Arizona Cardinals using new offseason strategy with D-line in 2026
· Yahoo Sports
The Arizona Cardinals have done things a little differently this offseason when it comes to the defensive line. It has been a priority now for three consecutive offseasons.
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However, this offseason, at least through the first two weeks of free agency, the strategy is different.
2024-2025: Using big resources on the D-line
The Cardinals chose to use heavy capital on the defensive line the last two offseasons.
In 2024, they signed Justin Jones to a three-year contract averaging more than $10 million a year and Bilal Nichols to a three-year deal worth $7 million a year. Then, they used a first-round draft pick on Darius Robinson.
Last year, they signed Dalvin Tomlinson to a two-year deal worth more than $14 million per year and Calais Campbell for one season for $6 million. They drafted Walter Nolen in the first round.
However, the result has been disappointing. Jones played three games in two seasons before getting released. Nichols played in only 10 in two seasons and was released this offseason.
Robinson and Nolen both suffered through injury-riddled rookie seasons, and Robinson hasn't done much statistically yet.
Tomlinson was disappointing and cut after one season. Campbell, though, was worth it, although the defense was still bad.
2026: Adding bodies to the D-line
Rather than using heavy capital to try and improve the defensive line, they have opted to add bodies.
They re-signed L.J. Collier. They signed Roy Lopez after a season away with the Detroit Lions to a two-year deal. They also added Jonah Williams and Andrew Billings to small one-year deals.
Lopez is a solid addition, but he isn't a difference maker. Williams, Billings and Collier are rotational depth who deserve jobs but don't really improve the defense.
As for the draft, it seems unlikely we will see a defensive lineman taken in the first two rounds.
A lot is being placed on the shoulders or Robinson and Nolen in terms of being playmakers.
If they don't improve their production (and we don't know how long it will take for Nolen to recover from whatever knee injury that ended his season), this unit is, at best, a little below average.
Considering they failed with the throwing resources option, it makes sense to change gears. After all, we know that doing the same thing while expecting different results is the definition of insanity.
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This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Arizona Cardinals using new offseason strategy with D-line in 2026