There are still free agents available that the Arizona Cardinals should look at
The beginning of the NFL season was a rough one to say the least for the Arizona Cardinals and it has left many question marks across the team’s roster. The team’s play on the field closely resembled the same performance that was seen during the horrendous first-round playoff exit at the end of last season. It did not look good for many fans who tuned into the game.
But before the game was even played, many fans including myself, felt as if the Cardinals were lacking from a personnel perspective and many fans still feel that way now. The main position group most fans talked about was cornerbacks and how it looks like the Cardinals are thin in the wide receiver room. Rondale Moore, the team’s second-round pick from last year’s draft, injured his hamstring just days before the game, leaving the Cardinals with few proven options who are still healthy.
The personnel decisions from the off-season through game day has been completely perplexing.
— Kyler Burd (@AZCard_BurdsEye) September 11, 2022
Because the Cardinals have not signed or traded for any true answers to fill the gaping holes on their roster, this has left many people scratching their heads wondering what the Cardinals are going to do.
Here are five possible free-agent players that the Cardinals could sign to aid the injury-plagued positions on their roster.
5. Odell Beckham Jr. – Wide Receiver
Now the Cardinals do have a young receiver room but because of injuries and suspensions, this has suddenly left them with few proven options at the receiver position. Odell Beckham Jr. was once a highly touted receiver but due to injury and off-the-field issues, he has not been a highly sought-after free agent.
Last season after a falling out with the Cleveland Browns, he was waived and then went to sign on with the Los Angeles Rams who later that season won the Super Bowl. However, during the Super Bowl, he tore his ACL and has since been rehabbing his injury and has remained unsigned.
Because of the various injuries at the receiver position and lack of healthy veteran experience, the Cardinals could spend a little big money and sign Beckham Jr. to a one or two-year deal. Beckham Jr. will provide more experience to the receiver room and has the potential to keep making big plays. He is only 28 years old and has plenty of football left in him but the Cardinals need to act fast as other teams may poach him if his services are needed elsewhere.
4. Chris Harris Jr. – Cornerback
Chris Harris Jr. was once a well-renowned cornerback in the NFL, but due to his older age and decline in play, his value on the market has decreased. Known for his physical play style off the line of scrimmage and his ability to track down receivers, Harris has the potential to be a solid number two cornerback for the Cardinals.
He was once a Denver Bronco and played on a legendary Broncos defense that won it all in 2016. Harris has also played for Cardinals defensive coordinator, Vance Joseph, when he was head coach for the Broncos in the 2017 and 2018 seasons. Harris is an experienced player with a Super Bowl ring and is already familiar with the Cardinals play-style on defense.
This would likely not cost much for the Cardinals as his services could be purchased on a one-year deal worth the league’s minimum. Although he is 33 years old, this could prove to be a bargain pickup for the Cardinals if Harris captures the same level of play that he boasted a few seasons ago.
3. Xavier Rhodes – Cornerback
Rhodes is another defensive back who used to be a household name with the Minnesota Vikings. Rhodes made a name for himself through his physical play and ability to play in the open field. Rhodes is a ballhawk who primarily plays a press-man type role.
The 32-year-old cornerback played the 2021 season with the Indianapolis Colts and started 13 games for them but declined to bring him back due to his injury history and struggles in coverage last season. However, this should not stop the Cardinals from giving him another opportunity. They should bring him on a similar deal that the Colts signed him to and let Rhodes prove why he was once an elite corner.
2. Janoris Jenkins – Cornerback
Janoris Jenkins, also known as “JackRabbit”, is a cornerback who started 13 games for the Titans in 2021. Jenkins is a jump ball corner who is not afraid to challenge even big-name receivers.
Jenkins is 33 years old and is familiar with a 3-4 defensive system as he played well for the Titans in it last year. But because the Titans decided to go younger at the cornerback position, Jenkins was released shortly after the free agency period began this past March.
Jenkins is another older cornerback but he has proved he still has something left in the tank. The Cardinals could give Jenkins a one or two-year deal and roll the dice. There are not many free agent cornerbacks who possess the same underrated skillset as Jenkins and are still available. Jenkins will be gone sooner rather than later and hopefully, the Cardinals nab him while they still can.
1. Will Fuller V – Wide Reciever
Finally, the last player on this list is wide receiver Will Fuller. Will Fuller is a former first-round pick of the Houston Texans back in 2016.
Fuller has not exactly had a smooth NFL career thus far. At only 28 years old, Fuller has dealt with a flurry of injuries that has limited his time on the field.
Fuller posted career numbers while in Houston during the 2020 season, having 53 catches for 879 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns. The 28 year -old receiver has remained unsigned this offseason after playing last season with the Miami Dolphins.
After serving the last game of his 6 game suspension and suffering a finger injury, Fuller’s time with Dolphins was short-lived after having a setback during rehab on his surgically repaired broken finger that promptly ended his 2021 season.
Assuming Fuller can stay healthy, he has the potential to have a substantial impact on the Cardinals’ offense and become another reliable deep threat for Kyler Murray. Because of his injury history, the Cardinals should sign him to a 1-year deal and see how it pans out. Yes, there is a high risk but the outcome has the potential to be fruitful for the Cardinals.
