The Arizona Cardinals are an interesting team heading into the offseason. Their defense is very strong. Their running game is strong. Yet their passing attack leaves some people guessing. How can they fix that? Is the answer in free agency? Here are some FA targets that might be the answer.
Brian Quick – WR
Quick is a guy that could come in and be a solid number 2 or 3 WR. He is a 27-year-old guy that is more of a role player. He averaged 14 yards per catch in 2016 and that was with a QB rotation. Just think of what this guy could do with an NFL caliber QB? The Arizona Cardinals are going to need to get more weapons to assist Larry Fitzgerald. Quick should come on the cheap and is ideal.
Mychal Rivera – TE
The former TE for Oakland Raiders was underutilized, in my opinion. He had several strong games but could never but a season together. The Arizona Cardinals need a TE who can block and catch. Rivera fits that mold. In 2016, the 26-year-old had 192 yards and 1 TD. Though his stats are not impressive, he comes very cap friendly.
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Jabaal Sheard – DE
With the impending loss of free agent Calais Campbell, the Arizona Cardinals will need defense. While I know they have Robert Nkemdiche, he is more of an inside guy. Sheard can work with Chandler Jones on creating QB havoc. If the Cards can find a way to pull this off they just may be back in the NFC West.
Larry Warford – G
The Arizona Cardinals are cap strapped. They are a rough $20 million under the 2017 cap. Most of all, that is going to make it hard to sign big names. Hence the reason they target Warford. Warford, the former Lion, is only 25-years-old. He played in all 16 games in 2016. He would bring immediate stability to protecting Carson Palmer.
The Arizona Cardinals may not have much room for free agents. They will have to bring in key role players on the cheap. The biggest name above is probably Jabaal Sheard. If they are capable of working the cap the right way the Cardinals should be back in 2017.