The Arizona Cardinals entered free agency with money to spend and a roster with more holes than a strainer. In the first week of free agency, the Cardinals have been aggressive, adding big-name players to their ranks, especially on the defensive side of the ball. As the rush of free agency begins to fade, it’s time to look forward to how the Arizona Cardinals moves might affect their strategy in the upcoming NFL Draft.
How the Arizona Cardinals Free Agency Shakes up the NFL Draft
Arizona Cardinals Free Agent Signings
Arizona hit the ground running in free agency, addressing weak points in their roster with aggressive signings. First, Arizona secured one of the top pass rushers on the market in Josh Sweat. Sweat made a name for himself in the Philadelphia Eagles playoff run, sacking Patrick Mahomes three times in the Super Bowl. The Cardinals inked Sweat to a four-year, $76 million deal with $41 million guaranteed. Arizona has lacked a premier pass rusher for years. Zaven Collins led the team in sacks last season with just five. No Cardinals player has eclipsed the ten-sack mark since J.J. Watt did it in 2022. Now, they have a dangerous force on the edge who is just entering his prime.
While Josh Sweat has been the Arizona Cardinals only blockbuster signing in free agency, they have made other moves to fill out the roster. Former Browns defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson signed a two-year, $29 million contract with Arizona, effectively replacing the Detroit-bound Roy Lopez. An eight-year veteran, Tomlinson will be a quality fixture in the Cardinals defensive front.
Along with their signings on the defensive line, Arizona made low-cost moves to add depth to their roster. The Cardinals signed Jacoby Brissett to a two-year deal to back up Kyler Murray at quarterback. Linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither is joining the ranks as well, signing a two-year deal worth $10 million.
Arizona Cardinals Draft Needs
Heading into free agency, the Arizona Cardinals were in desperate need of help on the defensive line. However, after signing Josh Sweat and Dalvin Tomlinson, Arizona may be freed up to target other positions in the NFL Draft. On offense, the Cardinals could stand to add talent up front. While pieces like Jonah Williams, Evan Brown, and Isaiah Adams have been passable in their play, Cardinals fans would welcome upgrades at those positions. The 2025 NFL Draft class is loaded with versatile offensive linemen who could play either tackle or guard. Arizona may look to take one of these players with their first-round pick.
While the defensive line may be fixed, the Cardinals still need help in the secondary. Sean Murphy-Bunting, Garrett Williams, and Max Melton have all been solid contributors for this defense. However, Arizona lacks a true shutdown presence on the back end. Jonathan Gannon has been forced to employ unconventional coverage schemes due to the lack of one-on-one ability in his defense.
The Cardinals could look to address that issue in this year’s draft. In the middle of the first round, defensive stars like Will Johnson and Jahdae Barron could be available. By targeting the defensive secondary in the draft, Arizona could create the most balanced roster they’ve had in years.
Main Image: Mark J. Rebilas – USA Today Sports
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