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Arizona Cardinals News & Rumors

Cardinals Acquire 6th-Round Pick For Jared Veldheer

March 23rd, 2018 at 6:51pm CST by Ryan Posner

The Broncos have announced the acquisition of Cardinals offensive lineman Jared Veldheer in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the upcoming draft (on Twitter). Troy Renck of Denver 7, ABC, first reported that the two sides were nearing a deal involving Veldheer and a late-round pick (on Twitter).

Veldheer started 13 games for the Cardinals last season before being placed on injured reserve with a broken ankle. He’s appeared in 106 games over an eight-year career, making 101 starts. The Raiders originally selected Veldheer in the third round of the 2010 draft out of Hillsdale. He’s spent the bulk of his career at left tackle before shifting to the right side of the line last season.

The veteran offensive lineman is set to enter the final season of a five-year, $35MM deal signed with the Cardinals and is slated to have a cap hit of $10.16MM for the upcoming season. The Broncos entered the day with $21.28MM in available cap space, which ranked No. 12 in the NFL.

The deal creates $3.25MM in dead cap space for the Cardinals but does open up $6.9MM in available space. Newly-signed Andre Smith will likely take over at right tackle for the Cardinals with John Wetzel taking over as the team’s starting swing tackle. The Cardinals also helped beef up their offensive line this offseason by adding right guard Justin Pugh in free agency.

Cardinals Sign CB Bene Benwikere To 1-Year Deal

March 23rd, 2018 at 4:52pm CST by Ryan Posner

The Cardinals added a bit of depth to their secondary Friday by signing cornerback Bene Benwikere to a one-year deal, per the team’s official website. Benwikere is familiar with new Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks. The Panthers selected him in the fifth round of the 2014 draft and he spent the first three seasons of his career in Carolina. 

Benwikere, 26, appeared in 12 games for the Cowboys last season. He also spent time on the practice squads for the Bengals, Dolphins and Packers after the Panthers released him early in the 2016 season.

The Cardinals have plenty of holes to fill in their secondary this offseason, with Tramon Williams and Tyrann Mathieu off the roster and Tyvon Branch and Justin Bethel still unsigned as unrestricted free agents. The team also still has interest in free-agent cornerback Marcus Cooper, according to Mike Jurecki of Arizona Sports Station 98.7 FM (on Twitter). Cooper played with the Cardinals in 2016 and was cut by the Bears last week.

In three seasons with the Panthers, Benwikere appeared in 27 games and made 14 starts, along with two starts in the 2014 postseason. The Panthers cut ties with Benwikere after Julio Jones collected 300 receiving yards in a game against the Panthers in October 2016.

Cardinals To Host CB Marcus Cooper

March 23rd, 2018 at 9:30am CST by Dallas Robinson

The Cardinals will host free agent cornerback Marcus Cooper on Friday, as first reported by John Gambadoro of ArizonaSports.com (Twitter link).

Cooper should be familiar to Arizona management after spending the 2016 campaign in the desert. That season still marks the 28-year-old Cooper’s only season as a full-time starter, as he lined up opposite Patrick Peterson for 13 games. While saw 83% playtime, Cooper wasn’t all that successful, as he ranked just 62nd among 84 qualifiers in Football Outsiders‘ success rate.

Despite that lackluster performance, Cooper garnered a three-year, $16MM deal from the Bears last spring. Expected to be a starter, Cooper only played on a quarter of Chicago’s defensive snaps (fourth-most among Bears CBs), collecting 15 tackles and three passes defensed during that time. He was released last week, and hasn’t generated any other known interest at this point.

The Cardinals, meanwhile, are (once again) in need of a corner to play next to Peterson, as veteran Tramon Williams — who played exceedingly well in 2017 — signed a two-year deal with the Packers on Thursday. Justin Bethel, and C.J. Goodwin are both unrestricted free agents, leaving former third-rounder Brandon Williams, who played just a single defensive snap last year, as Arizona’s projected No. 2 cornerback.

Cardinals To Host CB Robert McClain

March 22nd, 2018 at 8:24pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Free agent cornerback Robert McClain will meet with the Cardinals on Thursday, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle first reported Arizona’s interest in McClain.

McClain would be a natural fit with the Cardinals for several reasons, with coaching familiarity being a primary factor. McClain played for the Panthers in 2015-16 when now-Arizona head coach Steve Wilks served as Carolina’s defensive backs coach. Additionally, the Cardinals are in need of defensive back depth after releasing Tyrann Mathieu and losing Tramon Williams to the Packers. Tyvon Branch, Justin Bethel, and C.J. Goodwin, meanwhile, are still on the open market.

Typically a slot corner, McClain saw the most playing time of his career in 2017, as he was on the field for 75% of the Buccaneers’ defensive snaps. In 14 games (nine starts), the 29-year-old McClain posted a career-high three interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown against now-Cardinals quarterback Mike Glennon.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/22/18

March 22nd, 2018 at 7:31pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Today’s minor moves:

Arizona Cardinals

Los Angeles Rams

Oakland Raiders

Pittsburgh Steelers

Packers To Sign CB Tramon Williams

March 22nd, 2018 at 3:29pm CST by Zachary Links

The Packers have agreed to sign cornerback Tramon Williams, according to former teammate James Jones (on Twitter). Williams, who spent the first eight seasons of his career in Green Bay, returns on a two-year deal. 

Williams was a crucial part of the Packers’ Super Bowl victory in the 2010 season. He had three interceptions during that playoff run and came up with a critical stop late in the championship game to seal the win for Green Bay.

Williams, 35, is coming off of one of the best seasons of his career. The Cardinals long searched for a quality cornerback to pair with star Patrick Peterson and Williams did an admirable job in that role. Pro Football Focus ranked Williams ninth amongst all corners last year and he finished 23rd in Football Outsiders’ success rate and 18th in yards per pass allowed. As a whole, the Cardinals ranked sixth in DVOA against opposing No. 2 wide receivers. They’ll now have to rebuild their secondary after losing Williams and parting ways with Tyrann Mathieu.

The Packers have been eager for an upgrade at cornerback and recently tried to steal restricted free agent Kyle Fuller away from the rival Bears. Fuller would have been a better long-term pickup, but Williams should still be a contributor in the short term.

Contract Details: Jordy, Glennon, Incognito

March 21st, 2018 at 8:11pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Let’s take a look at the most recent new contracts and restructures around the NFL:

New Contracts

  • Jordy Nelson, WR (Raiders): Two years, $14.2MM. $13MM guaranteed (Twitter link via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com).
  • Mike Glennon, QB (Cardinals): Two-year, $8MM deal contains void years in 2020 and 2021. $4MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com).
  • Spencer Long, C (Jets): Four years, $27.5MM. $6MM guaranteed (link via Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap).
  • Jaron Brown, WR (Seahawks): Two years, $5.5MM. $2.75MM guaranteed. $1.95MM signing bonus. $750K available annually via receptions, yards, and touchdowns incentives (Twitter link via Brady Henderson of ESPN.com).
  • Christian Jones, LB (Lions): Two years, $6.35MM. $2.8MM guaranteed. $1.75MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com).
  • Kyle Wilber, LB (Raiders): Two years, $2.75MM. $1.4MM guaranteed (Twitter link via Adam Caplan of SiriusXM).
  • Billy Turner, OL (Broncos): One year, $2MM. $750K guaranteed. $500K signing bonus (Twitter link via Mike Klis of 9News).

Restructures

  • Richie Incognito, G (Bills): 2018 base salary reduced from $6.325MM to $3.65MM. Earned $1MM bonus. Bills created $1.675MM in cap space (Twitter link via Yates).
  • John Jerry, G (Giants): 2019 contract season eliminated. 2018 base salary reduced from $3.05MM to $1.075MM, $525K of which is guaranteed. $400K roster bonus added and paid on 3/21. Per-game roster bonuses increased from $250K to $500K (all Twitter links via Dan Duggan of NJ.com). Giants created $525K in cap space.

Contract Details: A. Smith, Pugh, Curry, ASJ

March 20th, 2018 at 8:31pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Let’s take a look at the details of a few recently signed NFL contracts:

AFC

  • Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE (Jaguars): Two years, $10MM. $4MM guaranteed. $3.21MM signing bonus. $500K 2019 option bonus. $500K annually available via catch, playoff, and touchdown incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Adrian Clayborn, DE (Patriots): Two years, $10MM. $5.5MM guaranteed. $4MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Ben Volin of the Boston Globe).
  • Albert Wilson, WR (Dolphins): Three years, $24MMM. $14.45MM guaranteed. $4.5MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Marcus Gilchrist, S (Raiders): One year, $4MM. $3.85MM guaranteed. $1.85MM signing bonus. $1MM available via playtime, interceptions, and Pro Bowl incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Tramaine Brock, CB (Broncos): One year, $3MM. Fully guaranteed. $1MM signing bonus. $1MM available via playtime incentives (Twitter link via Mike Klis of 9News).
  • Seantrel Henderson, T (Texans): One year, $4MM. $1MM guaranteed. $500K signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).

NFC

  • Alex Smith, QB (Redskins): Four years, $94MM. $55MM guaranteed. $27MM signing bonus (Twitter links via Tom Pelissero of NFL.com and Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com).
  • Justin Pugh, OL (Cardinals): Five years, $45.025MM. $15.75MM guaranteed. $10MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle).
  • Vinny Curry, DE (Buccaneers): Three years, $23MM. $6.5MM guaranteed (Twitter link via Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times).
  • Zach Brown, LB (Redskins): Three years, $21MM. $10MM guaranteed. $4.5MM signing bonus. $1MM annually available in Pro Bowl, All-Pro incentives (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Ed Dickson, TE (Seahawks): Three years, $10.7MM. $3.6MM guaranteed. $2.6MM signing bonus. $1.1MM annually available via catch, yards, and Pro Bowl incentive (Twitter link via Wilson).
  • Aaron Lynch, LB/DE (Bears): One year, $4MM. $1.25MM guaranteed. $1MM signing bonus (Twitter link via Wilson).

Xavier Williams To Sign With Chiefs

March 20th, 2018 at 4:33pm CST by Zachary Links

Xavier Williams is changing teams. The Cardinals have declined to match the offer sheet on the defensive lineman, clearing the way for him to sign with the Chiefs, according to Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star. 

Williams, 26, attended Grandview High School, which is roughly 30 minutes outside of Kansas City. He entered the league as an undrafted free agent, but he eventually became a regular sub for the Cardinals. Last season, he was in the rotation as he played on about 24% of the team’s snaps. The advanced metrics indicate that he could be capable of more as he graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 42 interior defender out of 122 qualified players.

The Chiefs have a pair of defensive tackles – Bennie Logan and Stefan Charles – in unrestricted free agency, so there’s a chance for Williams to compete for the top job at nose tackle. Jarvis Jenkins, who was re-signed earlier this month, figures to have the edge on that gig, however. Restricted free agent Rakeem Nunez-Roches  also figures to factor into the equation after being tendered at the original-round level.

Falcons Meet With CB Justin Bethel

March 20th, 2018 at 12:20pm CST by Zachary Links

Cornerback Justin Bethel will meet with the Falcons on Tuesday, according to a release from the team. This is Bethel’s first known free agent visit of this cycle. 

[RELATED: Falcons’ Depth Chart, Via Roster Resource]

Bethel earned three consecutive Pro Bowl nods from 2013-2015, mainly for his special teams work. At different times over the last three seasons, the Cardinals have tried to use Bethel as their No. 2 cornerback opposite star Patrick Peterson. The results were mixed, at best, though he does have four interceptions since 2015.

The Falcons have been pretty quiet in free agency thus far with with guard Brandon Fusco representing their only signing. If Bethel comes to Atlanta, it’ll be largely for special teams purposes with some reps behind starters Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford.

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