Arizona Cardinals Offseason Needs: Skill Players and Pass Defenders
Offense
There was some potential drama brewing between Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals organization as he unfollowed their accounts on social media and reports were leaked that the team described him as “self-centered” and “immature.” The disagreement seems to have stemmed from the Cardinals’ blowout playoff loss to the Rams and who should take the blame.
Both Murray and the team released statements reaffirming their commitments to each other, so the dust has seemed to have settled. At least for now. But Arizona should strongly consider acquiring some weapons for Murray as they’ll likely have some skill position holes (wide receiver notwithstanding) after the smoke clears from free agency.
Running back
Arizona’s top two running backs are both slated to hit free agency this spring, James Conner and Chase Edmonds. The running back position is key to the Cardinals’ offense because of some of the zone read schemes they run, and because a solid running game can slow down the pass rush and make things easier for Kyler Murray. The simple solution would be to re-sign Conner (752 rushing yards and18 total touchdowns this past season) for a short deal in the 2-year, $13 million range and let Edmonds walk.
Alternatively, Arizona could offer the more efficient Edmonds (5.1 yards per carry to Conner’s 3.7 YPC) a slightly cheaper contract at around 2 years, $12 million and pick up a workhorse back in the 2022 NFL Draft. They may even let both walk and go bargain hunting in the free agent market and take a late round flier on a running back in the draft. Regardless, decisions will have to be made at the running back position this offseason.
Tight end
Arizona’s top four tight ends are without contracts for next season. Zach Ertz will turn 32 at the end of next year and Maxx Williams has only ever started ten games in a season once in his seven-year NFL career. Williams has been plagued by injuries to his knees and ankles throughout his time in the NFL, and I can’t see the Cardinals betting on him staying healthy. Ertz will probably move on and seek to secure one more substantial contract before he retires.
The free agent market for tight ends will likely be too rich for the Cardinals’ blood, as they likely don’t want to fork over $15 million per year for a tight end when they have so many other pressing defensive holes to fill. They could look at Rob Gronkowski on a one-year $7 million deal as a go-for-it move. The Cowboys’ Dalton Schultz could also be an option at somewhere around 4 years, $36 million.
Barring those moves, the Arizona Cardinals could look to the draft, where there are several potential impact players that could be available for them in the first or second rounds of the 2022 NFL Draft. Colorado State’s Trey McBride, Texas A&M’s Jalen Wydermeyer, and Washington’s Cade Otton should all be available when Arizona makes their first selection at #23 in the first round.
These players would be cost-effective solutions to Arizona’s tight end conundrum and should ideally be able to both help Kyler Murray in the passing game and bolster the running game through their blocking.