As soon as the NFL lockout ends, rosters across the league will go through rapid changes.

Trades will be made, players will be cut and free agents will be signed all in a very short time frame. It will be fast, confusing, chaotic and significant.

While most of the Cardinals offseason talk has been focused around the acquisition of a quarterback, there are a few players on defense that may be cut to free up some money.

According to Pro Football Talk, Joey Porter and Gerald Hayes are among a list of 16 defensive players who could be cut before the season.

11. Joey Porter, Cardinals LB: The only way the Cardinals could make last year’s signing of Porter worse? Doubling down and paying him big money again. Arizona has the young guys to let him go.

15. Gerald Hayes, Cardinals LB: $4.25 million is too much to pay for just another linebacker.

If the Cardinals do decide to part ways with the linebacking duo it should not surprise anyone as the Cardinals defense was not very good a season ago.

The Cardinals gave up 373.6 yards and 27.12 points per game last season and while cutting Porter and Hayes will not solve all the defensive problems in the Valley it may provide the cap space necessary to get started.

Follow @AZSports