What moves might the Arizona Cardinals make at DL during free agency
The Arizona Cardinals should be looking to add some depth to the defensive line as free agency nears.
Arizona tried going with a very conservative route when building the defensive line a year ago, taking fliers on some cost-friendly veterans on one-year deals, but mostly relying on even more affordable younger players it hoped could step up and play above expectations.
It worked until it didn’t, as injuries quickly ravaged the unit overall and helped make the run defense a major liability. Look for them to go a different direction this season.
Teams can begin negotiating with players and their representatives on March 11 with the signing period beginning in earnest on March 13.
Today: Defensive line
Friday: Linebackers
Previously: Quarterback/running back; wide receiver/tight end; offensive line
DEFENSIVE LINE
Who’s under contract (with 2024 salary cap hit for each): Defensive tackle Phil Hoskins ($1,055,000), defensive tackle Naquan Jones ($1,055,000), defensive tackle Roy Lopez ($1,055,000), defensive tackle Dante Stills ($948,334).
Who’s set to become a free agent: Defensive end Carlos Watkins, defensive end L.J. Collier, defensive tackle Leki Fotu, defensive end Jonathan Ledbetter (exclusive rights free agent).
Priority level: High
Evaluation: This is one of the Cardinals’ greatest areas of need and General Manager Monti Ossenfort and Co. must address it aggressively and with great measure. Not only does the team not have a single defensive end under contract, but it doesn’t have nearly enough bodies up front overall to fill out even a competent rotation.
The Cardinals ranked last against the run overall (143.2 rushing yards allowed per game) and finished second-to-last in scoring defense (26.8 points per game).
Their 33 sacks, meanwhile, were the third fewest in the league and they only had one sack in their final six games. Defensive linemen finished with just 12 sacks combined.
It wasn’t all the D-line’s fault, of course. The group missed a whopping 45 games to injuries, more than double that of the next-closest position (cornerback, with 18 overall). Collier went on season-ending injured reserve after Week 1, soon to be followed by Watkins after Week 2.
Even as the injuries raged on, head coach Jonathon Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis managed to squeeze the most out of much of what was left. Stills and Ledbetter, specifically, seemed to get better and better and more confident from game to game. Lopez became a reliable fill-in at nose tackle down the stretch.
They played “with the motor and violence that we talk about,” Gannon said of the group overall, adding, “That’s important in my mind to win football games and they took to that because it’s a hard way to play and it’s a hard way to practice. A lot of guys don’t want to do that. Our guys understood the value of it, and they did a good job with it.”
Those that distinguished themselves will be among those who get a chance to show what they can do in 2024, but you can expect to see a slew of new faces the further we get into the offseason. Ossenfort will attack the free agent market and the draft alike to solidify all points along the defensive line, especially at defensive end, where a top-level pass rusher (or two) is paramount.
If the Cardinals make a splash anywhere in free agency, it’s likely to be up front, where there’s a host of uber-talented edge rushers and interior defensive linemen to be had. Keep in mind, a big-name signing could come in the form of a premier edge man who has been operating as an outside linebacker. Using that player primarily as a defensive end could be considered.
Would Arizona make a play for one of the top names set to become available such as Josh Allen of the Jaguars, who exploded for 17½ sacks this past season? How about Danielle Hunter of the Vikings, who finished with 16½? Brian Burns of the Panthers and Chase Young of the 49ers are other options, as are Bryce Huff of the Jets and Jonathan Greenard of the Texans.
The Cardinals could also, or instead, dole out big money on an accomplished defensive tackle. Top catches start with Chris Jones of the Chiefs, who is perhaps the best free agent available overall, followed by Justin Madubuike of the Ravens, D.J. Reader of the Bengals, Sheldon Rankins of the Texans, Leonard Williams of the Seahawks and Maurice Hurst of the Browns.
Notable free agents that could become available (2023 club in parenthesis): Other names include edger rusher Jadeveon Clowney (Ravens), defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw (49ers), defensive end Za’Darius Smith (Browns), edge rusher Josh Uche (Patriots), defensive end Dorance Armstrong (Cowboys), defensive tackle Fletcher Cox (Eagles), defensive end Leonard Floyd (Bills), defensive tackle Grover Stewart (Colts), edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel (Dolphins), defensive end Denico Autry (Titans), defensive tackle Teair Tart (Titans), defensive end Brandon Graham (Eagles), defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (Bills), defensive end A’Shawn Robinson (Giants), defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson (Jets), defensive end Mike Danna (Chiefs), defensive end A.J. Epenesa (Bills).
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Cardinals' free agency series: How things stack up on defensive line
