Top Free Agent fits for the Arizona Cardinals heading into Day 2 of the NFL Offseason

Day 1 of NFL Free Agency’s “legal tampering” period, aka the time when teams reveal all of these deals that they have probably worked out off the record over the offseason, came and went.

While a few more deals are trickling out, none of them involved the Arizona Cardinals besides tendering a few key of their own free agents and a 2-year deal for Markus Golden.

Who are some picks at different positions for talent that’s out there on Day 2?

Let’s take a look:

Offensive Line:

With no Corey Linsley signing, what’s next for Arizona? It seems that they’ll want to feature a new center, maybe a right tackle...

Alex Mack: He’s 35 but still solid and will be cheap on a 1 year deal

Nick Martin: Going back to the Texans well? I could see it, and he’s only 27.

David Andrews: a starting C for the Pats, but if Belichick didn’t want him, does Arizona?

Austin Reiter: started all 16 games for the Chiefs at center through their super bowl season and 29 years old

Gabe Jackson: old and beat up...but has been a STUD and might seek a 1 year deal

Quarterback:

Tyrod Taylor: The mobile backup has bounced around the league but would be an upgrade over both Chris Streveler and Brett Hundley, and offers a better scrambling option or passing one than either guy.

Ryan Fitzpatrick: FitzMagic seems more likely to retire than keep playing, and while he’s a bit of a YOLO ball or spells “d-o-o-m” for the starter in front of him, it’d be a homecoming back to his native state

Running Back:

Mike Davis: Clearly this is the big name here....

Mike Davis is a guy I’ve liked throughout his career and he had a bit of a revival as a 3 down guy for Carolina. Just watch him vs. the Cardinals from this season. Would be either cheap on a 1 or 2 year deal.

Chris Carson: Stealing from Seattle? Maybe but he’s been pretty injury-prone, even for a running back. But effective when healthy

James Conner: Does Arizona pay a back a lot more? I don’t see it but someone will probably see him as the bellcow that the Steelers did...

Jamaal Williams: The Packers let him walk and he’s similar to Chase Edmonds as a pass catcher but...maybe he winds up being their bigger back?

Kenyon Drake: Perhaps he comes back after all if he doesn’t like his market?

Wide Receiver:

Yeah, a #2 wide receiver needs to be found for this team, not only to upgrade from Christian Kirk but also as he’s entering the final year of his deal...even if you draft one you’ll want a veteran handy.

I don’t see the pricey guys like JuJu, Golladay or even Curtis Samuel or Antonio Brown. Think these guys will be in the tiers:

T.Y. Hilton: the #1 in Indianapolis until this past year, he had a slow 2020 and an injury finished 2019 but finished the season on FIRE. Does his speed and versatility come at too high a cost for the Cards?

Emmanuel Sanders: 32 but still clean routes and productive

Breshaud Perriman: Speed. I am speed (and likely to be cheap, especially if Arizona wants to target a burner with a rookie draft pick)

Sammy Watkins: seems like he’s returning to KC, but maybe a fresh start alongside his former partner in crime Hopkins is something that can return him to the lofty expectations?

Will Fuller IV: Honestly, just do it for the “Cardinals-Texans” jokes (he gets hurt a lot but that speed is legit and he was a #1 this season)

Larry Fitzgerald:

Tight End:

Dan Arnold: Arizona didn’t tender him, so will he be back, or did those drops down the stretch doom his stock?

Hunter Henry: expensive and injury prone but...most tight ends are. The real question is if he even fits in Arizona’s offense at the price he’ll command or if he’s truly more of a receiver

Kyle Rudolph: Kyler to Kyle sounds nice but is he close to the receiver he used to be?

Gerald Everett: Solid player, but will he be value or overpriced?

Defense time starting with Cornerback:

William Jackson III: Still out there and one of the top 2 options on the market. Expensive tho.

Shaquil Griffin: From a rival team and...also expensive.

Patrick Peterson: Is he gone, gone?

Richard Sherman: Actually, this wouldn’t be half bad....right?

Xavier Rhodes: Bounced back with the Colts, but will he want another 1 year deal?

Linebacker:

...IDK some guy on a 1 year Keim Time special deal like usual.

Defensive Line:

Dalvin Tomlinson: Nasty part of the Giants DL, but likely not needed unless the team moves on from Jordan Phillips (they won’t)

Jurell Casey: with Shelby Harris back to Denver, does the other former Vance Joseph DL come to the desert?

DaQuon Jones: an underrated player for sure

Haason Reddick: maybe he comes back, maybe he doesn’t?

Safety:

Chris Banjo: Strumming back to Arizona? Maybe.

Xavier Woods: the corner-turned-safety is out there, despite being on a bad Dallas defense.

Kicker:

Matt Prater: Hey I hear that Chandler Catanzaro is out there....oh

That’s all for now, guess we will see what Arizona does tomorrow!