Opinion: Prime 2025 Free Agent Targets for Cardinals

Here are the players who might be the Cardinals’ top 5 UFA targets

I just started watching the “Prime Target” thriller-series on Apple TV+ starring Leo Woodall, Quintessa Swindell and Sidse Babett Knudsen. It’s captivating and fascinating!

Applying the “Prime Target” term to the Cardinals’ 2025 off-season, here are 5 UFAs who might be at the top of Monti Ossenfort’s list:

1. Milton Williams, DT, 6-3, 290, 25, Louisiana Tech, R3/21, PHI, 76.5 2024 PFF grade

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

• Cardinals’ connections: Jonathan Gannon, Nick Rallis

• PFF salary projection: 3 yrs/$63M, $37.5M guaranteed — $21m avg/yr
• What might it take? $40M guaranteed.
• Imagine Milton Williams starting opposite Darius Williams in the 34 and side-by-side with him in the Cardinals 4-man pass rush.

2. Zack Baun, MLB, 6-3, 225, 28, Wisconsin, R3/20 (NO), PHI, 90.1

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

• Cardinals’ connection: no direct toes
• Projected Contract: 3 yrs/$40M/$26.5M guaranteed — $13.33m avg/yr
• What might it take? $30M guaranteed.
• Baun fits what the Cardinals need at MIKE to a tee. He’s a good run stuffer who consistently finishes tackles and, perhaps best of all, he is the total package in zone and man pass coverages.

3. Malcolm Koonce, ED, 6-3, 250, 26, Buffalo, R3/21 LV, 81.3 (2023)

• Cardinals’ connection: New OLB coach Matt Feeney
• Missed 2024 season with knee injury.
• Projected Contract: 2 yrs/$37.5M/$20M guaranteed — $18.75m avg/yr
• What might it take? $20M guaranteed.
• Karma? Malcolm Koonce was the player the Raiders drafted in 2021 with the 3rd round pick they received from the Cardinals for C Rodney Hudson.
• Matt Feeney could convince MOJO that the reward on signing Koonce is worth the risk because Koonce’s upside is enormous.

4. Darius Slayton, WR, 6-1, 198, 28, Auburn, R5/19 NYG, 59.0

Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images

Video: Darius Slayton catches deep pass for 40-yard gain | Giants vs. Seahawks Highlights

(Note: Darius Slayton makes a few catches in the Daniel Jones’ video below)

• Cardinals’ connection: no direct ties except if the Cardinals sign QB Daniel Jones
• Slayton with his 4.39 speed, sticky hands and strong body control has led the Giants in receiving for 4 of his 6 seasons with a 15-yard per catch average.
• Projected Contract: 3 yrs/$37.5M/$25M guaranteed — $12.5m avg/yr.
• What might it take? $20M guaranteed.
• Slayton is ideal for what the Cardinals’ need—- a deep threat who can also separate quickly from the slot.

5. Daniel Jones, QB, 6-5, 230, 27, Duke, R1/19 NYG, 72.0

Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images

• Cardinals’ connections: no direct ties.
• Cardinals’ interest in Jones appears to be high.
• What might it take? A contract chock-full of incentives and some assurances that he will be given the chance to compete for the starting job or being given game-day packages.
• Function fitting form: Drew Petzing wants a smashmouth offense and Daniel Jones is a rugged, smashmouth-style QB.
• Video: Daniel Jones’ outstanding comeback performance versus the Cardinals two years ago at State Farm Stadium showcases his strengths:

Danny Dimes leads crazy Giants comeback! (youtube.com)

Common Denominators:

• 25-28 age preference, each heading into their football prime.
• An element of medium risk/potentially high reward —- which realistically the Cardinals are going need to be willing to take, seeing as they are likely going to have to show players the level of enthusiasm and financial investment that they aren’t quite getting from other teams.
• If the Cardinals’ defensive front 7 needs are addressed in free agency, then the Cardinals could pave the way to draft an offensive tackle and offensive guard on Day 1 or Day 2. And perhaps even a QB with one of their first 3-4 picks.