The Arizona Cardinals had one of the most up-and-down seasons in recent memory in 2020. Work needs to be done with this team if the Birds want to compete in the talented NFC West.

Kilff Kingsbury's team got off to a terrific 5-2 start and looked like one of the best teams in the NFC. Unfrotunately, the second half of the year was a disaster. They went 3-6 to close out the season with an 8-8 mark, and many questions were left unanswered.

They acquired DeAndre Hopkins in the offseason for David Johnson, and the Kyler Murray-Hopkins duo had the attention of everybody around the league, and for good reason.

Of course, Hopkins made the catch of the year on a Hail Murray against the Buffalo Bills where the talented receiver outdueled three Buffalo defenders to somehow come down with it and win the game.

Despite that, the season ended in disappointment for the Cardinals, and free agency will be key for them in 2021. So, here are three free agents Arizona could target in an effort to move up in the NFC West.

3. Brandon Scherff, OL

Scherff would improve the Cardinals offensive line immensely, and protecting your quarterback, especially when he's the former top overall pick, should be priority number one.

However, Scherff is third on this list purely because of cost, but this is a no-brainer move for Arizona. Murray was sacked 27 times last season, and that number isn't good especially given the fact he's one of the most mobile quarterbacks in the league.

Furthermore, the running game was a huge concern for Arizona. Kenyan Drake led the team with 955 yards and Murray was second with 819 yards. Whenever your quarterback rushes for nearly the same as your starting rusher, you know there's a problem on the offensive line, and that needs to be addressed going forward.

Scherff has started every game he's played in Washington since entering the league in 2015 and he's earned three trips to the Pro Bowl, so adding a durable,  tough, physical lineman would help Murray be more comfortable and allow the Murray-Hopkins relationship to flourish like everybody thought it would.

2. Desmond King, CB

The offense isn't a huge concern, but upgrading the defense is essential. After all, Matthew Stafford, Russell Wilson, and Jimmy Garoppolo (for now) are the quarterbacks they have to face twice a year each, so defense help is much needed.

Patrick Peterson isn't the shutdown corner he once was by any means, and Dre Kirkpatrick had his own issues throughout the year. Budda Baker was a star in the secondary playing the safety position, so safety shouldn't be a problem for the Cardinals for a while.

However, the addition of King would help this secondary that got torched time and time again in 2020.

King fell out of the defensive rotation in Los Angeles for some weird reason and was traded away midseason to the Tennessee Titans. After joining Mike Vrabel's squad King contributed 23 tackles with two deflections and a score, and he looked like the player the Chargers thought he could be when they drafted him.

He is only 26 years old and an upgrade over Peterson and Kirkpatrick, especially at this point in their careers. With wide receivers like Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Deebo Samuel, DK Metcalf, Brandon Aiyuk, and tight end George Kittle among the divisional foes, the need to upgrade the secondary is evident.

1. Hunter Henry, TE

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Another former Charger that the Cardinals should consider, and imagine how happy Murray would be.

Dan Arnold isn't the long-term answer at tight end, and unless they take Kyle Pitts in the NFL Draft, the Cardinals will undoubtedly have a new tight end catching balls from Kyler in 2021.

While there are other options such as Zach Ertz and Jimmy Graham, Henry makes the most sense because of his age. He just turned 26 years old in December and showed that when healthy he is one of the best tight ends in football.

Murray relied on Hopkins far too often last year, and if it wasn't for Christian Kirk and ageless wonder Larry Fitzgerald, Hopkins probably would've led the league in catches.

Henry didn't have the best numbers in 2020, but you can blame Anthony Lynn and Shane Steichen for that. Even still Henry finished with 60 catches for 613 yards and four touchdowns and was one of Justin Herbert's favorite targets, especially in the red zone.

The size of Henry and athleticism is something Murray would love, and adding a quality red-zone threat to this Cardinals offense would benefit Kliff and Kyler going forward in their attempt to make the playoffs in 2021.