Arizona Cardinals: 3 Free Agent Fits Still Available

Training camp might have already started, but there is still plenty of time to add more talent to the Arizona Cardinals roster

The Arizona Cardinals opened up training camp on July 26 and welcomed back a team that is still smarting from an embarrassing Wildcard round loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The offseason had its own share of drama and headlines that started with Kyler Murray’s contentious contract negotiations and the news that Rodney Hudson would be retiring. Luckily, both of these issues have been resolved and Murray is now the second-highest paid QB in the league and Hudson is back to solidify the line that has to protect the now even more valuable field general.

There have not been any major holdouts in training camp and it mostly seems like the team is on schedule to start the season as whole as they can be, although they will be missing DeAndre Hopkins for the first six weeks of the campaign.

In 2021, this team went 11-6 which was their best record since the 2015 season. That team started the season at 7-0 and was even 10-2 at one point but fell off in the second half. There are some major changes to the 2022 roster with some of the key ’21 pieces gone in free agency. The Cardinals no longer have WR Christian Kirk, who signed a surprisingly massive deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and franchise sack leader Chandler Jones who is now a Las Vegas Raider.

GM Steve Keim started the offseason with noticeable silence as other teams but in huge bids for marquee players like Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill who are both now with new teams. Keim instead focused on re-signing his own guys and Zach Ertz, Maxx Williams, James Conner, and Colt McCoy are all back. Arguably, the biggest outside addition so far has been the signing of OG Will Hernandez, formerly of the New York Giants, who will hopefully plug in well at right guard.

After bringing back some key pieces on offense, there still seem to be some major holes on defense that Keim has yet to seriously address in free agency or through trades. The first that comes to mind is cornerback. Yes, the team has signed former Packers 2nd round pick, Josh Jackson, but that is low-risk, medium-reward signing that does not fully address the need.

The Cardinals were noticeably weak against the run in 2021 and, confusingly, the team has done little to address the defensive line. Kingsley Keke was added but that does not really address the deficiency at nose tackle that impacted the run game so negatively.

Fear not, however! Even in August, there are still quality free agents available that Keim can target to improve his roster going into the 2022 season. Let’s take a quick look at three of them.

1. Joe Haden, CB

A popular name on fans’ wishlists, Joe Haden still has something left in the tank that could help out the Arizona Cardinals in 2022.

A first-round pick from 2010, Haden spent seven seasons in Cleveland before leaving for Pittsburgh where has spent the last five years. Haden has never been at the top of the cornerback rankings, but his solid play through the years has earned him three Pro Bowl selections and an All-Pro Second Team selection in 2013.

The 33-year-old corner is absolutely on the downswing of his career as would be expected with his age. But he brings experience on the outside that could be invaluable for the Arizona Cardinals.

It has been remarked on several times that Byron Murphy Jr. is designed to play in the slot. That is where he thrives. Unfortunately, his career has not often allowed him to focus on that area of the field. Second-year player Marco Wilson will most likely be leaned on to produce on the outside, but that leaves a gaping hole on the other side of the field.

Last season, Haden played 84.6% of his defensive snaps covering an outside wide receiver. Those numbers are fairly consistent throughout his career. His bread and butter is in that part of the field and his experience would not only help Wilson develop as a young defensive back, but allow Murphy Jr. to play in his most comfortable position.

2. Linval Joseph, DT

I have been beating this drum all offseason. The Arizona Cardinals desperately need a big body to take up the center of the defensive line and put a stop to opponent’s running games.

At 6-foot-4 and 329 pounds, Linval Joseph fits the bill. Sure, his size is one part of it but he has shown throughout his career that one of his great strengths is stopping the run. From 2015-2018 he was one of the best in the league at that specific task and, while his numbers and production have slowly inched down as he grows older, Joseph is still a menacing threat to running backs.

In the 3-4 base defense that Vance Joseph runs, Zach Allen and J.J. Watt will most often take the outside. In 2021, a rotation of Corey Peters, Rashard Lawrence, and Leki Fotu took turns at the nose tackle position. None of them proved up to the task of stopping opposing running backs like Dalvin Cook who destroyed the defensive line for 131 yards in Week 2 and 137 yards to the tandem of Aaron Jones-AJ Dillon in Week 8.

It is undeniable that Joseph has taken a step back when compared to his “prime years”, but the flashes of elite play he exhibited last season with the Chargers should make him an intriguing target for Steve Keim.

3. Takk McKinley, EDGE

The only one on this list that the Arizona Cardinals have openly expressed interest in, Takk McKinley was scheduled to work out with the team this week.

McKinley is a five-year veteran of the league who has spent time with the Atlanta Falcons and Cleveland Browns after being taken in the first round of the 2017 draft between Jabrill Peppers and Tre’Davious White.

His best season was arguably 2018 when he had 8 sacks, 8 QB hits, 50 tackles, and 12 tackles for loss with the Falcons.

He has never been a world-beater, but McKinley would bring some valuable experience to a pass rusher group that is looking thin in that department. After Chandler Jones left in free agency, the Cardinals have been left with Markus Golden as the No. 1 option to get to the quarterback. Behind him, there is Devon Kennard, Dennis Gardeck, and the pair of rookies, Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders.

It is possible that one or both of the rookies step up and shine, but that is far from guaranteed. Kennard has been strong against the run but struggled in pass rush and Gardeck is notably streaky.

McKinley wouldn’t be a true answer to the question at this position, but he would provide some veteran competition for Kennard and Gardeck as well as push the rookies to excel and increase their own playing time.