The Cardinals cannonballed into free agency, signing J.J. Watt to a two-year deal. The work isn't done, as GM Steve Keim must fill other holes on the roster this offseason. The new league year begins on Wednesday, March 17, with the legal tampering period opening on Monday, March 15. We will break down each position group as free agency draws near.
Free agent primer: Defensive Line
Cap hit of players under contract for 2021 (via OverTheCap.com): Jordan Phillips ($12 million); J.J. Watt ($4.9 million); Zach Allen ($1.17 million); Leki Fotu ($973,368); Rashard Lawrence ($951,021); David Parry ($920,000); Michael Dogbe ($850,00).
Scheduled free agents: Corey Peters; Angelo Blackson; Domata Peko Sr..
Need: Low
The NFL free agency period starts on March 17. Visit our free agent tracker page to follow all the movement.
Analysis: The Cardinals already addressed this position group in free agency, and in a monster way, by signing Watt. He will headline the group, and the team is hoping for a bounceback from Jordan Phillips, who was plagued by injuries in 2020. Both are capable of getting consistent interior pressure, which is something the Cardinals have lacked since the departure of Calais Campbell.
Zach Allen, Leki Fotu and Rashard Lawrence are also expected to have roles, so the Cardinals are in pretty good shape on the line.
Run-stuffer extraordinaire Corey Peters, who has been a mainstay with the team since 2015, is an impending free agent. The 32-year-old suffered a season-ending knee injury in November, and it's unclear when he will be fully healthy, but he has always been a good fit within the organization.
Angelo Blackson is a looming free agent after having some nice moments with the team in 2020, while late-season addition Domata Peko is also scheduled to hit the market.
The Cardinals did their heavy lifting at this position with the acquisition of Watt, so any additions will likely be depth pieces.
Notable past free agent defensive line signings: Phillips (2020); Darius Philon (2019); Peters (2015); Cory Redding (2015); Frostee Rucker (2013); Bryan Robinson (2008); Kendrick Clancy (2006); Chike Okeafor (2005); Bertand Berry (2004); Clyde Simmons (1994).
Images of some of the top defensive linemen poised to hit the open market
DE Jurrell Casey
DL Leonard Williams
DT Kawann Short
DT Jaleel Johnson
DL Ezekiel Ansah
DL Solomon Thomas
DT Abry Jones
DL Shelby Harris
DL Roy Robertson-Harris
DL Jack Crawford
DL John Jenkins
DL Johnathan Hankins
DL Ndamukong Suh
DL Mike Pennel
DL DaQuan Jones
DT Brent Urban
DT Larry Ogunjobi
DT Rakeem Nunez-Roches
DL Steve McLendon
DL Dalvin Tomlinson
DT Christian Covington
DL Xavier Williams
DL Sheldon Rankins
DL Lawrence Guy
DL Adam Butler
DL Derek Wolfe
DL Henry Anderson
