Cut Mike Iupati, Jared Veldheer, Adrian Peterson
I think there is some really interesting offensive line draft prospects in the draft, and even if the Cardinals are not able to select them, or if the players are not ready to contribute as rookies, I think it is possible to replace Veldheer and Iupati at a much lower salary. The same goes for Adrian Peterson.
Re-sign Jaron Brown, Alex Boone, Earl Watford, Josh Bynes, Justin Bethel, Tramon Williams
I think Jaron Brown is kind of important since they seem to have a weak wide receiver-group going into the draft. I mean, besides Larry Fitzgerald I don’t really see any big contributors. I think they will let John Brown test the market and I don’t think J.J. Nelson will ever develop into more than an average deep threat. On top of that, I keep forgetting they have Chad Williams on the roster which I think says something. Jaron Brown is no world class player, but I think he is dependable.
I thought Alex Boone played well after they brought him in and more or less solidified the right side of the offensive line. Now, since I would cut Veldheer and maybe even insert a rookie in his place, I think it would be nice to have a veteran and good player next to that tackle. Earl Watford is, to me, a good depth player.
I also think Josh Bynes is a nice depth player, and that he played well in the latter part of last season. He probably won’t break the bank.
I believe Justin Bethel is one of the very best special team players in the NFL, and I believe that part of the game is often being highly undervalued, both by fans and by the teams.
Finally someone solidified the cornerback-spot opposite Patrick Peterson, and though Tramon Williams is getting up there in age, I think his play last season more than confirmed that he’s not done yet.
Restructure Tyrann Mathieu, Deone Buccanon
I know some fans would cut Mathieu for salary cap purposes, and I don’t think that is out of the question. I would, however, try hard to restructure his contract first. It’s easy to say now that he should never have gotten that big contract extension, but that sort of hindsight is obviously not constructive now. I just think Mathieu has earned the right to show that he can bounce back once more, and I think the Cardinals are a much more fun team with Mathieu on the field. I want him back.
With Buccanon it might be more about giving him a new contract than restructure his current, but since it is technically the same thing I thought I would leave him in this category. I would personally like to see what he can do back at safety. I know it’s been a long time since he has played the position, and maybe it won’t work out at all, but I just think it was clear that more or less the entire defense missed the hard-hitting presence and basically the swagger D.J. Swearinger played with. I think Buccanon has some of that and in some ways can be compared to Swearinger. Also, Steve Wilks has said multiple times that he wants his team to play very physical.
Sign in free agency
This is obviously based on these guys actually reaching free agency which is no sure thing.
Offensive guard Andrew Norwell – Carolina Panthers
He is by far the biggest fish of the offensive lineman in free agency. The Panthers will probably let him test the market since they already have three offensive linemen with major contracts, and a fourth might be too much for them. New Cardinals offensive line coach Ray Brown has a history of huge success with Norwell, and in this scenario the Cardinals will let go of Iupati, creating an obvious place for Norwell.
Wide receiver Albert Wilson – Kansas City Chiefs
I think he has been the Chiefs’ version of Jaron Brown for years. He has never been close to being their primary wide receiver, but he seems to always get his catches and contribute big to their offense. I like him a lot.
Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin – Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens obviously haven’t released Maclin yet, but most reporters seem to think it will happen since he has underperformed while in Baltimore and not at all lived up to his contract. I have always liked Maclin, and I would bet on him having a bounce back year. Since it has been some time since he has been really good, I doubt that he would command a huge contract.
Quarterback Sam Bradford – Minnesota Vikings
I have been on record stating that I would like the Cardinals to pursue Kirk Cousins. That has not changed. I have, however, also stated several times that I would like the Cardinals to trade up in the draft to select one of the quarterbacks. If the latter scenario happens, I would consider Sam Bradford to be a good option in free agency. In his very little amount of playing time with the Vikings last season, I thought he was very good, and he has obviously shown that on several other occasions as well. Now, he will probably get injured sometimes during the season which would create a natural opening for a rookie to step in. If they can get a good half season out of Bradford, I would be glad. If they can get a good entire season out of Bradford, I would be glad. Next offseason they could then either cut him, trade him or keep him as a backup if they want.
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater – Minnesota Vikings
I understand that they probably won’t get two quarterbacks on incentive-laden contracts in free agency, but I sure would like it to happen. I have written in other threads how I think Bridgewater could be a fascinating signing. Whichever team he signs with, his contract will most likely reflect that he might never play another down. However, he could also show some of the promise that he did earlier in his career, and thus making the gamble to sign him plenty worthwhile. If they did sign another quarterback as well, and even drafted someone too, I really don’t see the downside to signing Bridgewater to a small prove it deal and let him compete in training camp.
Edge rusher Alex Okafor – New Orleans Saints
Yes, I would try to bring Okafor back. I think he was really good with the Saints last season before he got injured, and I think he was better with the Cardinals than Kareem Martin.
Defensive tackle Beau Allen – Philadelphia Eagles
Allen was a very good player last season as a key member of the Eagles’ defensive line. He had his breakout season right before hitting free agency, which is why he will probably get payed handsomely. I am a huge believer in the importance of the offensive and defensive lines, and I really want the Cardinals to invest in those units. I also think that Steve Wilks and Al Holcomb must be affected by how the Panthers continually invested in their defensive line with high draft picks and big contract extension.
Linebacker Christian Jones – Chicago Bears
I think the Bears’ defense last season was underrated, and I think Christian Jones were a fairly big part of their success. He can play both outside- and inside linebacker, and he is a highly impressive athlete. I am not saying he is anywhere near Shaq Thompson as a talent, but I think it’s fair to compare them as player types, and thus making Jones an interesting option to Wilks and Holcomb.
Cornerback Patrick Robinson – Philadelphia Eagles
I added Robinson to this list mostly because of the issues at cornerback across from Patrick Peterson, and because it was reported just yesterday that the Cardinals had interest in Robinson. I would probably rather have Tramon Williams back, but Robinson is a good player.
Safety Terrence Brooks – New York Jets
I think Tyvon Branch will leave the Cardinals, and with the Tyrann Mathieu-situation up in the air I wanted to add a safety to my free agency wishlist. I thought Brooks played well with the Eagles two seasons ago, and I simply take it is a seal of quality that he was a solid backup on a Todd Bowles-defense last season. Also, he is a very good special team player which I have given my opinion of in a section above.
I think there is some really interesting offensive line draft prospects in the draft, and even if the Cardinals are not able to select them, or if the players are not ready to contribute as rookies, I think it is possible to replace Veldheer and Iupati at a much lower salary. The same goes for Adrian Peterson.
Re-sign Jaron Brown, Alex Boone, Earl Watford, Josh Bynes, Justin Bethel, Tramon Williams
I think Jaron Brown is kind of important since they seem to have a weak wide receiver-group going into the draft. I mean, besides Larry Fitzgerald I don’t really see any big contributors. I think they will let John Brown test the market and I don’t think J.J. Nelson will ever develop into more than an average deep threat. On top of that, I keep forgetting they have Chad Williams on the roster which I think says something. Jaron Brown is no world class player, but I think he is dependable.
I thought Alex Boone played well after they brought him in and more or less solidified the right side of the offensive line. Now, since I would cut Veldheer and maybe even insert a rookie in his place, I think it would be nice to have a veteran and good player next to that tackle. Earl Watford is, to me, a good depth player.
I also think Josh Bynes is a nice depth player, and that he played well in the latter part of last season. He probably won’t break the bank.
I believe Justin Bethel is one of the very best special team players in the NFL, and I believe that part of the game is often being highly undervalued, both by fans and by the teams.
Finally someone solidified the cornerback-spot opposite Patrick Peterson, and though Tramon Williams is getting up there in age, I think his play last season more than confirmed that he’s not done yet.
Restructure Tyrann Mathieu, Deone Buccanon
I know some fans would cut Mathieu for salary cap purposes, and I don’t think that is out of the question. I would, however, try hard to restructure his contract first. It’s easy to say now that he should never have gotten that big contract extension, but that sort of hindsight is obviously not constructive now. I just think Mathieu has earned the right to show that he can bounce back once more, and I think the Cardinals are a much more fun team with Mathieu on the field. I want him back.
With Buccanon it might be more about giving him a new contract than restructure his current, but since it is technically the same thing I thought I would leave him in this category. I would personally like to see what he can do back at safety. I know it’s been a long time since he has played the position, and maybe it won’t work out at all, but I just think it was clear that more or less the entire defense missed the hard-hitting presence and basically the swagger D.J. Swearinger played with. I think Buccanon has some of that and in some ways can be compared to Swearinger. Also, Steve Wilks has said multiple times that he wants his team to play very physical.
Sign in free agency
This is obviously based on these guys actually reaching free agency which is no sure thing.
Offensive guard Andrew Norwell – Carolina Panthers
He is by far the biggest fish of the offensive lineman in free agency. The Panthers will probably let him test the market since they already have three offensive linemen with major contracts, and a fourth might be too much for them. New Cardinals offensive line coach Ray Brown has a history of huge success with Norwell, and in this scenario the Cardinals will let go of Iupati, creating an obvious place for Norwell.
Wide receiver Albert Wilson – Kansas City Chiefs
I think he has been the Chiefs’ version of Jaron Brown for years. He has never been close to being their primary wide receiver, but he seems to always get his catches and contribute big to their offense. I like him a lot.
Wide receiver Jeremy Maclin – Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens obviously haven’t released Maclin yet, but most reporters seem to think it will happen since he has underperformed while in Baltimore and not at all lived up to his contract. I have always liked Maclin, and I would bet on him having a bounce back year. Since it has been some time since he has been really good, I doubt that he would command a huge contract.
Quarterback Sam Bradford – Minnesota Vikings
I have been on record stating that I would like the Cardinals to pursue Kirk Cousins. That has not changed. I have, however, also stated several times that I would like the Cardinals to trade up in the draft to select one of the quarterbacks. If the latter scenario happens, I would consider Sam Bradford to be a good option in free agency. In his very little amount of playing time with the Vikings last season, I thought he was very good, and he has obviously shown that on several other occasions as well. Now, he will probably get injured sometimes during the season which would create a natural opening for a rookie to step in. If they can get a good half season out of Bradford, I would be glad. If they can get a good entire season out of Bradford, I would be glad. Next offseason they could then either cut him, trade him or keep him as a backup if they want.
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater – Minnesota Vikings
I understand that they probably won’t get two quarterbacks on incentive-laden contracts in free agency, but I sure would like it to happen. I have written in other threads how I think Bridgewater could be a fascinating signing. Whichever team he signs with, his contract will most likely reflect that he might never play another down. However, he could also show some of the promise that he did earlier in his career, and thus making the gamble to sign him plenty worthwhile. If they did sign another quarterback as well, and even drafted someone too, I really don’t see the downside to signing Bridgewater to a small prove it deal and let him compete in training camp.
Edge rusher Alex Okafor – New Orleans Saints
Yes, I would try to bring Okafor back. I think he was really good with the Saints last season before he got injured, and I think he was better with the Cardinals than Kareem Martin.
Defensive tackle Beau Allen – Philadelphia Eagles
Allen was a very good player last season as a key member of the Eagles’ defensive line. He had his breakout season right before hitting free agency, which is why he will probably get payed handsomely. I am a huge believer in the importance of the offensive and defensive lines, and I really want the Cardinals to invest in those units. I also think that Steve Wilks and Al Holcomb must be affected by how the Panthers continually invested in their defensive line with high draft picks and big contract extension.
Linebacker Christian Jones – Chicago Bears
I think the Bears’ defense last season was underrated, and I think Christian Jones were a fairly big part of their success. He can play both outside- and inside linebacker, and he is a highly impressive athlete. I am not saying he is anywhere near Shaq Thompson as a talent, but I think it’s fair to compare them as player types, and thus making Jones an interesting option to Wilks and Holcomb.
Cornerback Patrick Robinson – Philadelphia Eagles
I added Robinson to this list mostly because of the issues at cornerback across from Patrick Peterson, and because it was reported just yesterday that the Cardinals had interest in Robinson. I would probably rather have Tramon Williams back, but Robinson is a good player.
Safety Terrence Brooks – New York Jets
I think Tyvon Branch will leave the Cardinals, and with the Tyrann Mathieu-situation up in the air I wanted to add a safety to my free agency wishlist. I thought Brooks played well with the Eagles two seasons ago, and I simply take it is a seal of quality that he was a solid backup on a Todd Bowles-defense last season. Also, he is a very good special team player which I have given my opinion of in a section above.
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