Arizona Cardinals given a 'B' in early NFL free agency grades
The Arizona Cardinals have made a number of moves in NFL free agency. Three can be considered significant, while the rest have been minor.
They signed pass rusher Josh Sweat to a four-year, $76.4 million contract. They added defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson on a two-year $29 million deal and signed backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett to a two-year, $12.5 million contract.
They re-signed several players and added some linebackers, a receiver and an offensive lineman.
Now we are beginning to see grades come in. Pro Football Network graded all 32 team's first week of free agency.
The Cardinals get a B.
Early on, the Arizona Cardinals addressed their biggest need by reuniting edge rusher Josh Sweat with his former defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. Sweat provides an important boost to a pass rush that has ranked in the bottom 10 in each of Gannon’s first two seasons as head coach.
Otherwise, there are still plenty of shoes to drop for Arizona. None of the Cardinals’ major free agents agreed to deals during the two-day negotiating period. Linebacker Kyzir White and guard Will Hernandez are among the starters who could depart.
Their best move wasn't even the addition of Sweat. It was nabbing former Cleveland Browns defensive lineman Dalvin Tomlinson after he was released in a cap-saving move. His presence will make it so Sweat can get to the quarterback and so the linebackers behind him can clean things up.
A 'B' is exactly the grade I would give the Cardinals. They made a great move with Tomlinson, a pair of no-brainer moves with Sweat and Brissett. Everything else is just fine.
While they were slow to get off the ground and swung and missed at big-ticket free agents like defensive lineman Milton Williams and guard Will Fries, they are in a better spot than they were to end last season.
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL free agency grades: Arizona Cardinals given 'B' by one outlet
-
Grading the Arizona Cardinals' most recent free agent moves
After grading the Cardinals' initial moves in free agency, we have more grades, looking at the rest of the moves they have made.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
The Arizona Cardinals' 3 best moves in NFL free agency
The Arizona Cardinals wrapped up the first week of free agency making a bunch of moves. These three were their best ones.Yahoo Sports - 2h -
2 great NFL free agency moves by Arizona Cardinals they hope they don't need
Two of the Arizona Cardinals' moves in free agency were for players that ideally won't have to play much in 2025.Yahoo Sports - 1h -
Arizona Cardinals' projected starting lineup after NFL free agency
With some new additions and some returning free agents, we take a look at what the Cardinals' starting lineup would look right now.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
NFL free agency grades: Bears, Broncos, Vikings impress in first wave, Texans confound
Plenty of NFL teams have made significant upgrades in the early stages of free agency. Here's a look at the best- and worst-graded teams.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
NFL free agency grades: Chris Godwin, Justin Reid among best early signings
A lot of top NFL free agents came off the board in the early stages of free agency. Which signings were the best of the bunch?Yahoo Sports - 1d -
7-round Arizona Cardinals mock draft after 1 week of NFL free agency
With the first week of free agency in the books, check out this seven-round mock draft simulation for the Cardinals.Yahoo Sports - 5h -
Yahoo Sports releases early NFL Free Agency grades
The Minnesota Vikings received praise from Yahoo! Sports for their work during the first week of free agency.Yahoo Sports - 6h -
Cardinals free agency grades, reactions, recaps
Jess Root and Seth Cox react to the Cardinals' moves in free agency in the latest edition of the podcast.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Colts NFL free agency: What grades did Indianapolis get for their signings?
What grades did NFL analysts give the Indianapolis Colts for their free agent signings?Yahoo Sports - 1d -
NFL Free Agency: ESPN gives Tennessee Titans an 'A' for Dan Moore signing
The Tennessee Titans made a splash early in free agency signing tackle Dan Moore to a mega deal. This move earns the Titans a solid A grade from ESPN.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
NFL free agency 2025: 10 teams that addressed massive roster needs with early moves
NFL free agency can provide a quick fix for teams facing a pressing need, and the Bears and Cardinals were among those who paid up to solve a problem.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Jaguars free agency: What grades did Jacksonville get for their signings?
What grades did NFL analysts give the Jacksonville Jaguars for their nine free agent signings?Yahoo Sports - 1d -
49ers NFL free agency moves receive embarrassing grade from PFF
Pro Football Focus gave the 49ers low marks on their NFL free agency moves thus far.Yahoo Sports - 11h -
Jaguars way too early 53-man roster prediction after first wave of NFL free agency
After the first wave of NFL free agency, here is a way too early projection of the Jaguars' 53-man roster.Yahoo Sports - 11h -
Arizona Cardinals get good grade for free agent deal with LB Josh Sweat
ESPN believes that the Cardinals' four-year deal for Josh Sweat has the potential to be a bargain.Yahoo Sports - 3h -
Who are the early winners and losers of NFL free agency?
A flurry of moves to kick off free agency included good news for Tom Brady and Cam Ward. Meanwhile, it was a little rough for Aaron Rodgers and the Bengals.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Saints get mediocre free agent grade for bringing back IOL Will Clapp after three seasons
The Saints didn't get any applause for signing Will Clapp, at least not in Bleacher Reports' NFL free agency grades.Yahoo Sports - 11h -
2025 NFL free agency Day 1 grades: Jets get 'A' for Justin Fields bet, Seahawks earn 'B' for Sam Darnold deal
Which clubs are doing the best out of the gate?CBS Sports - 5d -
2025 NFL free agency Day 3 grades: Vikings earn 'A' for Javon Hargrave deal, Steelers get 'B-' for Darius Slay
Which teams improved the most on WednesdayCBS Sports - 2d -
Colts way too early 53-man roster prediction after first wave of NFL free agency
Here is a way-too-early look ahead at what the Colts' 53-man roster could look like for the 2025 season following the first wave of NFL free agency.Yahoo Sports - 11h -
NFL free agency grades: Guess who is getting an A?
Between a few big trades and a flurry of overall activity, aggressive teams improved. But some teams took hits with players leaving.Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Five NFL teams that still have big holes to fill after early free agency
NFL free agency can be a platform for teams to address their needs. But it can also create or exacerbate issues, as several franchises have learned.Yahoo Sports - 10h -
2025 NFL free agency: Titans signing ex-Steelers LT Dan Moore Jr. to four-year, $82 million deal, per report
Tennessee splurges on the offensive line early in free agencyCBS Sports - 5d -
NFL Free Agency: What grade did the Titans receive for Dre'Mont Jones signing?
The Tennessee Titans added some depth to the defensive line with the signing of Dre'Mont Jones. This move earns the Titans an average grade from ESPN.Yahoo Sports - 12h -
Tennessee Titans depth chart: Roster projections after Week 1 of NFL free agency 2025
The Tennessee Titans' roster is beginning to reveal itself after early days of NFL free agency 2025. Here's where Will Levis stands before the NFL draft.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Agent's Take: 10 contract-related thoughts, observations from 2025 NFL free agency and early part of offseason
Ten thoughts and observations relating to the early part of the offseasonCBS Sports - 15h -
Eagles' projected depth chart following the initial wave of NFL free agency
With the second wave of free agency set to pick up steam, we're looking at an early depth chart prediction for the Philadelphia EaglesYahoo Sports - 1d -
2025 NFL free agency Day 2 grades: Falcons get 'A+' for Leonard Floyd deal, Bills get 'C' for adding Joey Bosa
Which teams are doing the best out of the gate in free agency?CBS Sports - 3d -
2025 NFL free agency Day 2 winners and losers: Vikings making huge splash, Cowboys doing little with cap room
A look at which teams are standing out early on in free agencyCBS Sports - 3d -
Free Agency Grades: Darnold to Seattle, Fields to the Jets, Adams to LA! | Football 301
Nate Tice and Matt Harmon break down free agency's biggest moves and give grades for each signing.Yahoo Sports - 4d -
Grading Patriots’ first wave of 2025 free agent signings
Grading the first wave of the New England Patriots' 2025 NFL free agent signings.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
NFL Free Agency: Titans earn high marks for Kevin Zeitler signing
The Tennessee Titans upgraded their offensive line with the signing of Kevin Zeitler. This move earns the Titans a solid A grade from ESPN.Yahoo Sports - 13h -
2025 NFL free agency team-by-team grades: Vikings, Patriots, Commanders among top marks after first few days
Here's how each team has fared through three days of free agencyCBS Sports - 2d -
New Arizona Cardinals QB Jacoby holds this NFL record
For his career, QB Jacoby Brissett has the lowest interception percentage in NFL history.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Cardinals hosted free agent visit with Asante Samuel Jr.
Free agent cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. took a trip to Arizona on Thursday.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Texans make two surprising trades, plus free agency winners and losers, grades after Day 1 of negotiations
Here's everything you need to know about the NFL for March 11CBS Sports - 4d -
NFL QB carousel: All teams with new quarterbacks after first wave of free agency
More than a dozen teams have made a move for a quarterback during the early parts of free agency. Here's how the QB carousel has looked so far:Yahoo Sports - 2h -
NFL free agency: Fantasy football fallout and analysis of deals (and trades)
Fantasy football analyst Matt Harmon breaks down all the major deals going down during NFL free agency.Yahoo Sports - 5d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
France overpower Scotland in Paris to deny England the Six Nations title
France did not quite hit the heights of their Dublin demolition last weekend, but Les Bleus did enough on a nervy night in Paris to clinch a second Six Nations title in four years – and kill off ...Yahoo Sports - 24m -
Long balls, pitching dominance help FSU finish sweep of BC in doubleheader
FSU dominated with a run-rule blowout and then a pitching gem to close out a sweep of Boston College Saturday.Yahoo Sports - 25m -
Athletic Club star left out of squad for Sevilla clash
A leading member of the defensive ranks at La Liga outfit Athletic Club has been left out of the club’s squad for their upcoming meeting with Sevilla.The player in question? Aitor Paredes.Ernesto ...Yahoo Sports - 25m -
Clayton scores 22 as No. 4 Florida beats No. 5 Alabama 104-82 in SEC semis
Yahoo Sports - 25m -
Florida Gators men's basketball advances to SEC Tournament title game with blowout of Bama
Things started off competitive, but the Florida Gators ran away with it in the second half of an SEC Tournament semifinal matchup against Alabama.Yahoo Sports - 26m
More in Sports
-
Injured Arkansas star Boogie Fland cleared to resume basketball activities, could return for NCAA Tournament
Fland, a potential first-round pick, has been out since mid-January with a hand injuryCBS Sports - 22m -
2025 NASCAR Las Vegas race this week predictions, odds: Model that hit 19 winners gives Pennzoil 400 picks
SportsLine simulated the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway 10,000 times. Use its projected leaderboard for NASCAR picks at sites like PrizePicks, DraftKings, and FanDuelCBS Sports - 23m -
France overpower Scotland in Paris to deny England the Six Nations title
France did not quite hit the heights of their Dublin demolition last weekend, but Les Bleus did enough on a nervy night in Paris to clinch a second Six Nations title in four years – and kill off ...Yahoo Sports - 24m -
Duke vs. Louisville prediction, odds, time: 2025 ACC Tournament championship picks from proven model
SportsLine's model simulated Louisville Cardinals vs. Duke Blue Devils in the 2025 ACC Tournament championship matchup on Saturday 10,000 times with Cooper Flagg (ankle) outCBS Sports - 25m -
Long balls, pitching dominance help FSU finish sweep of BC in doubleheader
FSU dominated with a run-rule blowout and then a pitching gem to close out a sweep of Boston College Saturday.Yahoo Sports - 25m