General manager of the Arizona Cardinals Monti Ossenfort has options when it comes to repurchasing players for the team, including using free agency.
Entering their second season under head coach Jonathan Gannon and head coach Ossenfort, the Cardinals’ top needs are wide receiver, pass rusher, both sides of the line, and cornerback.
But according to ESPN’s Matt Bowen, Arizona might be better off signing free agent Frankie Luvu, an inside linebacker.
Luvu was active last season, recording 125 tackles—10 of which were for losses—5.5 sacks, five passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and 11 quarterback hits during his 17 games with the Carolina Panthers. Bowen currently ranks Luvu as the 42nd top free agent this summer.
For the defense, Kyzir White and a player of Luvu’s caliber paired together would be quite beneficial. The Cardinals need to decide if it’s worth investing money in a position that isn’t critically needed.
Luvu is expected to get a contract in the three-year, $30 million range, with $17 million guaranteed, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Cardinals currently have a range of about $41.7 million, but they also have to set aside over $19 million for their 2024 rookie class, of which $11.2 million will count against the salary limit, according to OverTheCap.
In order to further reduce Arizona’s cap space, the Cardinals plan to re-sign players on their roster in addition to attempting to address vacancies via outside hires.
With White as their starting MIKE backer, the Cardinals are aware that they have a tried-and-true asset. A torn bicep ended the veteran’s season, although he still led the club in tackles (90) and tackles for loss (nine). In his debut season in the desert, he also earned two sacks, an interception, and three passes defensed.
The decision over who will command the place next to him in defensive coordinator Nick Rallis’ lineup is uncertain because Josh Woods and Krys Barnes are both eligible for free agency this offseason.
At the moment, Arizona’s other inside linebacker on the roster is second-year player Owen Pappoe.
Throughout the most of his rookie campaign, the 2023 fifth-round pick had more action as a special team player, but he still finished with 11 tackles, one pass defensed, and one quarterback hit in 16 games (one start).
However, because of injuries to White and other players, he did saw more defensive action over the final three games of the season, accounting for 101 of his 114 defensive snaps in 2023.
Pappoe possesses the speed required to be competitive in the NFL. He would make an interesting candidate for Rallis to take into consideration if he can make the required progress in Year 2.
Collins spent the majority of his time in the desert last season patrolling the middle of the defense, even though his primary role was outside linebacker.
It’s uncertain how amenable the coaching staff would be to shifting Collins back, considering as much work they invested in his transition outside in 2023. On the other hand, he might turn out to be the best player available.
