ESPN.com: Cardinals one of 10 teams facing most roster turnover
Feb 26, 2016, 7:00 PM | Updated: Feb 27, 2016, 4:24 pm
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) looks to pass as tackle Bobby Massie (70) blocks San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 29, 2015. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
(AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
The Arizona Cardinals are going to come back next season as a contender in the NFC, but there will be some much needed work done this offseason.
ESPN.com’s Mike Sando totaled the snaps for all the cut players and potential UFAs for each team and the Cardinals finished tenth on the list.
The 15 players factoring into Arizona’s equation for these rankings average close to 30 years old. Dwight Freeney is the oldest at 36. The offensive line could see significant turnover with Lyle Sendlein, Bobby Massie and Ted Larsen all scheduled to reach free agency. Those three combined for 2,501 snaps last season. The Cardinals could turn to recently drafted linemen for replacement snaps.
The offensive line has been an area Arizona has focused on in the past two offseasons, both in the draft and free agency.
Jonathan Cooper, who was selected in the first round in 2013, was expected to play a large role after being selected seventh overall, but a major injury in training camp of his rookie season was a huge setback.
D.J Humphries, a 2015 first-round pick, was also far behind after his rookie season, when he failed to dress in any games in what was called a “redshirt season” by some.
Cooper is projected to play at right guard and Humphries at right tackle.
The left side of the offensive line is locked in, given the amount of money the Cardinals spent on left tackle Jared Veldheer and left guard Mike Iupati.
As for the pass rush, general manager Steve Keim has been adamant in his acceptance of it being a need and that he will address it this offseason.
The Los Angeles Rams of the NFC West are No. 1 on the list.
