The Roster Upcoming

[Harry]

Last season I predicted the Cards would contend for the playoffs. I still think this roster is better than others believe. Nolen is a major loss, but they needed more Dline help even if he were playing. The draft is decent, but FA is a huge pool with affordable guys if they will come to AZ. I expect the Oline to also be heavily addressed, mostly in the draft. If the Cards trade down and trade Murray, they’ll have the picks. I wouldn’t write off Hernandez as I think he may have been pressed into playing before being fully recovered. He should come cheap. Still they need a RT and likely at least a couple of interior guys. Finally they need a QB, though Willis might be the best play. I see lots of roster cuts that will add to the cap, though a Murray trade will hurt. Gone will likely be Nichols, SMB, ADG, E Brown and maybe Tomlinson. Connor will likely redo his deal. If Froholdt & Collins want to stay that’s another two contracts to rework. The injuries produced a bunch of small contracts that will disappear, though replacements won’t result in major savings. Even without the contract reworks that’s 20 million more cap room. This would cover Murray’s hit from a probable trade, leaving the Cards $45-$50 million cap space. That’s not a lot, but with the extra picks it should be enough.

 

[Stout]

Last season I predicted the Cards would contend for the playoffs. I still think this roster is better than others believe. Nolen is a major loss, but they needed more Dline help even if he were playing. The draft is decent, but FA is a huge pool with affordable guys if they will come to AZ. I expect the Oline to also be heavily addressed, mostly in the draft. If the Cards trade down and trade Murray, they’ll have the picks. I wouldn’t write off Hernandez as I think he may have been pressed into playing before being fully recovered. He should come cheap. Still they need a RT and likely at least a couple of interior guys. Finally they need a QB, though Willis might be the best play. I see lots of roster cuts that will add to the cap, though a Murray trade will hurt. Gone will likely be Nichols, SMB, ADG, E Brown and maybe Tomlinson. Connor will likely redo his deal. If Froholdt & Collins want to stay that’s another two contracts to rework. The injuries produced a bunch of small contracts that will disappear, though replacements won’t result in major savings. Even without the contract reworks that’s 20 million more cap room. This would cover Murray’s hit from a probable trade, leaving the Cards $45-$50 million cap space. That’s not a lot, but with the extra picks it should be enough.

If that is anything more than a bottom of the depth chart signing, this regime would lose me already.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

if they will come to AZ.

Seems like a pretty big if.

Gone will likely be Nichols, SMB, ADG, E Brown and maybe Tomlinson.

So basically most all of Monti's big FA acquisitions? Niiicce.

 

[Chopper0080]

The two areas of interest to me is how Monti addresses the DL and OL.

You can argue that with the Nolen injury, the DL is the worst unit on the Cardinals which is wild after three seasons under Monti. People talk about cutting Dalvin but he is the best DL player on the roster right now if Nolen doesn't play. It's also not a great class for pass rushing DL players so that leaves the options for upgrading the group fairly limited.

With OL, who is coaching the unit and is Monti will to spend? If Monti doesn't sign a FA RT of any quality, he is planning on drafting a RT at 3. Book it. It will also be interesting to see if he does anything different to address the interior OL group. He has some picks in there and players he has added, how stubborn is he going to be to give "his guys" a shot?

 

[Delmar M Lewis]

In this instance a trade down serms the best possible way the more picks the better the odds of course there is always the unknown injury risk and factor

 

[Stout]

In this instance a trade down serms the best posdible way the more picks the better the odds of course there is always the unknown injury risk and factor

Ah yes, the magic beans approach has worked so well for Monti thus far lol Moar draft picks! Moar cap space!

 

[kerouac9]

Baron Browning had 2 sacks last season when he was healthy all year.

It’s difficult to understand how Monti kept his job.

 

[Chopper0080]

Baron Browning had 2 sacks last season when he was healthy all year.

It’s difficult to understand how Monti kept his job.

Absolutely. People want to highlight that some of his moves worked, and they did, but far more have not significantly improved the roster. A lot of wasted money and assets that continue to hinder the growth of the team.

 

[football karma]

Baron Browning had 2 sacks last season when he was healthy all year.

It’s difficult to understand how Monti kept his job.

I feel like i saw him dropping into coverage as much as rushing the passer last year

 

[oaken1]

Absolutely. People want to highlight that some of his moves worked, and they did, but far more have not significantly improved the roster. A lot of wasted money and assets that continue to hinder the growth of the team.

considering that most of our draft picks didnt really develop and even some of our free agents performed worse here than with previous teams I think there is a decent chance that it was a coaching issue and not a serious talent deficit that lead to our piss poor season.

 

[kerouac9]

James Conner has a $1 million roster bonus due March 15 so we’ll know on him pretty quick.

 

[football karma]

James Conner has a $1 million roster bonus due March 15 so we’ll know on him pretty quick.

enough $ to get your attention, but not enough to make a real cap difference

ugh

 

[football karma]

this feels like a good place to leave this --

the tweet gave me ptsd flashbacks

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[ASUCHRIS]

James Conner has a $1 million roster bonus due March 15 so we’ll know on him pretty quick.

You must be registered for see images attach

Investing big time resources in the RB position is always the wrong decision.

 

[TRW]

One thing, among many, that stood out to me was the SPEED that the Seahawks have. Something the Cardinals were sorely lacking.

 

[slanidrac16]

This o-line was very very good in 2024. Adams left and it all went to pot. Coaches matter. The o-line coach will be a huge decision.
I’d rather sign a free agent RT and draft Bailey.
ML is going to get a o-line coach that fits his philosophy.

 

[kerouac9]

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Investing big time resources in the RB position is always the wrong decision.

Trey Benson will save us

 

[Chopper0080]

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Investing big time resources in the RB position is always the wrong decision.

I mean...it depends on what you deem "big time resources" are. Saquon wasn't free. KWalker was pick 41. 2014-2023 was Pat Mahomes, Matt Stafford, Peyton Manning and one year of Nick Foles. 2011-2023 were teams kinda built around those RBs. The 2010 Packers RB info is skewed because they paid Ryan Grant 5.7 mil that year but he went out for the season after week 1.

 

[Goodyear Card]

James Conner has a $1 million roster bonus due March 15 so we’ll know on him pretty quick.

If you scroll down to 2026 deadlines, you can see all the roster bonuses and other contract deadlines. https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/arizona-cardinals/overview

 

[Chopper0080]

Also, for 2025 playoff teams had equal representation of cap dollars spent at RB in the top 10 as they did in the bottom 10.

 

[Harry]

I mean...it depends on what you deem "big time resources" are. Saquon wasn't free. KWalker was pick 41. 2014-2023 was Pat Mahomes, Matt Stafford, Peyton Manning and one year of Nick Foles. 2011-2023 were teams kinda built around those RBs. The 2010 Packers RB info is skewed because they paid Ryan Grant 5.7 mil that year but he went out for the season after week 1.

Just not a great pool.

 

[NWMike]

This next year pretty much feels like a redshirt year to me. Consider

We are going to have a first year, first time head coach (again) and most likely a coaching staff lacking experience as well. We can hope they'll be good but reality says they will make mistakes

We will be missing two of the starters on defense we were hoping to depend on. If true about Nolan, he is out for most of the year and don't forget Williams had the achilles so he is prob out as well. Not sure what will happen with Calais but even if he comes back it would only be a part time role.

The right side of the oline needs to be rebuilt.

The QB situation is muddled at best. I would be surprised if Kyler could fetch anything in trade and I think the well is so poisoned now you can't bring him back. Cutting him is not impossible but it limits what you can do to upgrade the roster elsewhere.

There is no guarantee Connor will return to form or even be ready for camp so you'll have to cut him and Benson is unknown.

There are no marquee players in this years draft so trading down is unlikely


With all that in mind here is what I'm thinking

Cuts - Murphy Bunting, Davis Gaither, Connor, Jalen Thompson (void), Jonah Williams (void) - savings $20M

Cut Murray - additional cap hit $2M

Free agency - work on fixing the o-line (not going to be able to get top guys but hopefully 1-2 mid range guys)

Draft -
rd 1 - best defensive player available (Reese/Bain/Bailey)
rd 2 - o line or cornerback
rd 3 - take a flyer on Chambliss or Neussmeir

Going into 2027 Murray is off the books so we'll have a ton of cap space but we'll need to extend Wilson and some others. We should have a top 5 pick again so if the rd 3 guy didn't work out you get your franchise qb then.

 

[Goodyear Card]

This next year pretty much feels like a redshirt year to me. Consider

We are going to have a first year, first time head coach (again) and most likely a coaching staff lacking experience as well. We can hope they'll be good but reality says they will make mistakes

We will be missing two of the starters on defense we were hoping to depend on. If true about Nolan, he is out for most of the year and don't forget Williams had the achilles so he is prob out as well. Not sure what will happen with Calais but even if he comes back it would only be a part time role.

The right side of the oline needs to be rebuilt.

With all that in mind here is what I'm thinking

Cuts - Murphy Bunting, Davis Gaither, Connor, Jalen Thompson (void), Jonah Williams (void) - savings $20M

Cut Murray - additional cap hit $2M

Draft -
rd 1 - best defensive player available (Reese/Bain/Bailey)
rd 2 - o line or cornerback
rd 3 - take a flyer on Chambliss or Neussmeir

Additional Cuts
Brown $4.9M

Nichols $5.8M

Currently $42M in cap space. We should have close to $70M in cap space when free agency starts.

Draft. Keep it simple. Draft best available player. We have needs everywhere, so anyone can help.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Additional Cuts
Brown $4.9M

Nichols $5.8M

Currently $42M in cap space. We should have close to $70M in cap space when free agency starts.

Draft. Keep it simple. Draft best available player. We have needs everywhere, so anyone can help.

Going from memory, many thought the Cards were viable playoff contenders to start the season and didn't Monti have about $30 mill in cap space left over and did nothing with it? Who cares if they have $70 mill in cap space? They'll get bottom level roster filler types like always and keep the powder dry.

 

[Stout]

Going from memory, many thought the Cards were viable playoff contenders to start the season and didn't Monti have about $30 mill in cap space left over and did nothing with it? Who cares if they have $70 mill in cap space? They'll get bottom level roster filler types like always and keep the powder dry.

This is exactly why I have a jersey marked Cap Space. Imagine signing an injured player who wouldn't be available to play and play okay until closer to midseason as your starting RG. In hindsight, that would be...no, wait, it was foresight. We saw it coming and we hated it.