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Arizona Cardinals: Top needs after big free agency moves

By Matt Murray

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 13: Linebacker Markus Golden #44 of the Arizona Cardinals sacks quarterback Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants and forces a fumble in the first quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on December 13, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Cardinals recovered the fumble. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 13: Linebacker Markus Golden #44 of the Arizona Cardinals sacks quarterback Daniel Jones #8 of the New York Giants and forces a fumble in the first quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium on December 13, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Cardinals recovered the fumble. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /
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Deandre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals, NFL
Oct 25, 2020; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Deandre Hopkins (10) catches a 35-yard pass for a touchdown against Seattle Seahawks cornerback Quinton Dunbar (22) in the first quarter at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hardiman-USA TODAY Sports /

Receivers for the Future

Although the Cardinals added AJ Green the need at receiver is still pretty glaring. The Cardinals are entering the season with DeAndre Hopkins, AJ Green, Christian Kirk, KeeSean Johnson, Andy Isabella, and practice squad players Jojo Ward and AJ Richardson.

At first glance, it looks like the Cardinals may have a good top four receivers. However, if you dive into their contracts Green signed a one-year deal and Kirk is on the final year of his rookie contract so after 2021, there will be a large hole to be filled.

Outside of the contract situations of Green and Kirk, Isabella has continually been less than everyone in the valley hoped for and looks like he is on the outside looking in for playing time.

Johnson has shown great ability and can contribute but shouldn’t surpass WR3 or WR4. So the Cardinals have a few options resign the oft-injured Kirk, draft a receiver to fill either the role opposite Hopkins or the future opening in the slot, or do what they have done the last couple of seasons and wait till 2022 and sign another free agent.

A side note with the loss of Trent Sherfield — I would expect a player to be added to fill his role on special teams but this could come internally from someone like AJ Richardson if the team thinks he could fill the void left by Sherfield.

Dan Arnold Replacement

This has been a hot topic recently in the media and is one of the biggest holes the Cardinals have on their roster. That being said Kliff Kingsbury hasn’t ever shown the need to have a top talent at TE.

With Maxx Williams and Darrell Daniels on the roster, I don’t believe there are any splash moves coming to the tight end room. Yes, there are TV heads saying the Cardinals may move up for Kyle Pitts but it doesn’t fit Kingsbury’s offense it seems like too much draft capital for the tight end position.

A late-round pick or a move for a familiar face like Darren Fells seems much more reasonable of a move for the Cardinals. They could also look to a former teammate of AJ Green, Tyler Eiffert, to sign a veteran minimum contract and see if he could fill a pass-catching exclusive role.

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