, Kyzir White, Kevin Strong, L.J. Collier, and Josh Woods. So how did, as we shift gears from free agency to full-on NFL Draft mode, the Arizona Cardinals fare in free agency? Keep reading for more.
Best Signing - Kyzir White, LB
Kyzir White started coming around in 2021 during his final year with the Los Angeles Chargers. He amassed an amazing 144 combined tackles, including 90 solo, seven tackles for loss, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles that year, setting the stage for a successful 2022.
White proved his 2021 breakout was no fluke when he logged an additional 110 combined tackles (66 solo) under then Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator, Jonathan Gannon. While we still don’t know exactly what kind of system Gannon will run, it’s clear that the coach will bring elements of what he did in Philadelphia to the desert. White’s presence will prove to be a huge help for those who’ve played under other names like Vance Joseph.
Finally, it remains a mystery of where Gannon will play Isaiah Simmons. While listed as a linebacker, given the influx of linebackers brought to Glendale this season, it indicates we may see the star backer play more slot corner and in the secondary. With White coming to town, he and fellow newcomer Krys Barnes will further allow Simmons to branch out in 2023.
Most Intriguing Signing - L.J. Collier, DE
L.J. Collier may have been a bust with the Seattle Seahawks, but sometimes when you sign with a division rival, it will bring out the best in you. The Arizona Cardinals are hoping that’s the case with Collier, and if it is, he could form a solid tandem with the incoming Carlos Watkins.
Further, if Collier proves he was just playing in the wrong system and thrives under Jonathan Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, the 27-year-old former first round pick could find a home in the NFL. One intriguing fact is that Collier was a late-bloomer in college, having recorded 40 total tackles, 9.0 for loss, and 8.5 sacks during his first three seasons at TCU.
His senior season was another story, as Collier broke out for 42 combined tackles (27 solo), 11.5 behind the line, and 6.0 sacks. That said, Collier’s broken out late once before, and he can definitely do so again with a fresh start in the desert.
Grade - A
I’ll let the other outlets grade the Arizona Cardinals somewhere between a C and an F, depending on what mood they’re in. But free agency is not always about glamor, especially for young teams seeking to build their program up the right way.
Instead of signing a couple of high-profile free agents who may or may not fit Gannon’s incoming systems, bode well with the culture change, or team chemistry, Monti Ossenfort instead went for under-the-radar signings, featuring players that played serviceable roles elsewhere in the league.
Other players, like Collier, didn’t live up to expectations at their first stop. But given their overall draft status, or in the case of players like Dennis Daley, their ability to at least hold onto a starting job, warranted a fair look. And Ossenfort was smart enough to consider.
Overall, by going with role players on shorter deals, it gives Ossenfort a chance to boast an adequate roster while he finds the right personnel via the NFL Draft. This could lead to a lean season in 2023, but it will ultimately transform the Arizona Cardinals into a younger, more competitive football team with a larger window for success.
(Statistics provided by Pro-Football-Reference and Sports-Reference/CFB)