The Arizona Cardinals had a stellar regular season campaign though they eventually fell short in the 2021 playoffs. Their failure to live up to expectations and perform under the bright lights will surely be a point for improvement for the entire team moving forward. Despite the disappointing exit, there is no doubt that the team still has many things to build upon heading to next season.
In the previous offseason, Cardinals general manager Steve Keim has put together an impressive haul and he will look to replicate the same success in this year's free agency. Hopefully, their soon-to-be acquisitions can help elevate the squad to a higher level and allow them to bounce back on the field next season.
With that said, here are three early free agency targets for the Cardinals in the upcoming offseason:
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3. Akiem Hicks
Arizona's defense didn't get to be in full force in 2021 as veteran pass-rusher J.J. Watt only appeared in seven games in the regular season. When he went down with a shoulder injury, their ability to stop the run was evidently weakened which now prompts them to add a strong defender for next season.
Enter defensive end Akiem Hicks who can certainly be a force for the Cardinals, especially with his physicality and vast playing experience. Though he was sidelined due to an ankle injury, he was still able to make the most out of his time on the field as he tallied 25 combined tackles, nine QB hits, and 3.5 sacks in nine appearances for the Chicago Bears.
Aside from his productivity, the former Pro Bowler can also be a good mentor to Arizona's young guys in Zach Allen, Leki Fotu, and Rashard Lawrence. Ultimately, the Cardinals can never go wrong with a savvy veteran like Hicks who can have a valuable impact and help strengthen their defensive front next season.
2. Haason Reddick
Without a doubt, letting linebacker Haason Reddick walk in the previous offseason remains to be one of the biggest mistakes that the front office has done in recent memory. After getting his fifth-year option declined by the Cardinals in 2020, he went on to sign a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers.
Reddick had a solid campaign under Matt Rhule as he compiled 68 combined tackles, 18 QB hits, and 11.0 sacks in 16 appearances in 2021. After emerging to be a Pro Bowl-caliber linebacker, the Cardinals will surely want him back at the helm and the circumstances might just allow both sides to have a reunion in the near future.
For one, the contract of Cardinals linebacker Chandler Jones has already expired and he will most likely demand a bigger paycheck after earning his fourth Pro Bowl selection in 2021. Arizona might not match his high price and can potentially let him walk in the offseason instead.
Another LB in Dennis Gardeck also has an expiring contract and he might not be an investable piece, given that he didn't have any impact on defense except for his contributions as part of the special teams. With several holes to fill on the defensive end, Reddick seems like a logical target for the Cardinals and they might just benefit from bringing their former first-rounder back to town for next season.
1. Chris Godwin
Wide receiver Chris Godwin is expected to make a splash in free agency and the Cardinals could be one of the teams that would call his number at some point in the upcoming offseason. He recently had another solid campaign as he generated 1,103 receiving yards on 98 catches and five TDs in 14 games played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Though he didn't get to be in the pink of health, Godwin still emerged as a pivotal weapon for Tom Brady and their offense. After a five-year stay in Florida, the 25-year-old is poised to explore his options, and playing in Arizona would make a lot of sense for him.
In 2021, the Cardinals had one of the deepest pass-catching units in the league though that may change soon as both Christian Kirk and AJ Green have expiring contracts in the offseason. If the front office doesn't sign them to new deals then there would be enough space for Godwin who is expected to get a ton of touches on the field.
Certainly enough, the former Pro Bowler won't come at a cheap price but his arrival can allow the Cardinals to play at a higher level and become a more dynamic squad, especially on offense. Moreover, pairing him with an All-Pro caliber receiver in DeAndre Hopkins will surely be a scary sight for many defenders in the league next season.
Given his level of talent and championship experience, Godwin may just be the missing link for the Cardinals to get over the hump and finally make a deep run in the playoffs for 2022 and beyond.
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