4 New Year's Resolutions for Arizona Cardinals
The 2023 season is one week away from wrapping up for the Arizona Cardinals, and we've seen some highs and plenty of lows from the team this year.
We've learned plenty and have enough reason to be optimistic about the future of this organization under head coach Jonathan Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort.
Even after a four-win season (pending next week's finale vs the Seahawks), we should be more than happy with the way this team played in year one of a rebuild.
However, it's time to start looking ahead to tasks to complete in the offseason and most importantly, creating some New Year's Resolutions for this team.
I mean, 'tis the season, right?
Four resolutions for the Cardinals:
Re-Sign Greg Dortch
While Dortch has been anything but a stat sheet stuffer (22 catches for 266 yards), he's proven to be a reliable player in more ways than one, and for that the Cardinals should put an emphasis on re-signing the receiver.
Dortch has stepped up when asked to and has shown the ability to be a playmaker and a team-first player.
You need guys like that to establish a culture and build up the foundation of a team in a rebuild, and Dortch is just that. He likely won't cost anything substantial and in return, you get a fan-favorite back.
Sign Stud Cornerback in Free Agency
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The Cardinals' biggest need in the offseason is a cornerback. The team cut Marco Wilson mid-season for how bad he was playing and that's saying something considering the lack of any depth behind him.
Clearly, the Cards have an understanding that the position needs a drastic upgrade.
There are a handful of quality options in the 2024 NFL Draft including Alabama's Kool-Aid McKinstry, but the Cards would be better served drafting for other positions and targeting a top cover man in Free Agency.
The free agency pool has several studs including Jaylon Johnson and L'Jarius Snead. Adding a veteran corner is a step in the right direction.
Trade Down in 2024 NFL Draft
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As it stands, the Cardinals possess the fourth overall pick in the upcoming draft. They're in a prime position to add an elite player. However, I believe the team should prioritize moving down a couple of spots.
Caleb Williams and Drake Maye are both quarterbacks who are viewed as potential franchise cornerstones and will thus be in high demand by quarterback-needy teams. There's no shortage of those teams, either.
The demand will up the cost of Arizona's pick - as they could easily wind up with a massive haul for a move down no matter where they end up. It's a great position to be in, even if it means forgoing a guy like MHJ.
Draft Cornerstone on Both Sides of Ball
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That being said, there's still plenty of hope the Cardinals can land MHJ after a trade-down if they stay inside the top five. And even if they don't, this is a loaded draft class with plenty of potential Pro Bowl-level players to add to a talent-starved team.
That's why when the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft comes to an end, the Cards need to be walking away with two cornerstones.
Thanks to the Texans trade-up last year, the Cardinals possess two first-round picks and regardless of where Houston's pick ends up, Arizona is still in a great situation to add talent.
There's plenty of stars on both sides of the football, so there's no excuse to not use one pick on offense and the other on defense and get two studs.
Find a way to accomplish these resolutions, and you are cooking with gas for the 2024 Arizona Cardinals.
