The Arizona Cardinals' 3 best moves in NFL free agency
The Arizona Cardinals have made a number of deals in free agency. Some were re-signings. Some were big additions and others were smaller additions.
They have solidified the offensive line. They have improved the defensive line and pass rush. They have a legitimate backup quarterback.
But what were their best deals?
Below are the three free agent deals that were the Cardinals' best so far.
No. 1: DL Dalvin Tomlinson
The Cardinals tried to sign former Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Milton Williams. He got $26 million a year for four years from the New England Patriots, and he has yet to be a full-time starter in the NFL.
By missing out on him, they were able to get Tomlinson, who got a two-year, $29 million contract from Arizona after he was cut by the Cleveland Browns.
While Williams had five sacks last season and two in the Super Bowl, he has had only 29 career quarterback hits in four NFL seasons.
Tomlinson had 40 in the last three seasons. Tomlinson has never had more than 3.5 sacks in a season, but he is a proven disruptor against the run and the pass.
The truth is the Cardinals got a better player for less money. While Williams could still be ascending, Tomlinson is a proven commodity.
No. 2: OL Evan Brown
This is an incredibly underrated signing. He was solid last season. The guard market went crazy. The Cardinals tried to get Will Fries as well, but he got five years and $93 million from the Minnesota Vikings.
While Brown is not an elite guard, he is solid. Considering his contract costs less than $6 million a season for two years, the Cardinals get great value. How much better play would they get from a so-called better guard than Brown, considering the cost?
No. 3: LB Josh Sweat
I initially gave this deal a "C" in my free agency grades. That was probably a little harsh. The truth is that the economics of pass rushers have changed. $30 million a year is the new $20 million a year.
So a guy below the elite tier of pass rushers like Sweat is going to get $19 million a year like he does. He has reached double digits in sacks before and had eight last season, plus another 2.5 in the Super Bowl. He gives the defense a real pass-rushing threat and the contract isn't crazy. If he gets eight sacks a year, it is fine. If he gets 10-plus, it is great.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: NFL free agency grades: 3 best Arizona Cardinals moves
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