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Arizona Cardinals Free Agency Targets Amid Coaching Changes

Arizona Cardinals Free Agency Targets Amid Coaching Changes: In light of Arizona's new coaches, which free agents could they target?
Arizona Cardinals Free Agency

The Arizona Cardinals free agency targets have undoubtedly changed due to the coaching changes. The team sacked Kliff Kingsbury and Steve Keim at the end of the season, making way for GM Monti Ossenfort and head coach Jonathan Gannon. It marks the dawn of a new era in Arizona. Within a week, Gannon and Ossenfort have assembled a strong supporting cast, including Nick Rallis as defensive coordinator and Drew Petzing as offensive coordinator.

A large part of Arizona’s new project has come down to trust, familiarity and a shared vision. Gannon has been sure to appoint people who he is familiar with. Rallis was the linebackers coach for the Philadelphia Eagles when Gannon was defensive coordinator there. Meanwhile, Petzing and Gannon shared time on the Minnesota Vikings together. Gannon has also appointed Israel Woolfork to be the Cardinals’ new quarterbacks coach. Woolfork worked with Petzing on the Cleveland Browns.

Given the makeup of the coaching staff, expect this tactic to be deployed during free agency too. Gannon will aim to get Ossenfort to sign players who align with Arizona’s new philosophy and tactics. This is not an unfamiliar sight in the NFL, or even in the history of the Cardinals. When Bruce Arians and Steve Keim took over in 2013, players like Yeremiah Bell (who were familiar with Arians) were signed on the roster. Arians also brought players he trusted to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers too, such as Kevin Minter and Deone Bucannon.

Five Arizona Cardinals Free Agency Targets Amid Coaching Changes

1. Jacoby Brissett, Quarterback

Jacoby Brissett is a prime candidate to be a Cardinal this offseason. The Browns quarterback played some of his best football with Petzing in place of the suspended Deshaun Watson. He also has shared time with Ossenfort on the New England Patriots. The 30-year-old is regarded as one of the best backup quarterbacks in the league. In 2022, he threw for 2,607 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions whilst adding 243 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. In 11 games, he went 4-7. With Petzing at the helm, Brissett would join Arizona with good scheme familiarity. And, of course, Philadephia’s famous quarterback sneak tactic may be brought over. Brissett has been heralded as a sneak artist before, making him the perfect candidate for Arizona’s new offense.

Brissett would be the perfect stop-gap option to stand in for Kyler Murray. Murray is rehabilitating from an ACL tear and is set to return during the 2023 season. Should the Cardinals be a basement dweller in 2023, they may opt to keep Murray sidelined longer to allow him to recover. As such, a competent backup is needed. Per Dave Pasch’s podcast, respected backup Colt McCoy is still dealing with various injuries from the season. The 36-year-old stepped up in place of Murray last year but took several beatings. The Cardinals finished the season with Trace McSorley and David Blough. Should McCoy’s injuries worsen, or he decides to retire due to them, the need for Brissett becomes heightened. Even when Murray is back, Arizona could try to keep Brissett for a low price. He could be deployed as the short-yardage quarterback sneak option, given his effectiveness.

2. T.J. Edwards, Linebacker

One of the Eagles underrated stars of last year was T.J. Edwards. The linebacker made a whopping 159 tackles, 10 for loss, and two sacks. Rallis has been praised for the undrafted free agent’s development and he is clearly a player that Gannon and Rallis both trust. Should Arizona move to a 4-3 base package, Edwards would be a great signing. Not only would the 26-year-old be the most experienced linebacker on the team, but he would already have a good understanding of the scheme. He is also a player that has been grown in the culture that Gannon and Ossenfort want to implement.

Given Edwards’ stunning season, he could be an expensive addition. While the Cardinals have the potential to make some cap space, it could be a risky move with Murray’s mega contract starting to kick in. As such, a more under-the-radar option in Kyzir White could be considered. Either way, both Edwards and White are likely on Ossenfort’s radar as we approach free agency.

3. Javon Hargrave, Defensive Tackle

The Eagles have a lot of free agents this year and so Arizona could poach a few of them. Aside from Edwards and White, an intriguing name is Javon Hargrave. The 29-year-old had a career year last year, contributing 11 sacks to Philadelphia’s history-making 70-sack total. Like Edwards, Hargrave would be a great addition in terms of scheme fit and trust for Gannon and Rallis. He also comes at a position of need. The Cardinals best two defensive linemen in 2022 were J.J. Watt and Zach Allen. Watt has retired and Allen is an impending free agent. Getting a talent like Hargrave could be huge.

Hargrave is likely a priority candidate to re-sign for Philadelphia, however. As such, his potential of landing in free agency is limited. Even if he does, the Cardinals will have to pay him a big salary. As an older player, the rebuilding Cardinals may opt for a cheaper or younger player. Thus, Fletcher Cox, another Eagles defensive tackle, could be an option instead. As an older player, Cox will likely be cheaper than Hargrave.

4. James Bradberry, Cornerback

Keeping on the Eagles theme, James Bradberry is another name that has popped up. The reason he is lower on this list is due to the serious interest he would command in free agency. Bradberry had a good year for the Super Bowl-contending Eagles. The former second-round pick notched a PFF grade of 74.1 and caught three of the team’s 17 interceptions.

The Cardinals cornerback room is pretty much depleted. Byron Murphy Jr is a priority re-signing but, outside of Marco Wilson, the team do not have any NFL-caliber boundary corners with Murphy as primarily a slot corner. As such, Bradberry would make a lot of sense. However, the team could opt for other options in free agency or the draft given Bradberry’s expected market value. Given that Ossenfort is drilled in the New England school of thought, the team are unlikely to be willing to give big paychecks to the cornerback position and will instead opt to acquire young, traits-based players.

5. D’Ernest Johnson, Running Back

D’Ernest Johnson is another free agent that has emerged as a fit for Arizona. Having shared time with Petzing in Cleveland, Johnson would be familiar with the kind of offensive scheme that Arizona will magpie from. In 2022, Johnson had a very quiet year due to Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. In 2021, however, he flashed some explosiveness and had 671 total yards and three touchdowns. Given Johnson’s limited role last year, he will likely hit free agency. Hunt is also a free agent and could be an option. However, he would cost much more than Johnson and also has character concerns.

As a cheap, backup running back, Johnson would fit in excellently. He is a smaller running back than James Conner and could provide the one-two punch dynamic that Conner had with Chase Edmonds. As it stands, Conner is the only NFL level running back that Arizona has. Keaontay Ingram, a 2022 late-round selection in the draft, showed promise but needs time still.

 

Main Photo: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Curtis Leung

Curtis Leung

Curtis Leung is a UK-based writer covering the Arizona Cardinals and Baltimore Ravens for LWOS since 2022. He is interested in the NFL, association football, NBA and field hockey but is keen to learn about other sports too.

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