Two Arizona Cardinals make the ESPN top 50 free agents for 2021

Two of the biggest question marks heading into the 2021 NFL offseason are the only two players from the Arizona Cardinals on the ESPN Top 50 Free Agents list.

Haason Reddick and Patrick Peterson are tough evals for the Cardinals because they are either one-year wonders or veterans playing poorly, but both play premium positions that will no doubt cost some money.

The Cardinals have plenty of needs, and not bringing both back will definitely make those needs worse, but can they afford to pay $25-30 million for the two?

Here is what E$PN had to say:

24. Haason Reddick, Edge

2020 team: Arizona Cardinals | Age entering 2021 season: 26

What a career turnaround Reddick managed in 2020. A first-round pick in 2016 as an inside linebacker, Reddick had his fifth-year option declined for 2020. In a contract year, he moved to outside linebacker and then burst into the national consciousness with five sacks in a Week 14 win over the Giants. In total, he racked up 7.5 sacks in the Cardinals’ final four regular-season games. There is plenty of evaluation still needed, but at the very least, Reddick is rolling off a big contract season.

31. Patrick Peterson, CB

2020 team: Arizona Cardinals | Age entering 2021 season: 31

You’ll find little disagreement that Peterson has played better in his career than he did in 2020. Pro Football Focus calculated that quarterbacks had a 96.2 passer rating when throwing in his direction. But there are rarely even competent cornerbacks available on the free-agent market. If the Cardinals or Peterson decide to move on, there would be interest by default.

Premium positions cost more, it is just the reality of the NFL, the question becomes do the Cardinals roll the dice on letting them go and replacing them?

What do you do?