In this offseason for the Arizona Cardinals, Monti Ossenfort has proved why he is the best leader to change the organization for the better. The Cardinals are in a much better position to succeed this season than we could have ever imagined.
With the way the Cardinals have performed the last two seasons, they are being overlooked and not talked about enough. However, that is the way it should be while the Cardinals prepare for this season. They will be a surprising team in the NFL that turns a lot of heads with everything they have done.
When free agency started back in March, the Cardinals heavily addressed the defensive side of the ball early on but managed to bring in key players on offense. Ossenfort has been big on not overpaying and seeing what the value is in each situation. There are three free agent Cardinals signees that Ossenfort signed to the Cardinals and there are reasons to believe that they will outplay their contract in 2024.
Here are the three new Cardinals that will overachieve in 2024.
OT Jonah Williams
The Cardinals made the tough, yet necessary decision to release longtime franchise offensive tackle D.J. Humphries. Almost immediately after the news of Humphries being released became public, Ossenfort signed for Cincinnati Bengal Jonah Williams to a two-year deal. It would then be announced that Williams will play right tackle this season, which will move Paris Johnson over to the left side.
Williams has had his fair share of injuries, but he brings valuable experience to the Cardinals. He was the Bengals’ left tackle during their Super Bowl run and made the switch from left tackle to right tackle last season. He gets a fresh start with a new team and doesn’t need to worry about any immediate competition. However, the Cardinals drafted offensive tackle Christian Jones in the fifth-round this year so there is potential competition for next season. Williams will need to outperform his contract to avoid any potential serious competition next season in Arizona.
WR Zay Jones
Follwoing the NFL Draft, the Cardinals signed veteran wide receiver Zay Jones to a one-year deal, in which Jones had chose the Cardinals over teams like the Titans, Cowboys and Chiefs. Jones spent the last two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars where he was able to find the most success he has had since being drafted in 2017. After the Jaguars released Jones, this gave the Cardinals a great option at bringing in a veteran into the wide receiver room.
Jones has a prove-it deal with the Cardinals in 2024, but he can help with not only being productive, but also mentoring the younger guys like Greg Dortch and Michael Wilson, both whom saw real action for the first time last season. In addition, Jones is a perfect slot receiver where if Kyler Murray is not able to hit is first two looks, Jones would be an excellent security blanket and can do some serious damage to opposing defenses.
While there will be a good amount of options for Murray in the passing game, Jones has an advantage as the veteran to be the trusted receiver that Murray goes to in crucial moments.
DT Justin Jones
One of the bigger free agent signings the Cardinals made was bringing in defensive tackle Justin Jones, who was previously with the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Chargers. Jones signed a three-year deal worth over $30 million and will be expected to bring a run-stopping presence in the middle of the Cardinals defense. Arizona was the worst defense in terms of stopping the run last season so there was no doubt that Ossenfort needed to address this pressing need. In addition to Jones, the Cardinals signed Bilal Nichols to pair with Jones.
Jones will need to show Cardinals fans that Arizona made the right financial choice with him. Committing over $30 million to Jones shows that the Cardinals believe in him and what he can bring. Jonathan Gannon and Nick Rallis now have the chance to improve the run defense led by Jones. The Cardinals should take a big jump up in rankings in terms of overall defense this coming season.
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