logo
NFL free agency: Arizona Cardinals aim to re-sign key depth players

NFL free agency: Arizona Cardinals aim to re-sign key depth players

USA Today27-02-2025
NFL free agency: Arizona Cardinals aim to re-sign key depth players The Cardinals intend on bringing back several of their depth players from 2024.
NFL free agency will begin on March 10 when teams can officially contact and negotiate with players whose contracts expire with the new league year. That is March 12.
Before then, the Arizona Cardinals hope to make some moves to bring back a few of their depth players. Speaking at the NFL combine on Tuesday, general manager Monti Ossenfort said it would be important, calling it "a priority for us."
"We had a lot of guys who played snaps for us this past year that provided quality depth for us that were starters, Ossenfort said. "Those are things that we're going to try to work through because you never know. We're going to try to get guys signed, and it takes two to do a deal. They have to make their decisions and then once we go to market, anything can happen at that point. That'll be a priority for us here over the next couple of weeks."
Who are some of those players he might be referring to? You can look at some of the players on the defensive line and at outside linebacker:
DL Naquan Jones
DL Roy Lopez
DL Khyiris Tonga
OLB Baron Browning
OLB Jesse Luketa
OLB Victor Dimukeje
You can look at some of the offensive lineman:
T Kelvin Beachum
T Jackson Barton
T/G Carter O'Donnell (he started games in 2023)
There are even a pair of receivers to consider:
Greg Dortch
Zay Jones
Almost none of these players would be a starter next year if the guys who are expected to start are healthy. But all are good to have on the roster as depth.
We will see which of those players end up in a Cardinals uniform again next season in just a few weeks.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Highly-experienced offensive lineman considering visit to Steelers
Highly-experienced offensive lineman considering visit to Steelers

Yahoo

time27 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Highly-experienced offensive lineman considering visit to Steelers

This article originally appeared on The Pittsburgh Steelers could soon bolster their new-look offensive line with a highly-experienced veteran. According to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, free agent guard Dalton Risner wants to take multiple visits before making a decision on where he wants to play in 2025 and the Steelers are a consideration, along with the Cincinnati Bengals and Seattle Seahawks. Risner, 30, would be a fantastic addition for Pittsburgh's depth with 81 career starts under his belt. However, the Bengals and Seahawks have something the Steelers can't offer: A starting job. Click here to read more from Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

Saints acquire second-year wide receiver Devaughn Vele from Broncos for a pair of draft picks
Saints acquire second-year wide receiver Devaughn Vele from Broncos for a pair of draft picks

Yahoo

time27 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Saints acquire second-year wide receiver Devaughn Vele from Broncos for a pair of draft picks

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos are alleviating some of the crowding in their wide receiver room by sending second-year pro Devaughn Vele to the New Orleans Saints for a pair of draft picks. The Broncos will get a fourth-round selection in next year's draft and a seventh-rounder in 2027 in exchange for Vele, who caught 41 passes for 475 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie last season. Vele (6-foot-5 and 210 pounds) was a seventh-round selection by Denver out of Utah in 2024. He caught all eight passes thrown to him in last year's opener and two of his three TDs came against the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs. He also caught a half-dozen passes for 80 yards against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 12. Vele joins a receiver corps in New Orleans that also includes Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, Brandin Cooks, Mason Tipton, Cedrick Wilson Jr. and Dante Pettis. Led by Courtland Sutton, the Broncos have a deep wide receiving corps, which coach Sean Payton has said would provide some difficult decisions when it comes to paring the roster to the NFL-mandated 53 players next week. In addition to Marvin Mims Jr., Trent Sherfield Sr. and Troy Franklin, rookie Pat Bryant has had an outstanding training camp as have undrafted rookies Joaquin Davis, Jerjuan Newton and Courtney Jackson. The Broncos (2-0) visit the Saints (0-1-1) Saturday in a preseason finale. ___ AP Sports Writer Brett Martel in New Orleans contributed. ___ AP NFL:

Raiders' success largely depends on unproven offensive line
Raiders' success largely depends on unproven offensive line

Yahoo

time27 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Raiders' success largely depends on unproven offensive line

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Trading for quarterback Geno Smith and drafting running back Ashton Jeanty were two major offseason moves meant to put a jolt in the Raiders' anemic offense. But whether those players succeed will largely rest on the five largely unproven linemen blocking for them. That doesn't mean they won't get the job done, but it's one of Las Vegas' major questions as training camp winds down and a new season is about to begin. 'I think they're getting a good feel for one another," coach Pete Carroll said. 'It feels like there's some continuity. Kolton (Miller) is doing a terrific job. I'm really fired up about what Jordan (Meredith) is doing in the middle. So it feels pretty solid right now. There's still room for competition, but at this point, we're feeling pretty good.' The Raiders should be set on the left side. Miller is the anchor, an eight-year veteran who last season was ranked by Pro Football Focus as the 14th-best tackle out of 140. The Raiders signed him to a three-year, $66 million extension on July 30, with $42.5 million guaranteed. PFF ranked fourth-year pro Dylan Parham as the 24th best guard out of 136. But there is uncertainty over the rest of the line. Jackson Powers-Johnson and DJ Glaze started as rookies last season and showed promise, giving Las Vegas potential mainstays for years to come. Glaze has solidified his spot at right tackle, though pass rusher Maxx Crosby hasn't made his life easy in practice. Powers-Johnson was expected to be the team's starting center after running with the first team in organized team activities and minicamp. Meredith, however, has taken over the position despite not playing that spot in a regular-season game in his three NFL seasons. 'It's a learning curve, of course, but it's a lot of fun going out there and just like making a call, getting it right, or seeing the other guys that they see something,' Meredith said. "It's just great when you see other people also communicating.' Now Powers-Johnson is at right guard and likely will start there, but free-agent acquisition Alex Cappa returned to practice on Wednesday after missing time because of a rib injury. 'When (Cappa) gets his chances, we know he's going to have to make the most of them,' Carroll said. 'JPJ is getting more comfortable. He continues to be really physical at the spot and he's a strong and powerful guy, so he's making progress.' Depth is an issue throughout the roster, and that's especially true on the offensive line. The Raiders might have seven players they feel comfortable playing up front, with former starter Thayer Munford and his ability to play guard and tackle almong them. 'We're just so young on the second group,' Carroll said. 'It's just going to take time. We have good movement by the young guys. They get out of their stance and they get on people well. We're just not as accurate with our calls. We're not as clear with our technique, but that takes time, so I'm not worried about that.' Smith and Jeanty were the shiny toys the Raiders added to their roster, but if the offensive linemen don't produce, then it will severely limit what Las Vegas can accomplish. This is an offense that last season was 29th in scoring at 18.2 points per game and 27th in yardage with a 303.2 average. Their rushing offense, which averaged 79.8 yards, was last. 'I feel like I'm coming in just continuing to grow that connection with them, being able to talk, communicate,' Jeanty said of the line. 'But also I want them to know, 'Hey, you're working hard and blocking. I'm going to take advantage of those blocks and those plays and make the big plays down the field.'' Cut-down day coming The Raiders, like the other 31 teams, will have some difficult decisions to make in getting their roster down to 53 players by Tuesday. Carroll said he tries to be clear with the players who were cut while also letting some know they could still return to the team. 'These guys are in this meeting room right here deserve to be part of this club,' Carroll said. "They have given everything they've got. I love the way that they've fought through maybe their old habits, old ways, to join us and be part of the mentality that we're standing for here. They feel like they're our guys, so when we have to do that, I'm going to try to open the avenue so that they have a sense of how they could wind up coming back to us. "And it happens all the time, so we'll see.' Out of action Backup running back Raheem Mostert was given permission to miss Wednesday's practice to tend to a family matter. Kyu Blu Kelly, who is battling Darien Porter for a starting cornerback spot, did not practice because of a hamstring issue. ___ AP NFL:

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store