Arizona Cardinals sign 4 exclusive free agents for 2018
Apr 3, 2018, 9:32 AM | Updated: 9:33 am
Arizona Cardinals general manager Steve Keim watches Cardinals players warm up prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Oakland Raiders Friday, Aug. 12, 2016, in Glendale, Ariz. The Raiders defeated the Cardinals 31-10. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The Arizona Cardinals have officially signed four exclusive free agents for the 2018 season, the team announced Tuesday morning.
After tendering the four in March, the Cardinals inked cornerback C.J. Goodwin, running back Elijhaa Penny, defensive lineman Olsen Pierre and offensive lineman John Wetzel to one-year deals.
Goodwin joined the Cardinals last season after he was claimed off waivers from the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15. As an undrafted rookie free agent in 2014, Goodwin spent his first two seasons in the NFL on the practice squad for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons.
He made the transition from wide receiver to cornerback before the 2016 season, playing in 24 games for the Falcons over the course of two years primarily on special teams.
Penny joined the Cardinals in 2016 as an undrafted rookie free agent from the University of Idaho, spending his rookie season on the practice squad. In 2017, Penny played in all 16 games for the Cardinals after injuries plagued the Cardinals’ run-game.
He rushed for 124 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries. He also had four catches for 38 yards.
Like Penny, Pierre joined the Cardinals as an undrafted rookie free agent. He spent the duration of the of his rookie season on the Cardinal’s practice squad, and was inactive in all 16 games during the 2016 season.
However, he found his way to the field in 2017. In 14 games for the Cardinals, Pierre recorded 32 tackles and 5.5 sacks, the second-most on the team.
Wetzel, the most tenured member of the Cardinals to receive the offer Friday, joined the league in 2013 as an undrafted free agent with the Oakland Raiders.
He spent his first three years in the league on the Cowboys and Colts practice squads before joining the Cardinals’ in 2015.
Wetzel started eight games for the Cardinals in 2016, making an appearance in all 16. In 2017, he again played in all 16 games for the Cardinals, making 11 starts at both right and left tackle.
Along with the four, Arizona had a total of eight exclusive free agents on the roster from last season, including cornerback Ronald Zamort, offensive linemen Vinston Painter and Daniel Munyer, and tight end Ifeanyi Momah.
