General manager Steve Keim has always maintained the Arizona Cardinals will be in the business of improving the team any any point in time. He’s proven that by making a trade in the last three seasons at the in-season deadline. Those three all turned out pretty well in Kenyan Drake, Markus Golden and Zach Ertz.
There are still a few remaining free agents of note who will likely be looking to join a team in the coming days, as the regular season is just under a week away.
Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar made a list of the league’s top remaining free agents as we enter Week 1. Let’s take a look at which of those could be matches for the Cardinals.
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WR Odell Beckham Jr.
Prior to the acquisition of Hollywood Brown, Beckham would have made a ton of sense for the Cardinals. He is coming off a torn ACL suffered in last February’s Super Bowl, so he isn’t likely to join a new team until the season is underway.
Pending DeAndre Hopkins’ return from suspension and the development of Rondale Moore, it’s possible the Cardinals could look to add a mid-season boost to the WR room, similar to the Rams last season with Beckham.
Right now, with his injury, it doesn’t make a ton of sense but could down the line.
Verdict: Doesn’t make sense
OT Eric Fisher
Fisher is a veteran standout left tackle who spent last season with the Colts. The Cardinals just extended D.J. Humphries to be their left tackle of the present and future.
The Cards also have ascending talent Josh Jones, who fits best at the left tackle position.
Verdict: Doesn’t make sense
DT Ndamukong Suh
At the age of 35, Suh proved last season he still has gas left in the tank. He’s been one of the best of all time at his position and was instrumental in both the Buccaneers’ and Rams’ playoff runs in the last few seasons.
Suh played for Vance Joseph during his time in Miami. He would give the Cardinals’ interior defensive line a huge boost.
Verdict: Makes a ton of sense
LB Anthony Hitchens
Hitchens is a veteran inside linebacker that was a longtime Kansas City Chief, the Cardinals’ week one opponent.
The team appears set at inside linebacker for now, with second-year Zaven Collins, third-year Isaiah Simmons and Nick Vigil set to man the positions. Perhaps the team could look for some veteran depth when Simmons drops into coverage or is sent on a blitz.
This seems unlikely, but wouldn’t be a major shocker if it did happen.
Verdict: Could make sense
S Landon Collins
Simply put, the Cardinals’ safety room may be their strongest unit overall on the entire team. Led by All-Pro Budda Baker, the team also features Jalen Thompson and now Isaiah Simmons, who figures to see a fair amount of time at safety.
Verdict: Doesn’t make sense
It’s just not a position the Cardinals have any need for. This doesn’t make sense.
WR Will Fuller
It’s somewhat surprising that Fuller remains a free agent this close to the regular season. His days in Houston paired with DeAndre Hopkins were very successful.
Fuller’s one-year tenure in Miami didn’t go to plan, as he missed almost the entire season due to injury. Perhaps the Cardinals could be searching for depth at WR following the injuries to Rondale Moore and Antoine Wesley, but this seems unlikely at this point.
Verdict: Doesn’t make sense
OT Jason Peters
Similar to Eric Fisher, the Cardinals are very set at the left tackle position. It’s arguably the deepest unit they’ve had in many years. Peters does not make sense for the Cardinals.
Verdict: Doesn’t make sense
CB Kevin King
The Cardinals, even after the acquisition of Trayvon Mullen Jr, from the Raiders, are still in need of cornerback help. Projected No. 2 corner Antonio Hamilton was placed on NFI on Thursday after suffering serious burns from a cooking accident.
King would make sense for the Cardinals. He had his ups-and-downs in Green Bay but the team needs help at the position.
Verdict: Makes sense
DT Sheldon Richardson
The Cardinals could use help on the defensive line, as they’ve dealt with injuries at the position over the past two seasons. Having more veterans on the interior is never a bad thing.
Richardson has been solid throughout his career and would make sense for the Cardinals if the price is right. Run defense was arguably the team’s biggest weakness last season, even when they were 10-2.
