We have settled into the full draft prep portion of the offseason. Free agency signings will be spotty at this point as the Cardinals and other teams determine who might make sense a month from now when the draft gets underway. So how about a mailbag? (OK, there was gonna be a mailbag regardless.) Questions have been edited for length and clarity. Don't forget to send a question for a future mailbag with at least a first name and last initial.
From Petey O:
"With the departure of Kyzir White, is the expectation that Mack Wilson is the new ILB No. 1? Total bias, I hope so. He's so explosive. I won't go as far to say he has Daryl Washington-type impact, but they're similar in terms of well-rounded skillsets. And yes I will continue using DWash as the benchmark for linebackers until our next great is found."
While at this point I don't expect White back, until he lands elsewhere, I'm gonna go never say never. But as far as Wilson taking over White's role -- which I assume is what you are asking -- that's a wait-and-see for me. I think they have liked what Wilson was doing in the role he had too. If you make him "Kyzir," does that take other stuff away. The way Nick Rallis rolls, my guess is he is going to want to get all his guys on the grass this offseason, see what makes sense (especially for new guys, like Akeem Davis-Gaither) and then determine where everyone goes. I do think Wilson can play that Mike spot, but again, let's see where everyone fits for the best defense overall.
From Michael T:
"You mentioned in your mailbag last week that the big spending in free agency is likely over for the Cards. But we still have $45M in space. Sweat and Tomlinson, despite averaging $19M and $15M for their deals, only count $15M TOTAL against the 2025 cap. In fact, we have less money NEXT year ($35M) than we do this year. Yes, money is needed for a McBride extension, but no more than $15M or so. This leaves $30M left. Some for rookies, some for in-season, but sure feels like there is plenty of money for a one-year deal for a veteran (Amari Cooper, anyone?) or a cornerback (what happened with Asante Samuel?) or really a number of positions that could some help. Seems like a one-year deal especially works with the room left this year and the room already committed next year. Your thoughts?"
Ah, yes, the "your thoughts" kind of question. You know that's not my favorite. But we proceed. Couple things on this. The cap, at this point, is year-to-year. You can do what you want next year because you can find ways to manipulate. Second, any leftover cap from one year can be rolled over, so if they don't use some of it, then next year's space grows by the leftover number plus whatever the cap rises to. Third, next year's base cap is expected to jump another $25M or more anyway. Four, with these veterans you speak about, you (and I, frankly) know nothing about them beyond the name. Is Cooper really better than, say, Zay Jones in this offense at this point in his career? Would he improve the room with what it needs? Samuel has had shoulder problems for a while. Is he even healthy enough? And what money do these guys want? That might be (probably is) why they are still on the market. Just because you have a lot of space, it does not make sense to just give guys whatever they want. You don't want to have a Michael Crabtree situation, where you hand out some cash and the guys lasts a minute and then you just waste the cash and cap.
I'm not saying they make no more veteran adds. But with what is on the market, I do not see anyone that dramatically shifts this roster.
From Richard Wakefield:
"Are contracts for rookies specific amounts depending on where they are drafted or for what position they play or are they negotiated individually? You read where teams keep some players because the are still on their rookie contracts."
Once the CBA was approved in 2011, rookie contracts became essentially slotted for each spot in the draft. There is usually a "QB tax" that bumps a quarterback a bit over other positions, but again, there is a big difference between a QB in the second round and a QB in the sixth round. There are still some hiccups that can happen in the third round because of guarantees, but generally, there isn't a lot of negotiating to be done, not like my first decade covering the league when first-round holdouts were commonplace.
As for keeping players on their rookie deals, the reality is a good player on a rookie deal is going to be cheaper for obvious reasons. Considering Brock Purdy was the last pick in the draft, for instance, his salary has been dirt-cheap for a QB who has been as good as he has been. A player who might be borderline worth keeping might be worth it if he is making, say, $2M on the final year of his rookie deal considering on the open market he might make, say, $6M a year. (Now, that's when you might find a holdout.)
From Pascal P:
"Greetings Darren, thank you for the mailbag. A draft question for you: Following the first free agency signings could we consider that Monti is now looking more towards the OL with the 16th selection in the draft? What is the chance that prospects such as Tyler Booker (versatile guard) or Donovan Jackson (played under Justin Frye at Ohio State) are high on the Cardinals radar? Thank you."
By process of elimination, I think that's a fair assumption. But here's the rub. We don't know where these players will fall on the final draft board. If there is a dynamic EDGE or D-lineman at 16 and offensive linemen that they see as more meh comparatively, you are making a mistake by going OL. Now, do I think they will have a legit option there with OL? Probably. But the whole idea is that if you go into a draft saying the first pick has to be a particular position, it isn't a great spot to draft within.
From Joy B:
"Darren, this question is for you, Paul, Craig & Dani. I pretty much listen to all the podcasts and I don't understand why you all think we have such a big need for another WR. MHJ is WR1, but watching Michael Wilson make some pretty amazing catches since he became a Cardinal, why does it seem like you guys think of him as a very distant second? OK, a speedy guy to race down the sidelines would be great, but we do have two really good receivers and that's not even counting Trey, the best tight end in the league."
Let's start, Joy, by saying thank you for listening. Especially to Underground. I mean, the other ones, I'm not on, so whatever.
You have suggested a topic that I will bring up on this week's podcast, however. I am a Wilson fan. But the passing game beyond McBride last season didn't reach the level it needs to be at for this team to succeed consistently. There is a lot that goes into that stew, but one thing that could impact it is another quality wideout -- and yes, one with some downfield speed makes the most sense.
From Ted Beck:
"After six years you're still getting letters about Kyler Murray and how the Cardinals should move on from him. Has there ever been another Cardinal as polarizing as Murray seems to be with the fans? Or even close?"
In some ways, this is an unfair question, because the answer is no one prior to the social media age (approximately 2010?) would qualify. But Kyler also lands into a different bucket than many athletes. You see this more in the NBA, but Kyler has plenty of fans that aren't necessarily Cardinals fans, so that gets into the mix -- much like Kevin Durant, or LeBron James, among others. I'll say this: I think for people on both sides of the Kyler debate, too many get lost in the emotion and don't see it through a realistic lens. Why that is I'm not sure. I'm glad the Cardinals have Kyler because I am watching the teams without a QB like the Steelers and Giants, and I remember what NFL life was like for the Cardinals between Kurt Warner and Carson Palmer, and that is no place a team wants to be.
From Don Geisler:
"Hey Darren, breaking the rules here, I don't have a question. As I was reading your response this week about offensive groupings (13 personnel and such), I could hear Wolfley's voice reading it, and I had such a huge pang of SOMETHING that he is no longer calling games! (Selfish sadness? Maybe my own advancing age?). He certainly deserves his retirement, and I wish him the best! Please pass along that he will DEFINITELY be missed, and I am literally feeling the end of an era upon us. Also, if appropriate, please pass along my condolences regarding the recent loss of his brother. Thanks for all you do. Looking forward to a big season."
The fact you acknowledge you don't have a question is a plus, Don. Thanks for that. I will mention this to Wolf (although he must read the mailbag weekly already, right? RIGHT?!?) He'll still be on the Big Red Rage, he'll still I'm sure pop up time to time on various Cardinals platforms like a story or two (if I can get him to return my calls) and he'll still be watching the Cardinals every week. I wonder if he will talk to the TV while doing it? Some living room "got his back waxed on that play!"
