3 UFAs the Arizona Cardinals could lose to the Broncos

While the Arizona Cardinals could take some players from their new coaches' former teams, their former coaches' new teams could do the same.

With former Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator heading back to Denver to fill the same role for the Broncos, don't be surprise if the Cards lose a few pending unrestricted free agents to the Mile High City. Chris Banjo already joined the organization as their special teams coach, and he could also play a major role in luring some soon-to-be former Cardinals over.

So let's meet three players about to become unrestricted free agents who might jump ship. Some you may see coming, but other names might surprise you.

Player #1 - Byron Murphy Jr.

While the Broncos have a pair of corners in Patrick Surtain II and K'Waun Williams, they could use someone like Murphy to line up in the slot. This is Murphy's natural positoin, and it gives him a chance to return there in a similar system that he grew used to in the desert.

While it would be ideal for the Arizona Cardinals to re-sign Murphy, injury issues this past season may prompt general manager Monti Ossenfort to let him walk. If that's the case, Denver could be his preferred destination.

Player #2 - Nick Vigil

Besides their corners, Denver also had a pair of solid linebackers in Alex Singleton and Josey Jewell in 2022. However, Singleton is a pending UFA, and there is no guarantee he will return. That said, the Arizona Cardinals may not keep Vigil around after he played in just four contests in 2022 before hamstring issues sidelined him.

Despite the injuries, Vigil can still be a productive player in this league. The journeyman racked up 85 tackles in 2021, a sack, and even a pick six while playing for the Minnesota Vikings. While Vigil wouldn't be a long-term answer for Joseph's defense, he could make a tremendous stopgap for a season. Either as a part-time starter or a key backup.

Player #3 - Zach Allen

While Allen will most likely return to a cardinal and white uniform this season, we still need to entertain the idea may be go elsewhere. Allen has played under Joseph since his rookie season in 2019, so that sense familiarity will be there if he decides a change of scenery is necessary.

Allen would come in and immediately compete for a spot along the defensive line, and with his production rising steadily year after year, don't be surprised if Denver offers him a solid amount of money to spurn the Sonoran Desert for the Rocky Mountains.

Overall, you can expect some player movement. Joseph may have had a rough outing toward the end of his tenure in the desert, but it doesn't mean he wasn't popular with the defensive unit. Ideally, the Cards will keep Allen and Murphy, and Vigil could stick around as a backup. Time will ultimately tell if whether any of the above will wind up in the Rockies.

Source: 3 players that could follow Vance Joseph to the Denver Broncos by Sayre Bedinger, PredominantlyOrange.com

(Statistics provided by Pro-Football-Reference)