The Arizona Cardinals are not in the Super Bowl. But future Cardinals players may be playing in the big game Sunday between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers.
The 49ers and Chiefs play in Super Bowl LVIII and have many players set to become free agents next month.
A few players scheduled to hit free agency on the 49ers would be nice fits for the Cardinals.
Who are they?
DE Chase Young
Young is one of the most talented pass rushers in the league but has not been as productive as he should have been.
He has been pretty good with the 49ers. He had 7.5 sacks this season, tying his career-high set as a rookie when he was Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Young probably could be had on a one- or two-year deal to prove himself and get that big payday. He is only 24 years old.
DT Javon Kinlaw
Kinlaw was drafted to replace DeForest Buckner with the pick the 49ers acquired from trading Buckner to the Colts.
Kinlaw struggled to stay healthy after his rookie season but played in every game this season. He had 3.5 sacks.
He has good pass-rushing juice from the interior and, because of his lack of production through four seasons, could be signed to a shorter deal. He would be a big risk on a big contract. But the Cardinals need players of every caliber for the defensive line. Kinlaw would immediately be the best player in that group.
DT Sebastian Joseph-Day
Joseph-Day is a solidly unspectacular player who is better than any defensive lineman the Cardinals had this past season. He has been a starter his entire career. He gives consistent play.
He was on the Chargers but was released late in the year to cut costs and he signed with the Niners. At 28 years old, he could be signed to a reasonable deal.
S Tashaun Gipson
Should the Cardinals decide to trade Budda Baker, Gipson would be a solid option to develop a new player over one or two seasons. He has been a starter his entire career on some good defenses.
Other intriguing free agents who could fit
- LB Oren Burks (the 49ers’ other LB not named Dre Greenlaw or Fred Warner)
- TE Charlie Woerner (a blocking tight end)
- DE Clelin Ferrell (former first-round pick with some ability to rush the passer)
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