Heading into free agency Arizona is in a good position to make additions to its roster with more than $70 million in cap space. One big area of need for the Cardinals to address this offseason is pass rush along the interior defensive line.
Luckily for them, this is a good offseason to need a pass rush as there are a lot of good options at defensive tackle in free agency and the draft.
Here are three defensive tackles the Cardinals could target in free agency.
Osa Odighizuwa (Dallas Cowboys)
Osa Odighizuwa checks a lot of the boxes of a free agent who will command a big contract at defensive tackle.
He has many seasons of strong pass rush production, he has stayed healthy throughout his time in the NFL thus far, and he projects well to continue to produce as he doesn’t turn 27 until August.
Odighizuwa is someone who the Cardinals could rely upon to play a lot of snaps and provide a major boost to their pass rush.
If the Cardinals are looking to dish out a big deal this offseason, Odighizuwa should be high on their priority list.
Milton Williams (Philadelphia Eagles)
Not many players made more money for themselves with their performance last season than Milton Williams. Since coming into the league in 2021, he’s been a good piece in the Eagles defensive tackle rotation, but last season, he really stepped up his pass-rush production.
This was on display throughout the playoffs most particularly on a strip sack of Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl.
The Cardinals would have to pay up to land Williams as he will likely command around $20 million per year on a three- to four-year deal this offseason, but given their need for a high-level pass-rusher, it would be a worthwhile gamble.
Levi Onwuzurike (Detroit Lions)
While Odighizuwa and Williams are two of the best pass-rushers in this free-agency class they will both command big contracts. Levi Onwuzurike is someone the Cardinals could bring in at a lower price as PFF currently projects him to land a two-year, $16.5 million deal.
Bringing in starting quality, productive players without breaking the bank often fly under the radar but those types of moves are integral in building a roster.
Onwuzurike doesn’t have the multi-year production to command a long-term deal for big money this offseason, but he is coming off a highly productive season and he can be a valuable piece in a team’s pass rush next season for a good price.