[Click image to enlarge]
Notes
- The big move the Cardinals made on offense to open free agency was the signing of former San Francisco 49ers guard Mike Iupati. Our second-highest graded guard as a run blocker in 2014, Iupati has made a name for himself in that regard since entering the league in 2010. The concern with Iupati is that his work as a pass protector has never quite matched that, but for a Cardinals team looking to improve their running game, he was a smart signing.
- Drafting David Johnson looks like a good move too, with Andre Ellington looking like he's much more suited to sharing the load as opposed to being the primary back. Ellington dazzled as a change of pace player as a rookie in 2013, forcing 31 missed tackles on 157 offensive touches. However, with 247 touches in 2014, he forced just 20 missed tackles. If Johnson can come in and lighten the load, we may see Ellington get back to what he showed as a rookie.
- On defense, former New England Patriots cornerback Alfonzo Dennard replaces Antontio Cromartie as a starting cornerback opposite Patrick Peterson. Dennard claimed a role as a starting corner late midway through his rookie season in 2012, performing well for the Patriots, but struggled in 2014, finishing with a grade of -7.6 on just 241 snaps. He has shown flashes in the past, particularly in his first two seasons in the league, so the Cardinals will be hoping he can recapture that in 2014.
- Their defensive line should be impressive again in 2015, especially with Calais Campbell still one of the very best in the league. Campbell was our fourth-highest graded 3-4 defensive end in 2014, and he sees a new face next two him at nose tackle in Corey Peters. A solid player since entering the league in 2010, Peters might not wow you, but he does a very solid job year in and year out.
© 2024 PFF - all rights reserved.