Arizona Cardinals continue to make moves in free agency

Return to continued coverage of the Arizona Cardinals during free agency.

The brunt of the heavy lifting in free agency seems to have been done for the Arizona Cardinals and General Manager Monti Ossenfort before it even officially began.

Arizona struck fast on Monday, the first day the negotiating process could begin. By the end of the day, the Cardinals had reportedly agreed to terms with four players from outside the organization on separate three-year deals and re-signed three of their own free agents.

Activity continued Tuesday for the Cardinals, who addressed perceived needs on special teams.

Though new signings don’t become official until Wednesday, the start of the NFL’s new league year, the Cardinals have now addressed a healthy chunk of their offseason priorities by securing a potential No.1 cornerback, two new defensive tackles, and a linebacker who can cover and rush the passer.

More NFL: Arizona Cardinals free agency tracker for Monday

Report: OL Keith Ismael back on one-year deal

The Cardinals, according to NFL Network, are bringing back offensive lineman Keith Ismael after he agreed to a one-year contract to avoid restricted free agency.

Ismael played in 13 games for the Cardinals in 2023, and all snaps were on special teams. He was also a positive presence in the locker room, and has three seasons of NFL experience after being drafted in the fifth round in 2020 by the Washington Commanders.

Ismael has also spent time on the San Francisco 49ers practice squad.

Report: Cardinals add special teams ace

The Cardinals have added to their backfield depth in reportedly agreeing to terms with former Seahawks running back DeeJay Dallas, but they’re actually getting help mostly on special teams.

BleacherReport’s Jordan Schultz was the first to report the news.

Dallas, 25, was a fourth-round pick by the Seahawks out of Miami (FL) in 2020 and served predominantly as a punt and kickoff returner the past four seasons. He’s appeared in 61 career games and has returned 62 kickoff for 1,474 yards (23.8-yard average) and 39 punts for 367 yards (9.6).

He also has 23 tackles on special teams with two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

As a rusher, Dallas has 112 career carries for 468 yards and four touchdowns. He’s also caught 61 passes for 396 yards and one touchdown.

The 5-foot-10, 214-pound Dallas joins a running back group led by James Conner and will compete with Michael Carter and Emari Demercado for touches as a backup.

Leki Fotu agrees to terms with Jets

Defensive tackle Leki Fotu is signing with the Jets, according to multiple reports, and become the first player who finished the 2023 season on the Cardinals’ roster to leave the club as a free agent.

Fotu was a fourth-round pick by the Cardinals in 2020, playing predominantly as a nose tackle, and has 89 tackles, 12 for loss, 3½ sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He started nine games last season, finishing with 28 tackles, five for loss, and 2½ sacks, and missed six games with shoulder and hand injuries.

Fotu’s spot in the Cardinals’ defensive line rotation is expected to be filled by free-agent addition Bilal Nichols, who on Monday agreed to terms with Arizona on a three-year deal.

What the Arizona Cardinals did on free agency Monday

Plugging holes on defense was always the main goal and Ossenfort seemingly has managed to do that without having to make a splash and spending big-time money on name recognition. In cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting, dependable defensive tackles Bilal Nichols and Josh Jones, and versatile linebacker Mack Wilson, the Cardinals added four players who can step in and start away.

They also replenished some depth Monday by bringing back guard Trystan Colon, inside linebacker Krys Barnes, and re-signing punter Blake Gillikin on a two-year deal. This, on the heels of also re-signing defensive end L.J. Collier and tendering an offer to exclusive rights free agent wide receiver Greg Dortch, who posted on social media that he can’t wait to officially sign his deal.

“More motivated than I’ve ever been!! Excited to be back in Arizona again next season!” Dortch wrote on X.

In January, Arizona also announced it had re-signed offensive lineman Carter O’Donnell, who started three games at left guard in 2023, linebacker Jesse Luketa, and had added cornerback Michael Ojemudia to a “futures” contract.

So, what’s next for the Cardinals as they continue to monitor the free agent market and further prepare themselves for the NFL draft, which will be held April 25-27? They have 11 picks at their disposal, including six within the first 90 selections overall, which will allow them to find some real potential talent.

Here are some moves they still need to make:

Find another offensive tackle:

With veteran left tackle D.J. Humphries likely to miss a healthy chunk of the 2024 season after suffering a torn ACL during a Week 17 win at Philadelphia, the Cardinals must find some tackle help somewhere. They have two quality starters they can rely on in veteran Kelvin Beachum and Paris Johnson Jr., who shined last season as a rookie and started all 17 games at right tackle.

At the very least, however, Arizona needs to add some tackle depth. The team also could be eyeing a possible new starter to pair with Johnson, whether he stays on the right side or slides over to left tackle.

Improve the situation at wide receiver:

Marquise “Hollywood” Brown is an impending unrestricted free agent and there’s still a chance the Cardinals could bring him back, likely on a one-year deal. He’s expected to test the market, though, where he likely will get a bigger payday and longer contract.

Yes, the Cardinals can immediately upgrade the position by drafting former Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth overall pick. He’d become their instant No.1 wideout. Second-year pro Michael Wilson sets up as the other starter on the outside. Options at slot receiver include Dortch and Rondale Moore, although Arizona could still add another wide receiver via free agency and/or the draft.

Identify a valuable backup quarterback:

Some of the better candidates have already quickly hooked up with other teams, according to reports. They include Jacoby Brissett going to the Patriots Tyrod Taylor to the Jets, Jameis Winston to the Browns, Marcus Mariota to the Commanders, and Sam Darnold to the Vikings.

At present, the Cardinals only have Clayton Tune under contract behind starter Kyler Murray. Other veterans still available in free agency include Ryan Tannehill (Titans), Joe Flacco (Browns) and Carson Wentz (Rams).

Additionally, the Cardinals will look to add more help at guard, tight end and defensive back.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona Cardinals have done well in free agency, but more moves await