Cardinals Mailbag: MHJ, Prime Cut Candidates + More
ARIZONA -- We're officially one week removed from the Super Bowl, and now the 2024 offseason moves forward for all 32 teams - the Arizona Cardinals included.
Cardinals fans are awfully excited to get this offseason going, and with draft ammo and cap space aplenty, there's good reason for that.
Bird Gang also have plenty of questions as the Cardinals navigate the 2024 offseason - let's break some down:
Q: Is it actually Marvin Harrison Jr. or bust in the draft?
A: Not quite.
Look, I'm very much on the MHJ train. If he's there at No. 4, I think the Cardinals run to the podium. Harrison is the rare "fits the need while also being the best player available" narrative in that case, and quite frankly the "generational" tabs on him are warranted.
That being said, Harrison absolutely is not the only solid player available for Arizona at the top of the draft. Even looking at his position, guys such as LSU's Malik Nabers or Washington's Rome Odunze will go early while other positions of need such as the offensive/defensive line could be addressed.
Harrison is the prized possession, sure. But the team has so many holes and should he be gone before No. 4, the Cardinals are still sure to land somebody who can help Jonathan Gannon and co. turn this ship around.
Q: What position gets upgraded the most in free agency?
A: My best guess is the money will most likely be spent on the defensive side of the ball along the defensive line or in the secondary. The Cardinals desperately need "guys" at both and other positions such as tackle and wideout can be addressed rather early in the draft.
Q: Who is Arizona's prime cut candidate this offseason?
A: There's not a ton of roster trimming the Cardinals have to do, but at this point in time it looks like D.J. Humphries might be the prime person.
He was already a candidate prior to his season-ending knee injury due to his age and slight drop in play, and the Cardinals can save around $9 million in cap by cutting him according to Spotrac.
It just makes a lot of sense to part ways with Humphries - which sucks - but that's the business.
The only other player with a significant cap number would be Budda Baker, but if the team didn't part ways with him last year when they could've gotten more value for the safety, it's tough to see them parting ways now.
Q: Any chance the Cardinals reveal throwback uniforms this season?
A: I'd be a big fan - especially the ones with the state flag on the sleeves?
Whether it actually happens or not - completely unsure. But it's safe to say they'd be a HIT among fans.
Q: Do you think the Cardinals can make the playoffs next season?
A: I think they can be much better than last season.
A full season with Kyler Murray (after a full offseason in his offense) with hopefully upgraded positions across the board and another year with the same coaching staff can only do good for the Cardinals.
Making the postseason might be a stretch, but Jonathan Gannon had those dudes in games where they simply shouldn't have been in 2023. It might be the Tad Lasso effect, but there's plenty of reason to believe.
Q: Thoughts on Kliff Kingsbury joining the Commanders?
A: Some guys are better coordinators than head coaches, and who knows, Kliff could indeed fit that mold. He arrives back to the NFL with prior head coaching experience and is going to a Commanders squad that will have talented players around what's expected to be a good rookie quarterback.
I don't hate or love it. Kingsbury obviously wasn't cut to be Arizona's head coach at that point in time, but people in the facility raved about his work ethic and I liked out interactions. Rooting for him.
