Cardinals offseason primer: Pair of first-rounders, plenty of cash

Field Level Media|published: Wed 21st February, 13:27 2024

Nov 12, 2023; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown (2) misses a touchdown catch against the Atlanta Falcons in the first half at State Farm Stadium. credits: Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK

Arizona Cardinals

2023 record: 4-13

Projected salary cap space: $41.7 million

Offseason storylines: Arizona rates as a reclamation project but proved closer to contending with Kyler Murray at quarterback. The Cardinals have 11 picks in the 2024 NFL Draft before compensatory picks were awarded, including the Nos. 4 and 27 (via Houston) selections.

Team Needs: WR, DE, OL, DT, CB

Need is relative with a roster shaped for a youth movement. Head coach Jonathan Gannon wants line play to be a decided strength on both sides of the ball and the Cardinals are nowhere near dominant up front. A chance to get this generation's Larry Fitzgerald at No. 4 is an opportunity Murray won't want them to pass up after TE Trey McBride emerged as a consistent legitimate weapon.

Top free agent: WR Marquise Brown was coveted for big-play flair but delivered only three receptions of 25-plus yards among 51 receptions, suffering a precipitous decline in production after a hot start with three TDs in the first five games. He's not a No. 1 receiver but could be useful as a complementary target if the Cardinals snag one of the prospects with elite grades — Marvin Harrison Jr. (Ohio State), Malik Nabers (LSU) or Rome Odunze (Washington) — in the draft.

Unrestricted free agents as of March 13:

LS Aaron Brewer

WR *Marquise Brown

DE *L.J. Collier

G/C Trystan Colon

C *Pat Elflein

CB *Rashad Fenton

NT Leki Fotu

P Blake Gillikin

RB *Marlon Mack

CB Bobby Price

TE *Geoff Swaim