NFL Free Agency is around the corner, and the Arizona Cardinals might look to keep a few of their own free agents. Others, they will let walk.
The Arizona Cardinals would be wise to retain a few of their pending free agents. While they want to get younger, and rightfully so, there are a few seasoned veterans listed who they may want to stick around for leadership and stopgap purposes.
While the Cards have over 30 pending free agents, many of whom are barely worth mentioning, I decided to narrow the list to the 12 most notable names who could find themselves back in a cardinal and white uniform.
So what will happen to the following players? Keep reading for more.
Which notable free agents will the Arizona Cardinals re-sign?
1 - Zach Allen
Zach Allen is without a doubt the biggest name on the list. Given his age and productivity, he could fit into the Arizona Cardinals future plans, so chances are, general manager Monti Ossenfort will do all he can to re-sign him.
This isn’t to say Ossenfort will bring him back. But it’s safe to say Allen will return to the Redbirds in 2023 if the two sides can strike a deal. Prediction: Re-sign.
2 - Kelvin Beachum
Kelvin Beachum recently made headlines thanks to his statements regarding Kyler Murray. This could cause some friction between the two, but at 34, it’s tough to say whether Ossenfort will bring the 11-year veteran back. Perhaps Beachum already knows he won’t be returning.
He could, however, provide leadership skills and durability. But the Cards will likely move in a different, younger direction. Prediction: Let Walk.
3 - Antonio Hamilton
The journeyman played well for the Arizona Cardinals and worked his way into playing a significant role with the team. But at 30, it’s clear that he likely won’t be around when the Cards start winning games, so that initially leads me to believe he won’t re-sign.
However, there is word going around that Byron Murphy Jr might demand a large payday, despite his ongoing injury concerns. This tells me that the Cards will keep Hamilton around for another season. Prediction: Re-sign.
4 - Will Hernandez
Will Hernandez will be 28 this year, so he fits the billing for a younger Cardinals team. He also played well in 13 games, and Hernandez gave fans hope that he can be a long-term fixture on the offensive line. .
I can also see Ossenfort willing to bring back the interior lineman since he would also fill an otherwise barren position. Prediction: Re-sign.
5 - Andy Lee
Andy Lee returned to the desert last season and had a solid year, with increases inside the 20, and a substantial decrease in touchbacks in 2022 as opposed to his 2021 outing.
While Lee’s older age goes against the younger billing of what the Arizona Cardinals want, he would also give the Redbirds a reliable punter for another season in which they will probably need one. Prediction: Re-sign.
6 - Byron Murphy
Word has it that Byron Murphy might get paid rather well this offseason, and if he’s looking for a larger contract, the Cardinals might want to steer clear. Murphy has had his fair share of injury issues, as he saw action in just nine games last season.
While he’s one of the NFL’s better corners overall, he also struggled last season, allowing a 103.1 passer rating, a 63.6% completion percentage, and he logged just four deflected passes. Prediction: Let Walk.
7 - Ben Niemann
One of the more pleasant surprises in 2022, Ben Niemann stepped up for the Arizona Cardinals and recorded 70 tackles and a fumble recovery. And while he’s nothing more than a tackling machine, Niemann could step in, start at one of the linebacker positions, and fill the role admirably.
He would also be a huge help if the Cards decide to let Isaiah Simmons roam the defense. Overall, he’s worth taking another look at. Prediction: Re-sign.
8 - Matt Prater
Like Andy Lee, Matt Prater is older, but he also posted his highest field goal accuracy percentage since 2015 at 88%. And with a long of 57 yards, it’s clear that Prater still has plenty of leg left in him, despite the fact he will turn 39.
Also like Lee, if the Cardinals keep Prater around, he will at least fill the special teams position for another season, allowing the Redbirds to worry about more pressing needs. Prediction: Re-sign.
9 - Justin Pugh
Justin Pugh started just five games last season before a torn ACL ended his campaign. Yet another aging player, he’s someone who I’d be shocked to see in a cardinal and white uniform next season.
Further, Pugh would also like to chase a Super Bowl ring at this point in his career, so I don’t see him returning. Prediction: Let Walk.
10 - Nick Vigil
We thought we’d see more of Nick Vigil last season, but after just four games and two starts, chances are the new regime won’t take another chance on him. Don’t look for them to bring back Vigil. Prediction: Let Walk.
11 - Maxx Williams
This past season, Trey McBride had a breakout second half following Zach Ertz’s season-ending injury, leaving Williams to be more of an afterthought. And while Williams showed some flashes during his time in the desert, look for the Arizona Cardinals to hang onto Ertz while McBride works his way into a TE1 role.
This would delegate Williams to a TE3 role, and it’s probably best if the Cards take a flier on a younger talent. Prediction: Let Walk.
12 - Greg Dortch
Few on the Cards played like Dortch did in 2022. Though undersized, he’s young and productive, having amassed 52 receptions, 467 yards, and 2 touchdowns. While there are no guarantees, Dortch deserves another chance to shine in the desert.
He was a remarkable fixture on offense last season, and you can even argue that he was the Cardinals best offensive puzzle piece thanks to his ability to produce when given the chance. Prediction: Re-sign.
(Statistics provided by Pro-Football-Reference)