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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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Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones celebrating a tackle for a loss. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones celebrating a tackle for a loss. (Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images) /

Outside linebacker a position of need for the Arizona Cardinals? 

This may be a surprise to some but there has been speculation that Devon Kennard could be a cut candidate for quite some time and Chandler Jones is on a contract year. I don’t believe the Cardinals allow Jones to leave but they have to plan for the future.

Currently, at outside linebacker, the depth is Jones, Markus Golden, Kennard, Dennis Gardeck, and Tanner Vallejo.

Jones is clearly one of the leaders of the defense, Golden resigning and Gardeck getting tendered put the Cardinals in a decent situation entering the 2021 season but moving forward things could get very blurry with multiple contracts conversations in the near future.

The Cardinals could address this in a variety of ways including early or late draft picks or free agency in 2021 or 2022 but it will need to be addressed soon.

Defensive Tackle

This is a position I can’t seem to wrap my head around. The team continually talked up the two rookies in 2020 but they never seemed to make an impact.

With a restructured defensive front in 2021, this could expedite some results from Leki Fotu and Reshard Lawrence or it could reveal a true weakness for the team. The other option for the defensive line is to push Jordan Phillips to the interior if they see Zach Allen as an option to take over opposite JJ Watt.

A depth addition here feels inevitable before the season and could even come from a familiar face like Corey Peters.

Another Cornerback

If you haven’t noticed the pattern the Cardinals need cornerbacks as I stated earlier this should be their first pick in the draft and should continue to be a target in the later rounds. They need to add depth as well as a starter opposite Malcolm Butler.

I would expect two corners to be drafted as well as another free agent to be brought in. The undrafted free agent market this year is another place I expect they will bring in competition but if the room is built correctly shouldn’t make much of an impact in 2021.

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