Adding defensive UFAs may be difficult this year
For the defense, the Cardinals making three key outside UFA signings.
34NT
- TBD
Predictions:
- Cards re-sign Roy Lopez
- Cards sign Poonah Ford, 5-11, 310, Texas, 29, LAC, 2024 PFF Grade: 85.3
34DE
- Darius Robinson
- Dante Stills
- Justin Jones
- Bilal Nichols
- Ben Stille (FC)
- P.J. Mustipher (FC)
- Anthony Goodlow (FC)
Predictions:
- Cards re-sign L.J. Collier
- Cards re-sign Naquan Jones
SOLB
- Zaven Collins
- Jesse Luketa
- Elliot Brown (FC)
Prediction: Status Quo —- GMs and coaches really like this group
WOLB
- B.J.. Ojulari
- Xavier Thomas
Predictions:
- Cards sign Josh Sweat, 6-5, 265, Florida St., 27, PHI, 2024 PFF Grade: 71.9
- Cards draft another edge rusher or re-sign Baron Browning
ILB
- Mack Wilson Sr.
- Owen Pappoe
- Vi Jones
- Milo Eifler
Predictions:
- Cards sign Robert Spillane, 6-1, 229, Western Michigan, 29, LV, 2024 PFF Grade: 68.4
- Cards re-sign Krys Barnes
CB
- Sean Murphy-Bunting
- Starling Thomas V
- Garrett Williams
- Max Melton
- Kei’Trel Clark
- Elijah Jones
- Jaden Davis (FC)
- Ekow Boye-Doe (FC)
Prediction: Status Quo —- GMs and coaches really like this group
S
- Budda Baker
- Dadrion Taylor-Demerson
- Joey Blount
- Jammie Robinson
- Darren Hall
Prediction:
- Cards trade or release Jalen Thompson
K
- Chad Ryland
P
- Blake Gillikin
LS
Prediction: Cards re-sign Aaron Brewer
KR
- DeeJay Dallas
PR
- Greg Dortch
The Cardinals 3 key outside UFAs projected salaries per PFF:
ED Josh Sweat, 3 years — $18m avg/yr., $32.5m guaranteed, $54m total
LB Robert Spillane: 3 years — $8m avg/yr, $13m guaranteed, $24m total
NT Poonah Ford: 1 year — $3.5m avg/yr, $1.5m guaranteed, $3.5m total
It may take a little more guaranteed money for the Cardinals to outbid the field on Josh Sweat and it may take signing Poonah Ford to a 2- or 3-year deal, also with more guaranteed money.
I am fine with that. Are you?
With the 6 important outside UFAs the Cardinals have a chance to sign (plus re-signing a few of their own), that would give them the flexibility to take the best player available in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Your thoughts?