This offseason, I took control of the Arizona Cardinals in GM Mode on StickToTheModel with a focus on reshaping the roster, building depth across the defense, and creating long-term cap flexibility.
Here’s how the offseason played out.
The Big Picture
• Starting Cap Space: $48.1M
• Final Cap Space: $77.0M
• Players Cut: 3
• Contracts Restructured: 2
• Extensions: 1
• Trades Made: 6
• Free Agents Signed: 9
• Draft Picks: 16
• Overall Grade: A+
Arizona stayed aggressive throughout the offseason while finishing with over $77M in cap space.
Cuts
The Cardinals cleared space by moving on from several veterans.
James Conner
Cap Savings: +$7.9M
Sean Murphy-Bunting
Cap Savings: +$7.4M
Evan Brown
Cap Savings: +$5.0M
Restructures
Two contracts were adjusted to create additional cap flexibility.
• Josh Sweat (+$6.5M)
• Trey McBride (+$2.6M)
Extension
Michael Wilson
Arizona extended Wilson to keep one of their young offensive playmakers in place long term.
Trades
The Cardinals made several aggressive trades to add draft capital and reshape the roster.
Sent Kyler Murray to LV
Received 2026 Pick #67
Sent Jacoby Brissett to NYJ
Received 2026 Pick #139
Sent Budda Baker to KC
Received 2026 Pick #168
Sent Hjalte Froholdt to LV
Received 2026 Pick #102, Pick #175
Sent Garrett Williams to CIN
Received 2026 Pick #72
Free Agency
Arizona added multiple starters and depth pieces across the roster.
Rasheed Walker — OT
2yr / $15.9M APY
Tyler Linderbaum — IOL
2yr / $15.5M APY
Jaquan Brisker — S
2yr / $14.8M APY
Quay Walker — LB
3yr / $10.5M APY
Isaac Seumalo — IOL
1yr / $10.0M APY
Boye Mafe — EDGE
1yr / $9.4M APY
D.J. Reader — IDL
1yr / $4.6M APY
Malik Willis — QB
1yr / $5.4M APY
Tyler Allgeier — RB
1yr / $3.0M APY
These moves rebuilt the trenches, added defensive playmakers, and brought in offensive depth.
Draft Class
Arizona used its large draft class to add depth at nearly every position.
Round 1 — Pick 9
Rueben Bain Jr (DL3T, Miami)
Round 1 — Pick 30
Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee)
Round 2 — Pick 34
Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
Round 3 — Pick 67
Malachi Lawrence (EDGE, UCF)
Round 3 — Pick 72
Emmett Johnson (RB, Nebraska)
Round 3 — Pick 82
Deontae Lawson (ILB, Alabama)
Round 3 — Pick 97
Gracen Halton (DL3T, Oklahoma)
Round 4 — Pick 102
Treydan Stukes (CB, Arizona)
Round 4 — Pick 104
Drew Allar (QB, Penn State)
Round 4 — Pick 130
Kage Casey (OT, Boise State)
Round 4 — Pick 139
Sam Roush (TE, Stanford)
Round 5 — Pick 142
Ar’maj Reed-Adams (OG, Texas A&M)
Round 5 — Pick 168
Eric Rivers (WRS, Georgia Tech)
Round 5 — Pick 175
Jaeden Roberts (OG, Alabama)
Round 6 — Pick 183
Lorenzo Styles Jr (S, Ohio State)
Round 7 — Pick 216
Zavion Thomas (WR, LSU)
Final Take
The Cardinals took a bold approach to the offseason, trading veterans, rebuilding both lines, and adding a massive draft class while finishing with $77M in cap space.
Run Your Own NFL Offseason
I built this roster using GM Mode on StickToTheModel, where you can run your own NFL team, manage the salary cap, make trades, sign free agents, and run the draft.
Try it yourself here:
https://sticktothemodel.com/
