Arizona Cardinals free agency 2017: Top 5 targets
By James Dudko
The Arizona Cardinals’ top five targets in 2017 NFL Free Agency, including wide receiver Brandon Marshall.
There aren’t many teams in the NFC with more holes to fill this offseason than the Arizona Cardinals. Head coach Bruce Arians and general manager Steve Keim must use 2017 NFL Free Agency to shop wisely for help at guard, center, inside linebacker and wide receiver.
Some extra bodies would also be welcome in the secondary. Read on for a list of the five players the Cards must target on March 9:
5. JC Tretter
In his assessment of who each NFC team should pursue in free agency, Pete Prisco of CBS Sports chose Green Bay Packers center JC Tretter for Arizona. It’s impossible to fault Prisco’s logic, since Tretter’s versatility and sound technique would find a natural home in the desert.
The Cards need to load up on quality offensive linemen in the veteran market, after struggling everywhere up front last season. Arizona’s problems in blocking were most obvious along the interior, though, where there continues to be lingering question marks at both guard and center.
The latter position is where Tretter accelerated his development with the Pack in 2016. A former graduate of Cornell, the 26-year-old is a savvy pivot man who identifies pressure looks well and uses keen instincts and nifty footwork to win his battles at the heart of the trenches.
It will be important for interested suitors to asses Tretter’s recovery from knee surgery in January, a procedure confirmed by Packers had coach Mike McCarthy, per Wes Hodkiewicz of the team’s official website.
But if Tretter passes the eye test, then he’s a player the Cardinals have to go after.