Remaining Critical Needs For Arizona Cardinals Post-Free Agency

So far this offseason, we have seen Arizona Cardinals General Manager Steve Keim make a flurry of moves — perhaps more than any other typical season. The team parted ways with some veterans, most notably Tyrann Mathieu and Jared Veldheer. In return, they also added some solid vets in Sam Bradford, Andre Smith, Justin Pugh and Mike Glennon.

But as everyone knows, there is still work to be done and roster holes to be filled. Much of that will come with the draft at the end of April. Other spots will be filled with some free agency leftovers.

What positions are “critical” needs that absolutely must be addressed one way or another? Let’s look at a few.

Cornerback

The Cardinals still have not settled who will be the #2 corner for the team this year. Tramon Williams was presumed to be in the running for a return, but he signed a two-year pact with the Packers. Arizona has hosted some other free agent corners such as E.J. Gaines and Marcus Cooper, but they ended up signing elsewhere as well.

There are still some guys out there for both the #2 corner spot and slot corner (Brice McCain and Robert McClain are a couple guys that personally intrigue me, the latter of which the Cardinals have already reportedly visited with), but nobody that is necessarily going to be a world beater. The team would probably be best off finding another stud in the draft.

Wide Receiver

I know it’s a hole, you know it’s a hole, Steve Wilks knows it’s a hole, your 90 year old grandmother knows it’s a hole. Right now, the team’s top receivers are Larry Fitzgerald, Chad Williams and J.J. Nelson. Not exactly awe-inspiring. Yes, David Johnson will be back and will likely get more receptions than probably everyone else outside of Fitz, but the team could still use someone with some more playmaking ability.

Like the cornerback position, the Cardinals have brought in some various free agents for visits at wide receiver, most notably Jordan Matthews. The team will likely sign a stopgap at the position while also bolstering it through the draft.

Defensive Tackle

To say this position qualifies as a “critical” need may be a bit of an overstatement, but it is a need nonetheless. The defensive end spot looks good to go with reigning sack leader Chandler Jones and Markus Golden. They should both play fine in the new 4-3 defensive scheme. But with the change in scheme, the Cards could look to bolster the defensive tackle spot. Right now, Corey Peters and Robert Nkemdiche would probably be your two starters, only one of which has shown he can play at the NFL level. Olsen Pierre can also play DT in the 4-3 and was a nice piece for the team last season.

A mid-round pick of someone that can eat some blocks up the middle would be a nice addition to the roster.

What do you think, Cards fans? Which positions do you view as being dire needs for the team?