These three moves in free agency have some upside for the Cardinals in 2025.
The Arizona Cardinals have made several moves in NFL free agency so far this offseason. Some of these moves have been great — adding pass rusher Josh Sweat, defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson and bringing back guard Evan Brown. Other moves are good but hopefully the players aren’t needed — signing quarterback Jacoby Brissett and bringing back tackle Kelvin Beachum.
However, three free agent moves, in particular, have intriguing upside. These are contracts for that didn’t cost relatively much but for players who could be more productive than expected.
Below are those three moves:
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither
Davis-Gaither comes in on a two-year, $10 million deal. It is essentially the same deal that Kyzir White got two years ago. He projects as the Cardinals’ starting “MIKE” linebacker, although Mack Wilson could take that role, putting Davis-Gaither in that second role off the ball.
Playing in all 17 games for the Cincinnati Bengals last season and starting the final six, replacing injured starter Logan Wilson, he had a total of 82 tackles, four tackles for loss, four pass breakups and an interception. In his final six games, all starts, he had three double-digit tackle games and had a total of 58 tackles and two tackles for loss, two pass breakups, a forced fumble and fumble recovery.
If he ends up starting, finishing the season with 120-plus tackles is a real possibility.
WR Zay Jones
Jones returns on a one-year deal worth up to $4.5 million. That seems like a lot after he only had eight receptions last season for the Cardinals, but his season was derailed by the five-game suspension to start the season.
He had four catches for 46 yards in the Cardinals’ season finale, and his usage at the end of the year should continue heading into 2025.
His ability to play inside and out is what head coach Jonathan Gannon likes. He is the only receiver outside of Marvin Harrison Jr. to have had an 800-yard season before. If he is used like he was at the end of the year, he could have decent numbers.
WR Simi Fehoko
He is a bit of an unknown. The terms of his deal have not yet been reported. But his size and speed are intriguing. He is 6-foot-4 and had a 4.44-second 40 time before he was drafted in 2021.
His deal is likely for very little and that means, even with modest production, it would be a good deal.
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