Pro Football Focus: Cardinals earn B+ grade for offseason moves
Mar 25, 2016, 7:05 PM | Updated: Mar 26, 2016, 3:52 pm
New England Patriots defensive end Chandler Jones (95) sacks Tennessee Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger (7) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
With the key additions of guard Evan Mathis, safety Tyvon Branch and defensive end Chandler Jones, along with the retention of tight end Jermaine Gresham, Pro Football Focus has given the Arizona Cardinals a B+ for its free agency grade.
The biggest move the Cardinals made was acquiring Chandler Jones in exchange for G Jonathan Cooper and a second-round pick, which bolsters their edge-rush opposite second-year player Markus Golden. Jones is a capable run-defender, and last season racked up 68 pressures (including playoffs), more than any player on Arizona’s defense has had since 2013.
PFF added that Mathis is expected to replace Cooper and unsigned guard Ted Larson.
Mathis has been the highest-rated guard over the last five seasons according to PFF, and paring him with Mike Iupati, the Cardinals now have two of last season’s top three run-blockers at the position.
PFF added that Branch has had durability issues. According to Pro Football Focus, he’s logged less than 800 snaps over the past three seasons, compared to over 2,500 snaps for Johnson.
Other key losses for the Cardinals besides Cooper and Johnson include linebacker Dwight Freeney and offensive tackle Bobby Massie. Although Freeney has indicated he wants to play, he has yet sign with a team.
The Cardinals’ B+ grade is tops in the NFC West as the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks each received a C-, while the San Francisco 49ers received a D+.
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