With the season coming to a close, azcardinals.com writer Darren Urban gives his personal take on the majority of the Cardinals' roster heading into the offseason. UFA is unrestricted free agent. RFA is restricted free agent (and whose movement can be controlled with a tender offer, which gives right of first refusal). ER is exclusive rights, meaning a player must accept a tender offer.
Free agency figures to play a big role in how the roster evolves for next season, given all the free-agents-to-be. Comments are for today and the future for any particular player could be fluid.
Curating a roster for the new head coach -- whoever that might be -- will obviously have a significant impact.
| Quarterbacks | Signed Through | Comment |
|---|
| Matt Barkley | UFA | Signed as an extra arm, unlikely to return |
| Blaine Gabbert | UFA | Possible piece but one that is fully dependent on who the coach is and what he might want |
| Carson Palmer | Retired | Not a surprise he decided to wrap things up, and likely would've even if Arians had remained |
| Drew Stanton | UFA | With Arians' departure, the Cardinals may move on |
| Running backs | Signed Through | Comment |
|---|
| D.J. Foster | 2018 | Showed value as third-down back although Logan's return might deny him playing time |
| Bronson Hill | 2018 | Figures to keep a roster spot for now, depending on offseason additions |
| David Johnson | 2018 | Oh, what could have been. Still the biggest part of the offense for next season |
| T.J. Logan | 2020 | Looked like he might be return guy the Cards need, which will be target for coming season |
| Elijhaa Penny | ER | Helpful as a short-yardage banger inside |
| Adrian Peterson | 2018 | Big offseason question: Can you keep older backup (at $3.5M) who doesn't play special teams? |
| Kerwynn Williams | UFA | When he plays, he produces, and fits well in locker room. Would think Cardinals would want to keep |
| Wide receivers | Signed Through | Comment |
|---|
| Jaron Brown | UFA | As a deeper option and a special-teams guy, Cardinals could use him back |
| John Brown | UFA | Another big question. Do you want bring back -- on a cheaper deal -- and see if he can stay healthy? |
| Larry Fitzgerald | 2018 | Still a star. So, Larry, are you playing in 2018 or what? |
| Brittan Golden | UFA | Helpful on special teams, but might be a spot that doesn't survive coaching change |
| J.J. Nelson | 2018 | Was trending up, and then struggled mightily with consistency |
| Chad Williams | 2020 | Didn't show much, so the third-round pick goes into an important offseason this year |
| Tight ends | Signed Through | Comment |
|---|
| Jermaine Gresham | 2020 | Too many penalties but the Cards like his emotion. Will have to come back from a torn Achilles |
| Gabe Holmes | 2018 | Came in so late, hard to know exactly what you've got |
| Ifeanyi Momah | RFA | Injuries have derailed two straight years |
| Troy Niklas | UFA | Finally was (mostly) healthy, but after four years, do Cards look to move on? |
| Ricky Seals-Jones | 2018 | Impressed as an undrafted rookie once he got a chance |
| Offensive linemen | Signed Through | Comment |
|---|
| Khalif Barnes (T) | UFA | He got an extra month in the NFL he wasn't expecting |
| Evan Boehm (G) | 2019 | Still has work to do as a guard. Could he get a look at center, his natural position? |
| Alex Boone (G) | UFA | Was a fortunate signing, but the Cards will consider options at the position |
| Will Holden (T) | 2020 | Got some rookie playing time and did OK for early work |
| D.J. Humphries (T) | 2018 | Is turning into a solid left tackle, so he just needs to stay healthy |
| Mike Iupati (G) | 2019 | Will be interesting to see if Cards give it another shot or just move on |
| Daniel Munyer (C) | ER | They liked his potential, which is why he stuck around |
| Vinston Painter (T) | RFA | Down this deep on depth chart, the Cards might try new possibility |
| A.Q. Shipley (C) | 2018 | Played every offensive snap -- solidly -- as one of the few guys who managed to play all season |
| Max Tuerk (C) | 2018 | Might try to take an offseason to look at what they have |
| Earl Watford (G) | UFA | Cards were fortunate they were able to find him off the street and plug him in the lineup |
| John Wetzel (T) | ER | Wasn't expecting to start almost all season, but he was forced to |
| Jared Veldheer (T) | 2018 | Minor surprise that he said he wants to play for sure in 2018, but Cards need to decide what they want at tackle |
| Defensive linemen | Signed Through | Comment |
|---|
| Rodney Gunter | 2018 | Some flashes, but Cards are still waiting for a breakout |
| Josh Mauro | 2018 | Like the year previous, was a steady piece |
| Robert Nkemdiche | 2019 | Dealt with some injuries, still not performing like they need a No. 1 pick to perform |
| Corey Peters | 2020 | Got a deserved extension, continues to anchor middle |
| Olsen Pierre | ER | Proved to be an excellent find and that Cards were right to "redshirt" him in 2016 |
| Frostee Rucker | UFA | Solid on field, and a leader in the locker room. Almost 35, so Cards have to decide if they'd like back |
| Xavier Williams | RFA | Still seems to be the odd man out when everyone is healthy |
| Linebackers | Signed Through | Comment |
|---|
| Bryson Albright (OLB) | 2018 | Was helpful after all the injuries, especially on special teams |
| Deone Bucannon (ILB) | 2018 | Finally was looking like the old Buc late as he came back from ankle problems |
| Josh Bynes (ILB) | UFA | An excellent under-the-radar camp signing, and the Cards should want him back |
| Karlos Dansby (ILB) | UFA | Reached the 40-20 club and wants to play, but Cardinals may want to get younger |
| Markus Golden (OLB) | 2018 | Promises he'll come back strong after tearing ACL |
| Chandler Jones (OLB) | 2021 | A team-record 17 sacks and one of the best defensive players in league |
| Gabe Martin (ILB) | 2018 | Cut, went to Saints, came back and now will probably get another shot to stick |
| Kareem Martin (OLB) | UFA | In a similar position as Alex Okafor the year before -- will he find a lucrative contract on market? |
| Haason Reddick (ILB) | 2020 | Top pick spent rookie season split between inside and outside. Future looks likely inside |
| Edmond Robinson (ILB) | 2018 | Late signing has some experience and fits at end of roster |
| Scooby Wright (ILB) | 2018 | Was able to do some things on special teams and that'd be his likely role going forward |
| Cornerbacks | Signed Through | Comment |
|---|
| Justin Bethel | UFA | Had another shot at CB and it didn't work. Expected to get fresh start elsewhere |
| C.J. Goodwin | ER | Late-season waiver claim will have a chance to prove himself this offseason |
| Patrick Peterson | 2020 | Again proved he was one of the best in the game |
| Brandon Williams | 2019 | Had big chance to get into lineup. Never came close, so crucial offseason awaits |
| Tramon Williams | UFA | Veteran rescued defense midway through season, and made himself candidate to return |
| Ronald Zamort | 2018 | Camp ACL tear cost him a chance to make roster inroads |
| Safeties | Signed Through | Comment |
|---|
| Budda Baker | 2020 | Showed he was well worth trading up for in second round |
| Antoine Bethea | 2019 | Had career-high 5 interceptions and was a steadying influence in secondary |
| Tyvon Branch | UFA | Was excellent before his knee injury, complicating consideration about bringing back |
| Rudy Ford | 2020 | Showed some speed and flashed on special teams before getting hurt |
| Tyrann Mathieu | 2021 | Led NFL in snaps played and is healthy as he continues comeback |
| Harlan Miller | 2018 | Remains the break-glass-in-case-of-emergency secondary piece |
| Specialists | Signed Through | Comment |
|---|
| Aaron Brewer | UFA | Solid after coming off IR, but Cards have to decide if they want different option |
| Phil Dawson | 2018 | Missed eight field goals, but finished incredibly strong. Paying a premium if they keep |
| Andy Lee | 2018 | Closed so strong it's hard not to see him being the punter in 2018 |
