Assessment of Day 4 of free agency for the Arizona Cardinals

Scoops on Dalvin Tomlinson, an OL signing and a UFA CB visit

The speculation from local and national pundits is that the Arizona Cardinals are not looking to make any other splash signings in free agency after landing DE Josh Sweat and DT Dalvin Tomlinson to multi-year deals.

Scoops on Dalvin Tomlinson

Our great friend SB Nation friend, Barry Shuck, of the Cleveland Browns’ Dawgs By Nature wrote this assessment about Dalvin Tomlinson’s 2-year stint in Ohio:

NFL free agency: Former Browns DT Dalvin Tomlinson finds big contract, quick work – Dawgs By Nature

It is difficult to grade nose tackles because of how it is their primary job in run support to anchor the A or B gap double team —-which as Barry Shuck attests, Dalvin does well. It’s getting off the double teams to make tackles that has been his challenge. PFF tries to account for gap integrity and despite DT’s missing 7 tackles while combining for 26 in 2024, his run defense grade was a solid 64.2. He does need to tackle better versus the run. However, on many occasions, by anchoring the double team it is his job to keep the linebackers clean so that they can make the tackles.

Where DT’s game has blossomed is in his interior pass rushing production. If you look at the right-hand chart in this tweet, DT’s QB Pressure Rate and Havoc Rate (Havoc = Sacks + QB Hits), his QB Pressure rate, at roughly 11.8%, was 11th best in 2024 for DIs and his Havoc rate (3 sacks + 21 QB hits = 24) was 5th best. That’s what makes Dalvin Tomlinson extra exciting.

L.J. Collier’s Contract:

It’s at a bargain salary and with just $1.5M guaranteed this suggests that if he gets beat out by a rookie, it won’t be at a prohibitive cost and would pave the way for the team to hold on to LJC if he clears waivers and be signed to the practice squad.

Cardinals Sign former Seahawks and Bears offensive lineman Jake Curhan (6-6, 330, California, 5th season in NFL)

If you just look at Jake Curhan’s PFF grades over the course of his 998 snaps in the NFL, they are an eyesore. I am still trying to discover Curhan’s connection to the Cardinals but have yet to distinguish one. My guess is that Justin Frye took strong notice of him while coaching against Cal while at UCLA. At Cal Curhan was considered one of the best tackles in the Pac 12 and made the Outland Trophy watchlist in 2020. His primary position at Cal was RT.

This past season, Jake Curhan played 288 snaps for the Bears and his best snaps appeared to be at LG as evidence in this video:

Have to appreciate JC’s physical brand of football. Plus, he’s, as they say around my parts, “wikid smaht!” He was a three-time Pac 12, All-Academic honoree while at Cal Berkley.

Jake Curhan could very well be the kind of pet project that Justin Frye relishes.

Curhan was signed at the veteran minimum, which for a 5th year player is $1.17M.

Cardinals hosted UFA CB Asante Samuel Jr. for a visit.

Asante Samuel Jr. (5-10, 180, Florida St., 4.4 41 40, 35” vertical), a 2nd round pick from Florida St. in 2021, hit the league by storm when he intercepted three passes in the Chargers’ 2022 Wild Card loss to the Jaguars. But he hit a wall in 2024 when, in Week 4, he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury. Pass coverage is his forte; tackling is his weakness, which some scouts fear could be exacerbated by his shoulder issues, if they are chronic. Of course, Asante Samuel Jr. is an NFL legacy, as his dad, a former All-Pro and two-time Super Bowl winner with the New England Patriots. Monti Ossenfort connection.

MHJ Jerseys Now on the Market

Speaking of NFL legacies, Marvin Harrison Jr. has settled his lawsuit with Fanatics as detailed in this New York Times article:

Cardinals’ Marvin Harrison Jr., Fanatics settle lawsuit after nearly year-long dispute – The Athletic (nytimes.com)

How many of you are ordering one?

Your thoughts on Dalvin Tomlinson, L.J. Collier, Jack Curhan and Assante Samuel Jr.?