Two More Cardinals Added to PFF Top 100 Free Agent List
As the offseason officially grows closer to starting for the entire league, the Arizona Cardinals have begun preparations for a free agency class that will feature 30+ players ready to test the waters of possibly playing somewhere else.
Nearly a month ago, Pro Football Focus released their initial Top 100 free agent list that featured Zach Allen and Kelvin Beachum in the Top 50.
Yet things have changed since then, and two more Cardinals have entered the rankings:
(All projections and analysis written by Brad Spielberger)
Updated PFF 2023 NFL Free Agent Ranking List
No. 24: Zach Allen
"Contract Projection: Three years, $37.5 million ($12.5M per year); $26 million total guaranteed
"Allen has taken advantage of mentorship from future first-ballot Hall of Famer J.J. Watt early in his career, and he took a big leap in 2022. Allen earned his first run-defense grade above 60.0 and first pass-rush grade above 70.0, with a career-best 35 quarterback pressures and 8.3% pressure rate.
"Allen could be a big benefactor of the pending market explosion among interior defenders, though he will land in the second or third tier of the position group."
No. 42: Byron Murphy
"Contract Projection: Three years, $26.25 million ($8.75M per year); $16.25 million total guaranteed
"Murphy boosted his stock this season by playing primarily on the outside after splitting reps with a skew toward the slot over his first three seasons, and he earned the highest overall (66.7) and coverage (63.9) grades of his career in the process.
"Murphy will be 25 through the entire 2023 regular season, and his inside-outside flexibility makes him an intriguing option for a lot of teams in need of help in the secondary."
No. 72: Kelvin Beachum
"Contract Projection: Two years, $3 million ($1.5M per year); $2 million total guaranteed
"Beachum earned his 10th straight season-long pass-blocking grade above 70.0 and showed few signs of slowing down at 33 years old, logging over 1,100 snaps with a revolving door of lineman teammates at each of the other four positions all season long.
"He’s limited as a run blocker, and that won’t change, but you know what you’re going to get with Beachum at right tackle, and you’re likely going to get tremendous value considering he’s coming off a two-year, $4 million deal signed in 2021."
No. 79: Will Hernandez
"Contract Projection: Three years, $12 million ($4M per year); $6.25 million total guaranteed
"Hernandez earned a career-high 79.1 pass-blocking grade in 2022, which ranked tied for eighth among guards. His 3.0% pressure rate allowed ranked 13th at the position, and he held up on true pass sets, as well, ranking top 15 in both metrics. He’s a bit more limited as a run blocker, failing to reach a season-long grade of at least 65.0 over his five-year career, but his above-average pass protection should make him an intriguing target for a handful of clubs.
"Hernandez finished the season on injured reserve with a pectoral injury, but there are no indications he’ll miss time in 2023 as a result. The former No. 34 overall pick signed a minimum contract for 2022 but should be able to boost that a bit going forward."
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