Tag: nfl free agency news

Vikings DE Danielle Hunter could be intriguing trade option for Cardinals

Minnesota DE Danielle Hunter is rumored to be on the move in the coming days. The Cardinals should absolutely be interested.

On the first official day of the new league year, the Arizona Cardinals had to say goodbye to their all-time leader in sacks, Chandler Jones. The four-time Pro Bowler signed a three-year deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, averaging about $17 million per season. The Cardinals were never going to pay that salary.

With the loss of Jones, the Cardinals have a massive hole on defense. While he wasn’t putting up the numbers he typically did, opposing offenses still had to gameplan around him. As the roster stands now, Vance Joseph’s defense is severely lacking in pass rush. How can the Cardinals solve that issue?

Danielle Hunter, currently of the Minnesota Vikings, is the subject of trade talks as he carries a $26 million cap hit this season. He has an $18 million roster bonus coming due this coming Sunday, so there’s certainly a deadline for the Vikings to either move him or restructure his contract.

It’s been a frustrating couple of seasons for Hunter. He has played in just seven games since 2019, missing the entire 2020 season and the second half of last season. Perhaps that’s why he’s potentially on the move, but his talent still warrants a phone call from the Cardinals. Prior to the past two seasons, Hunter has been reliable, playing at least 14 games in each year since 2015. Despite the concerns, Hunter is still just 27 years old and could be a long term answer at the position, similar to the acquisition of Chandler Jones back in 2016.

When he’s healthy, Hunter’s ability is without question. In 2018 and 2019, he registered 14.5 sacks and was selected to the Pro Bowl. In the seven games he played last season, he registered six sacks.

General manager Steve Keim has not shied away from making blockbuster trades at positions of need, particularly for players around the age range of Hunter. DeAndre Hopkins and Chandler Jones were both in their late 20s when they were traded to Arizona. Given the vast need at the position, could we see Keim pull the trigger again?

It certainly doesn’t help the Cardinals’ case that they play in the NFC. The Vikings would certainly prefer to send Hunter out of the conference, as both Minnesota and Arizona have the potential to face one another in the postseason and will face each other in 2022 in the regular season. Keim and company may have to be the highest bidder.

It’s been quiet for the Cardinals so far this offseason, despite their pressing needs at edge rusher and wide receiver. Adding Hunter to pair with J.J. Watt and Markus Golden would give the Cardinals their best pass rush in years.

Projected Trade:

  • The Cardinals receive: DE Danielle Hunter
  • The Vikings receive: 2022 second-round pick
  • The Cardinals restructure Hunter’s contract to reduce what would be a $19.4 million cap hit in 2022.

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Remaining free agent pass rusher fits and potential targets for the Cardinals

With the Cardinals likely set to lose All-Pro edge rusher Chandler Jones, who else could the Cards turn to for help?

As of Tuesday night, the second day of the NFL’s official negotiation window has passed and the Arizona Cardinals have yet to add a player from outside their organization.

One of their most pressing needs is edge rusher. They currently have Markus Golden and Devon Kennard on the roster and they re-signed Dennis Gardeck to a three-year deal, but the potential loss of Chandler Jones leaves a hole that was filled for six years by the former All-Pro.

Who could the Cardinals turn to for help? Below are some of the best fits and potential targets still on the market.

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Cardinals could reunite with Ravens DL Calais Campbell

Could the Cardinals re-unite with one of their former icons in Calais Campbell?

There is one player remaining in the NFL from the Arizona Cardinals’ incredible Super Bowl run during the 2008 season, which feels like an eternity ago.

Calais Campbell, a rookie for that team led by Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald, announced he will be returning for his 15th NFL season. He is set to be an unrestricted free agent.

Campbell was with the Cardinals until 2017, where he was not re-signed in free agency and went to Jacksonville, where he helped create the iconic ‘Sacksonville’ defense. He has since become a favorite amongst the Baltimore Ravens, his team the past two seasons.

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta has spoke highly of Campbell, but with only a few days to go until free agents can negotiate with other teams, the Cardinals will likely be able to make their pitch.

The Cardinals have signed aging defensive lineman and pass rushers before. They did so with Dwight Freeney and Terrell Suggs, both of which were within a year of retirement. Campbell would be a fantastic addition for the locker room, run defense and for public relations. The fans in Glendale always loved Calais.

Two years ago, Campbell signed a two-year, $25 million dollar deal with the Ravens. It would be surprising if he inked the same annual salary this offseason, but his continued high-level play will net him a nice payday.

Rush defense, particularly during the second half of the season, was a crutch for the Cardinals. While Campbell certainly wouldn’t be a long-term solution, he is still a valuable rotational player and is worth double that as a leader.

In his career, Campbell has never played less than 12 games. He has steadily been available for each of his three teams, something the Cardinals would greatly benefit from. When healthy, however, a fully-loaded interior front would feature Campbell, J.J. Watt and Zach Allen. Perhaps the Cardinals would consider adding to that list in the first round of the draft. Keim has long sought his long-term answer at defensive tackle (most recently Derrick Brown in 2020) and having Campbell aboard would do wonders for a rookie.

Campbell is still a good player. He’s beloved by the community. He never wanted to leave the team in 2017, and would fit the model of a leader of men that the front office sought last offseason. What’s not to like?

The Cardinals should absolutely give Campbell a call.

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Potential landing spots for former Georgia DT Geno Atkins in NFL free agency

Former Georgia defensive tackle Geno Atkins is looking for a new home after the Cincinnati Bengals waived the 11-year veteran on Friday.

The Cincinnati Bengals released former Georgia football defensive tackle Geno Atkins on Friday. Atkins spent 11 years with the Bengals and will be regarded as one of the best players in franchise history.

Atkins helped change the way interior defensive lineman rushed the passer. He has posted 76 sacks since 2010 and according to Pro Football Focus, leads the NFL in quarterback pressures among defensive tackles since 2010.

 

Atkins also made three first team All-Pros, made eight Pro Bowls, and was named to the 2010s All-Decade Team.

Now, the 32 year old is on the free agent market for the first time in his career. Where will he land?

Here are three possible destinations for the former Dawg.

Grading the 2021 NFL free agency signings, Part 2

The NFL free agency grades continue, as Doug Farrar and Mark Schofield post marks for every transaction.

Once Mark Schofield and Doug Farrar graded the first wave of free-agency signings and re-signings in the legal tampering phase of the process, it became time to roll that over into a second list. So, here’s Part 1 of the grading epic…

Grading the 2021 NFL free agency signings

…and Part 2, in the interest of the best reader experience possible, starts here. Stay tuned to Touchdown Wire through the start of the 2021 league year, which begins at 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 17.