The Arizona Cardinals Offseason
The Good: Signing AJ Green to a 1yr/6 Million Deal
The Arizona Cardinals made one of the best moves of the offseason by signing A.J. Green to a 1yr prove it deal which in my opinion is a win-win-win situation for all involved. A.J. Green gets to play with an ascending talent in Kyler Murray who has shown an increased level of play in each of his seasons, especially after being gifted DeAndre Hopkins, and A.J. has never played with a quarterback as good as Murray in his career. Green's also never had a receiver like DeAndre Hopkins across from him which lessened coverages against Green and allowed him to flourish in their offense. It's also a 1yr deal which allows A.J. Green to quickly get back into the market and find another deal if he proves successful in their system.
The Bad: Signing Jj Watt to a 2yr/28 Million deal
To be frank, JJ Watt is not done as a player and in all likelihood he will be a very productive player in Arizona, but a 2yr/28 Million deal is a bit steep for a player that has a long history of injuries and noticeable decline in his play. JJ Watt is credited as being one of the most dominant defensive players of the 2010's and put the Houston Texans on his back but that burden clearly took a toll on his body and he has struggled to remain on the field. His signing could impact the ability to get free agents as well as impact Kyler Murray's contract but his signing could be a blessing if he stays healthy.
The Ugly: Letting Haasan reddick Walk
Haasan Reddick proved to be a bust for the Cardinals as a linebacker, but as a pass rusher, he certainly was deserving of another look after putting up 12.5 in 2020 and letting him walk in free agency was foolish. Haason Reddick showed that he can be a potentially dominant edge presence and combining him with him with Chandler Jones and JJ Watt would have given Cardinals a ferocious pass rush that likely would have made them a potential Super Bowl contender.
Offseason Grade (Pre Draft): B
NFL Draft Summary
Day 1 Grade: A-
Selection: Zaven CollinsAfter the Cardinals elected to let go of Hasson Reddick in the offseason Arizona decided to fill the void with a tremendously talented linebacker in Zaven Collins. Collins is a mountain of a man at linebacker that is going to play behind one of the best pass rushing defensive lines in the NFC with J.J. Watt and Chandler Jones. Collins will immediately make an impact as a run stuffing linebacker with his incredible size, athleticism, and instincts and has the potential to develop into a nightmare blitzer up the middle.
Day 2 Grade: A+
Selections: Rondale MooreThe best selection of Day 2 may have been Rondale Moore out of Purdue who in 2019 was the most dangerous receiver in college football with electric playmaking ability and freakish speed and athleticism. He's the best deep threat in the draft and I would be shocked if the Cardinals aren't using him on reverses and returns. If injuries and poor quarterback play didn't hinder his 2020 season, he likely would have been a Day 1 pick.
Day 3 Grade: B
Selections: Marco Wilson, Victor Dimukeje, Tay Gowan, James Wiggins, Michael MenetThe Cardinals did a good job of finding valuable depth picks in Day 3 of the draft. Marco Wilson is a tremendous athlete with good size but inconsistent play and mental lapses cost him in the draft. Victor Dimukeje is a pass rusher that thrives off of overpowering his opponent but significant coaching in his technique to find success. Tay Gowan has good size and production but only has one year of Power 5 play which makes him a very risky selection. James Wiggins would have been a Day 2 pick most likely if not for an ACL injury in 2019 costing him his season and having to knock the rust off in 2020. Michael Menet is a good depth pick and could develop into a quality backup.
Selection: Zaven CollinsAfter the Cardinals elected to let go of Hasson Reddick in the offseason Arizona decided to fill the void with a tremendously talented linebacker in Zaven Collins. Collins is a mountain of a man at linebacker that is going to play behind one of the best pass rushing defensive lines in the NFC with J.J. Watt and Chandler Jones. Collins will immediately make an impact as a run stuffing linebacker with his incredible size, athleticism, and instincts and has the potential to develop into a nightmare blitzer up the middle.
Day 2 Grade: A+
Selections: Rondale MooreThe best selection of Day 2 may have been Rondale Moore out of Purdue who in 2019 was the most dangerous receiver in college football with electric playmaking ability and freakish speed and athleticism. He's the best deep threat in the draft and I would be shocked if the Cardinals aren't using him on reverses and returns. If injuries and poor quarterback play didn't hinder his 2020 season, he likely would have been a Day 1 pick.
Day 3 Grade: B
Selections: Marco Wilson, Victor Dimukeje, Tay Gowan, James Wiggins, Michael MenetThe Cardinals did a good job of finding valuable depth picks in Day 3 of the draft. Marco Wilson is a tremendous athlete with good size but inconsistent play and mental lapses cost him in the draft. Victor Dimukeje is a pass rusher that thrives off of overpowering his opponent but significant coaching in his technique to find success. Tay Gowan has good size and production but only has one year of Power 5 play which makes him a very risky selection. James Wiggins would have been a Day 2 pick most likely if not for an ACL injury in 2019 costing him his season and having to knock the rust off in 2020. Michael Menet is a good depth pick and could develop into a quality backup.
