Predicting the Cardinals’ 2025 Off-Season Moves on Defense and Special Teams

Adding defensive UFAs may be difficult this year

For the defense, the Cardinals making three key outside UFA signings.

34NT

• TBD

Predictions:

1. Cards re-sign Roy Lopez
2. Cards sign Poonah Ford, 5-11, 310, Texas, 29, LAC, 2024 PFF Grade: 85.3

34DE

• Darius Robinson
• Dante Stills
• Justin Jones
• Bilal Nichols
• Ben Stille (FC)
• P.J. Mustipher (FC)
• Anthony Goodlow (FC)

Predictions:

1. Cards re-sign L.J. Collier
2. Cards re-sign Naquan Jones

SOLB

• Zaven Collins
• Jesse Luketa
• Elliot Brown (FC)

Prediction: Status Quo —- GMs and coaches really like this group

WOLB

• B.J.. Ojulari
• Xavier Thomas

Predictions:

1. Cards sign Josh Sweat, 6-5, 265, Florida St., 27, PHI, 2024 PFF Grade: 71.9
2. Cards draft another edge rusher or re-sign Baron Browning

ILB

• Mack Wilson Sr.
• Owen Pappoe
• Vi Jones
• Milo Eifler

Predictions:

• Cards sign Robert Spillane, 6-1, 229, Western Michigan, 29, LV, 2024 PFF Grade: 68.4
• Cards re-sign Krys Barnes

CB

• Sean Murphy-Bunting
• Starling Thomas V
• Garrett Williams
• Max Melton
• Kei’Trel Clark
• Elijah Jones
• Jaden Davis (FC)
• Ekow Boye-Doe (FC)

Prediction: Status Quo —- GMs and coaches really like this group

S

• Budda Baker
• Dadrion Taylor-Demerson
• Joey Blount
• Jammie Robinson
• Darren Hall

Prediction:

1. Cards trade or release Jalen Thompson

K

• Chad Ryland

P

• Blake Gillikin

LS

Prediction: Cards re-sign Aaron Brewer

KR

• DeeJay Dallas

PR

• Greg Dortch

The Cardinals 3 key outside UFAs projected salaries per PFF:

ED Josh Sweat, 3 years — $18m avg/yr., $32.5m guaranteed, $54m total

LB Robert Spillane: 3 years — $8m avg/yr, $13m guaranteed, $24m total

NT Poonah Ford: 1 year — $3.5m avg/yr, $1.5m guaranteed, $3.5m total

It may take a little more guaranteed money for the Cardinals to outbid the field on Josh Sweat and it may take signing Poonah Ford to a 2- or 3-year deal, also with more guaranteed money.

I am fine with that. Are you?

With the 6 important outside UFAs the Cardinals have a chance to sign (plus re-signing a few of their own), that would give them the flexibility to take the best player available in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Your thoughts?