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The 2021 offseason was always a big one for the Arizona Cardinals' core:
-Chandler Jones 1 year left on deal turning 31 needing an extension
-Pat P a free agent also at age 30
-Larry Fitz almost certainly either retiring or entering final season
-Last guaranteed yr of DJ deal.
-Chandler Jones 1 year left on deal turning 31 needing an extension
-Pat P a free agent also at age 30
-Larry Fitz almost certainly either retiring or entering final season
-Last guaranteed yr of DJ deal.
...Granted the 4th one of those ended up being not only resolved sooner than usual but he declined sooner than anyone expected as well.
Throw in the Alford contract in 2019 and while he was signed for 3 years it was effectively a 2 year deal-meaning 1 starting CB under contract.
Throw in the Alford contract in 2019 and while he was signed for 3 years it was effectively a 2 year deal-meaning 1 starting CB under contract.
All that means is that if Arizona's going to continue building, need to be able to hit on the right picks and players to flesh out a "complete" team. They've done a decent job from 2018-2020 w/ these positions:
-QB
-RB
-Tackle/Center
-Safety
-Linebacker (if Simmons hits)
-#1 WR
-QB
-RB
-Tackle/Center
-Safety
-Linebacker (if Simmons hits)
-#1 WR
So what's left?
-Pass rusher opposite Chandler
-Cornerback (if Byron hits, will need either a 1 or 2, depending)
-DL
-@ least one more boost to the OL, probably at RG, but also need Josh Jones or Justin Murray to be a "hit".
-One more explosive weapon on offense.
That's...a lot.
-Pass rusher opposite Chandler
-Cornerback (if Byron hits, will need either a 1 or 2, depending)
-DL
-@ least one more boost to the OL, probably at RG, but also need Josh Jones or Justin Murray to be a "hit".
-One more explosive weapon on offense.
That's...a lot.
What the best case scenario is for AZ--they hit on a draft pick and Phillips is "that guy" on the DL this season and Kirk/Isabella blossom into solid options where the team doesn't need Fitzgerald to come back.
Then you can address the remaining 3 positions pretty easily enough.
Then you can address the remaining 3 positions pretty easily enough.
-Pass Rusher across from Chandler: trade or 1st rounder
-Cornerback: Tag P2 (might not be able to pay him and Chandler long-term), FA, or 1st or 2nd round pick depending on Byron and others
-OG free agency more likely (hard to see a immediate impact starter as a rookie
-WR: Hmmm
-Cornerback: Tag P2 (might not be able to pay him and Chandler long-term), FA, or 1st or 2nd round pick depending on Byron and others
-OG free agency more likely (hard to see a immediate impact starter as a rookie
-WR: Hmmm
What I would aim for (as of 8/20) for the '21 offseason:
-Extend Chandler
-Tag P2 and either keep or trade depending
-Trade a 2nd rounder for a pass rusher from another team
-Draft ya 1st round WR weapon that you can pay after Hopkins' deal is up.
Two-year window there? Hope so.
-Extend Chandler
-Tag P2 and either keep or trade depending
-Trade a 2nd rounder for a pass rusher from another team
-Draft ya 1st round WR weapon that you can pay after Hopkins' deal is up.
Two-year window there? Hope so.
But I'll stand by this--my preference would be to add a big-time weapon for Kyler opposite of Hopkins.
If it's a TE and not a WR, so be it. (Some have mentioned Zach Ertz or even Evan Engram in a trade but one's nearly 30 and other's had health stuff). Kyler=deep thrower.
If it's a TE and not a WR, so be it. (Some have mentioned Zach Ertz or even Evan Engram in a trade but one's nearly 30 and other's had health stuff). Kyler=deep thrower.
