Cardinals receive average grade for NFL free agency work so far

NFL franchises have made many moves so far into free agency, which got underway March 9, and the Arizona Cardinals have earned an average grade for their haul.

Pro Football Focus handed the team a C+, and for how the team is shaping up as a whole, CBS Sports gave them a C.

The Cardinals have added 13 players as of Friday, including running back Tyler Allgeier, quarterback Gardner Minshew and three offensive linemen.

PFF’s Gordon McGuinness graded Allgeier, wide receiver Kendrick Bourne and safety Andrew Wingard under the “average” label, whereas offensive lineman Isaac Seumalo was the lone “above average” candidate.

The Cardinals were awarded an A from ESPN’s Seth Walder for the standalone signing of Seumalo, a former Pittsburgh Steeler who inked a three-year deal.

The Cardinals signed a win rate star at a value price. Seumalo recorded pass block win rate and run block win rates in the 98th and 95th percentiles at his position, respectively, last season as a Steeler. And it was not a unique year. In 2024, he was in the 89th percentile and 90th percentile in the two metrics, and was in the top quartile in 2023, too. … Assuming he sticks at left guard, Seumalo would be a huge upgrade over (the recently released) Evan Brown, who ranked in the third percentile in run block win rate last season.

McGuinness looked more favorably upon the rest of the NFC West, giving the Los Angeles Rams an A, San Francisco 49ers a B and reigning Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks a B-.

CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell in his teamwide grading flatly said Arizona has “entered the 2027 NFL Draft tank race” with their acquisitions and those it has retained, such as running back Bam Knight and defensive lineman L.J. Collier.

However, Podell explained the Cardinals passed his test with a C because of additions like Seumalo and Allgeier.

He and Allgeier ensure Arizona’s strong receiving trio of All-Pro tight end Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson will continue to develop positively, but the team’s quarterback position guarantees there won’t be much winning going on. That allows for an ideal setup for whoever the team drafts to be their new face-of-the-franchise quarterback next year.

LaFleur’s squad will essentially be taking a gap year in 2026, but the veterans added will allow for the team to be in a great place to plug in a rookie quarterback in 2027.

Arizona was recently active in the player market, signing offensive lineman Olisaemeka Udoh on Friday and tight end Teagan Quitoriano Wednesday.

Offensive line, despite the veteran additions, remains an area of need for the Cardinals this offseason with Miami’s Francis Mauigoa having been linked to the team 62 times in mock drafts.

Related

What have the Cardinals done so far this free agency?Cardinals' biggest roster needs left to address this offseason‘It’s about the people’: Larry Fitzgerald delivers powerful Hall of Fame speechLarry Fitzgerald gets his forever threads in touching gold jacket dinner, moves closer to Hall of Fame immortalizationCarson Beck’s debut reignited intrigue surrounding Arizona CardinalsHall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald a true GOAT amongst GOATs