Category: Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals sign DE J.J. Watt to two-year deal

DE J.J. Watt has signed with the Arizona Cardinals.

Another high-profile former Houston Texans player is heading to the desert. The Arizona Cardinals are signing defensive end J.J. Watt to a two-year deal.

Watt, 31, was released by the Texans earlier this month on Feb. 12. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year had indicated that he planned to take his time with his decision, however, the Cardinals were not recently mentioned as one of his final contenders. Teams that had reportedly been in the mix as of late included the Browns, Bills and Packers.

At essentially the same time as Rapoport’s update, Watt confirmed the news as well. He sent out this post via his social media account on Twitter of him wearing a Cardinals shirt:

Watt, a former first-round pick of the Texans from 2011 joins Houston’s first rounder from 2013, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins with the Cards. Hopkins recently completed his first season in Arizona after the Texans traded him to the Cardinals in March 2020. It’s safe to assume that Hopkins played a part in the recruitment process.

[lawrence-related id=449473,449471,449460,449461]

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Latest show:


Previous shows:


and


Potential free agent target for Cardinals: CB William Jackson

Arizona’s cornerback room may be getting a shakeup this offseason – could they pursue William Jackson should he hit the open market?

In a continued look at free agents the Arizona Cardinals could pursue, today we look at cornerback William Jackson.

It’s probable that Cincinnati, who is trying to build around quarterback Joe Burrow, won’t let a top cornerback like Jackson go. They have more cap space than many other teams, but in that theoretical world, Arizona should absolutely pursue Jackson, even if they find a way to bring back Patrick Peterson.

PFF surmised on a recent podcast that perhaps Jackson would excel in a man-heavy scheme more so than Cincy’s current scheme, which means that Arizona would make a ton of sense. Jackson doesn’t have amazing stats, as he only has three career INTs, but his presence in Cincy’s defensive backfield has been felt.

Arizona does not have a ton of cap space, but cornerback might be one of the most glaring needs, especially if Patrick Peterson departs in free agency. And Jackson would be one of the top, if not the top, CB on the free agent market – not to mention it might allow them to address other needs or take the best player available at pick 16.

And in fact, PFF mentions Jackson as the ideal offseason signing for Arizona. Given the need for agressive man corners for Vance Joseph’s scheme to work, it would make a ton of sense.

What do you think Cardinals fans? Would you like to see Jackson in Cardinal red?

[vertical-gallery id=449466]

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Latest show:


Previous shows:


and


Potential free agent target for Cardinals: DL Shelby Harris

Should Arizona bring the underrated Shelby Harris to the desert and re-unite him with Vance Joseph?

In a continued look at free agents the Arizona Cardinals could look at signing, we look at defensive lineman Shelby Harris.

Harris would make a ton of sense for Arizona, given his history in working with Vance Joseph. Though he’s not likely to be considered a “splash” signing, given Arizona’s lack of defensive line depth, it might be a smart one.

Harris does not seem to offer a ton of upside in the pass rush area, as he had 2.5 sacks this past year and his previous high is six in 2019, but was considered by many Broncos fans to be a pivotal piece of their defensive line, although to some Denver fans, he is a bit of an enigma. He also added 32 combined tackles.

He had an excellent PFF grade this past season with 88.3, meaning he impacted the games far beyond sack totals.

He could wind up being a cheaper option (given the lack of cap space), and could step in right away, already knowing Joseph’s system.

Spotrac estimates he would get around $10M per season and that Arizona would be the best fit actually. He could slide in right away as a starter at DE, alongside Jordan Phillips and perhaps Corey Peters (if re-signed) or Zack Allen.

Harris may not have the upside of a defensive tackle such as Leonard Williams, but he would be a solid addition to the defensive line rotation for Arizona.

What are your thoughts? Should the Cards re-unite Vance Joseph with Harris?

[vertical-gallery id=449487]

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Latest show:


Previous shows:


and


Potential free agent target for Cardinals: DL Leonard Williams

Could Arizona try to make a splash by signing the former top 10 pick to add to their defense?

In a continued look at some free agents the Aruzona Cardinals could pursue, today we look at Leonard Williams, who has been rumored to be linked to the Cardinals in a couple of spots.

Williams had a breakout season this past season with the New York Giants (11.5 sacks) after being a top 10 pick for the other New York team. However, last year was easily his best season.

Williams would offer run support as well as pass rushing chops that the Cards could use on the defensive line, especially if they move on from Corey Peters.

The question could be the cost. Arizona could clear a little cap space to make room for Williams, but Spotrac projects his contract to be slightly above $11M per year.

He would theoretically fit easily into Arizona’s 3-4 defense, having played in a similar system in New York. However, one would have to wonder whether signing Jordan Phillips last season might make Arizona gun shy, as they spent a lot of money ($12M cap hit in 2021) after his breakout season in Buffalo (however, he was injured much of the season).

Williams could theoretically have a higher upside than Phillips, and could add star power to the Cardinals defensive line.

What do you think Cardinals fans? Is Williams worth the risk?

[listicle id=449477]

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Latest show:


Previous shows:


and


Potential free agent target for Cardinals: C Nick Martin

Nick Martin was just recently released from the Texans – could he join ex-teammate DeAndre Hopkins in the desert?

In a continued look at free agents the Arizona Cardinals could look into, we look at Nick Martin, who was recently cut by the Houston Texans.

Drafted in the second round in 2016 and starting at center for Houston since 2017, including every game each of the last three years, Martin should have a market in a league that constantly craves offensive line depth. And he would make sense for the Cards, as Sean Kugler recently mentioned bringing in competition at the center spot to compete with Mason Cole and Lamont Gaillard.

Martin would make a ton of sense, even if he was just brought in for depth (his recent contract with Houston was $11M per year). It might be a mental jump to think Arizona could pursue Martin, who would likely require starter money.

Should Arizona sign him, he would be penciled in as the starter as center, rather than the “competition” that Kugler mentioned. That should probably not keep Arizona from pursuing the veteran, who’s still in his 20s.

He has only been penalized 13 times his entire career, only twice for false starts.

What do you guys think? Could Martin join ex-teammate DeAndre Hopkins in the desert?

[vertical-gallery id=449466]

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Latest show:


Previous shows:


and


Potential free agent target for Cardinals: RB Leonard Fournette

Leonard Fournette had a whirlwind postseason – could he be brought to the desert in free agency?

In a continuing look at some free agents the Arizona Cardinals could pursue, we look at a hot commodity in running back Leonard Fournette.

Obviously, the scenario in which they look at bringing in Fournette means that Kenyan Drake is gone — that he was likely too pricey for Arizona to keep. It seems a bit of a contradiction to suggest they may look at Fournette, as he could cost as much if not more than Drake, but there are a few reasons.

The main reason would be what Fournette could bring to the table that Drake did not — toughness between the tackles. There were a few times throughout the season where Drake needed a yard and struggled. This is where Fournette could excel, and did excel, in the playoffs this year for the Bucs.

There were unfortunately a few times where Arizona needed Drake to gain a yard this year, and he could not. This would seem to be less likely for a bigger back like Fournette.

The other area that perhaps Fournette could have an advantage over Drake is cost. Though Fournette had a great playoff run, he might not be considered a true three-down back, which shouldn’t bother Arizona with Chase Edmonds in tow. (Spotrac calculates Drake’s potential value at $8.3 Million per year and Fournette’s at $8.1 Million)

And perhaps this might work well for the Cards, giving more room to the up-and-coming Edmonds, provided that Fournette would be fine with yet another timeshare.

What do you think? Should Arizona consider signing Fournette and letting Kenyan Drake walk?

[vertical-gallery id=449365]

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Latest show:


Previous shows:


and


Cardinals potential free agent target: OL Joe Thuney

Arizona’s offensive line did fairly well last year, but could they look to upgrade by adding Joe Thuney?

In a continued series looking at potential Arizona Cardinals free agent targets, guard Joe Thuney is next up on the list.

Thuney has been quite solid for the New England Patriots. Just check out these stats per Pro Football Focus. Since 2018, in 2,008 pass-blocking snaps, he has allowed only three sacks.

Thuney is going to cost a bit more than a lot of other free agent offensive lineman, but if Arizona is serious about protecting Kyler Murray, it should be interested in Thuney, despite the underrated play of the offensive line last season.

If signed, Thuney would likely replace Justin Murray at right guard. Based on quarterback Kyler Murray’s recent retweets, he wants protection, and if that is the case, they need to look at Thuney seriously.

It’s not the biggest priority, looking at the Cardinals roster, but what do you think about the Cardinals signing Thuney?

[vertical-gallery id=449320]

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Latest show:


Previous shows:


and


Cardinals potential free agent target: CB Ronald Darby

If Patrick Peterson leaves via free agency, Arizona should look at signing a cornerback – Ronald Darby is one name to keep an eye on.

In a continued look at some free agents that the Arizona Cardinals could look into, we look at cornerback Ronald Darby. He plays a position of extreme need for the Cardinals.

Darby had a good one-year stay in Washington, enough so that they might bring him back. He had 17 pass breakups and played in every game last year.

The last part of that sentence may seem trivial, but for Darby, his injury history is unfortunately long, and that may be to the Cardinals benefit, keeping his price lower on the open market.

Arizona will need to likely take a flier on a cornerback (or a few) this off-season should Patrick Peterson leave via free agency. Darby has the upside of a number one corner and if can stay on the field, he could be an impactful free agent signing for Arizona.

What are your thoughts about taking a chance on Ronald Darby?

[vertical-gallery id=449204]

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Latest show:


Previous shows:


and


Potential free agent target for Cardinals: WR Will Fuller

Could DeAndre Hopkins convince another ex-teammate to join him in the desert?

In a continued look at potential free agents the Arizona Cardinals could pursue, we look at someone who is very familiar to a current Cardinals player — receiver Will Fuller, an ex-teammate of DeAndre Hopkins with the Houston Texans.

It seems very unlikely that Fuller would leave Houston, where he’s option 1A or 1B at worst, to play second fiddle to Hopkins again.

However, one thing that may play in Arizona’s favor — the unrest in Houston.

As more and more comes out regarding DeShaun Watson’s situation, the bleaker it looks in Houston, meaning that Fuller might not want to stay with the rebuilding Texans, especially if Watson is ultimately traded.

Aside from that, it might be a great opportunity for Fuller to excel as a No. 2 receiver, where he could help stretch the field for Kyler Murray, and build on his numbers (53 catches for 879 yards) from last year.  It would certainly help Arizona’s offense take the next step.

Hopkins has already been recruiting one ex-teammate in J.J. Watt. Could he recruit another ex-Texan to join?

[vertical-gallery id=449159]

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Latest show:


Previous shows:


and


Cardinals potential free agent target profile: TE Gerald Everett

The Cardinals haven’t had consistent tight end play in quite some time – might they take a chance on a former Ram?

In a continued look at free agents the Arizona Cardinals could target next month, we look to a young tight end option, Gerald Everett.

Arizona has not had consistent tight end play since. . .well, forever. And unfortunately, they may not be able to find it this off-season.

Why should they look at Everett then? There are not a lot of “move” tight ends with Everett’s upside, given his young age (26) and flashes of play as a Ram.

Everett does seem to have the size to stay on the field more often than either Max Williams or Dan Arnold. His 41 catches for 417 yards, even as the second tight end in Los Angeles Rams’ offense to Tyler Higbee, is about the same (more catches and less yardage) level of production as Arnold last year.

Plus, there is the added benefit of signing a former Rams player to get insight into the mind of Sean McVay right?

Well, maybe that’s a bit much, but it doesn’t seem too much of a stretch to think that Everett can transition between the two offenses without too much work.

There are not a lot of ways for Arizona to upgrade this position, as Kyle Pitts will likely be off the board at pick 16, and outside of Everett, Jared Cook and Hunter Henry in free agency, there are not a lot of options to upgrade the Cards tight end spot.

Spotrac estimates he will earn between $6.6 million and $7.3 million per yer in a new contract.

What are your thoughts about Gerald Everett?

[vertical-gallery id=449268]

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Latest show:


Previous shows:


and