Cardinals offseason primer: Pair of first-rounders, plenty of cash
Arizona Cardinals
2023 record: 4-13
Projected salary cap space: $41.7 million
Offseason storylines: Arizona rates as a reclamation project but proved closer to contending with Kyler Murray at quarterback. The Cardinals have 11 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft before compensatory picks were awarded, including the Nos. 4 and 27 (via Houston) selections.
Team Needs: WR, DE, OL, DT, CB
Need is relative with a roster shaped for a youth movement. Head coach Jonathan Gannon wants line play to be a decided strength on both sides of the ball and the Cardinals are nowhere near dominant up front. A chance to get this generation’s Larry Fitzgerald at No. 4 is an opportunity Murray won’t want them to pass up after TE Trey McBride emerged as a consistent legitimate weapon.
Top free agent: WR Marquise Brown was coveted for big-play flair but delivered only three receptions of 25-plus yards among 51 receptions, suffering a precipitous decline in production after a hot start with three TDs in the first five games. He’s not a No. 1 receiver but could be useful as a complementary target if the Cardinals snag one of the prospects with elite grades — Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State), Malik Nabers (LSU) or Rome Odunze (Washington) — in the draft.
Unrestricted free agents as of March 13:
LS Aaron Brewer
WR *Marquise Brown
DE *L.J. Collier
G/C Trystan Colon
C *Pat Elflein
CB *Rashad Fenton
NT Leki Fotu
P Blake Gillikin
RB *Marlon Mack
CB Bobby Price
TE *Geoff Swaim
LG Elijah Wilkinson
G/C Trystan Colon
DE *Carlos Watkins
ILB *Josh Woods
*-Player ended 2023 on a reserve list.
–Field Level Media
