TEMPE, Ariz. -- NFL free agency is off and running, and we're keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2024 offseason, with analysis from our NFL Nation reporters and grades from our experts. The new league year began on Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET, which means free agent signings are official after that. The first round of the 2024 NFL draft begins April 25 on ESPN.
Here's a breakdown of every 2024 NFL free agent signing by the Arizona Cardinals and how each will impact the upcoming season:
Jonah Williams, OT
The Cardinals signed the former Bengals lineman to a two-year deal.
What it means: Williams will be a starter for the Cardinals -- it's just a matter of where. He can play both left tackle and right tackle, and with now former left tackle D.J. Humphries, who was released Wednesday, nursing a torn left ACL, the Cardinals knew they needed to address the position. Adding Williams to the mix joining Paris Johnson Jr., Arizona's first-round pick last year, gives them two possible left tackles and two possible right tackles. It'll take an offseason of evaluating the two at both positions before a decision is likely to be made on who plays where.
What's the risk: After missing his rookie season with a labrum injury, he dealt with knee injuries in 2020 and 2022 before playing every game last season. If injury should strike Williams again, Arizona has a more-than-capable backup in swing tackle Kelvin Beachum.
DeeJay Dallas, RB
Arizona and former Seattle Seahawks running back DeeJay Dallas agreed to a three-year deal.
What it means: In Dallas, the Cardinals likely found their next return man while also adding a possible backup for James Conner. Dallas returned 62 kickoffs for 1,474 yards and 39 punts for 367 yards in four seasons with the Seahawks. His addition, and the trade of Rondale Moore, likely means Greg Dortch will see more time on offense and relinquish his return role to Dallas.
What's the risk: With most of this year's additions, there's little risk with Dallas as long as he can hang on to the ball as a returner. If he can do that, the Cardinals could have a productive returner along with someone who can spell Conner for a snap or two here and there.
Chris Moore, WR
Arizona and former Tennessee Titans wide receiver Chris Moore agreed to a one-year deal.
What it means: Moore adds depth, experience and leadership to the Cardinals' wide receivers room. He has the versatility to play in the slot or outside, so offensive coordinator Drew Petzing will be able to move Moore around without much hesitation. Last season, Moore ran 66.1% of his routes out of either outside receiver position. In Arizona, he'll likely end up as a role player, proving depth in four- and five-wide packages, but he will be a threat every time he's on the field. He averaged 19.3 yards per reception last season in Tennessee.
What's the risk: Another low-risk signing, especially on a one-year deal at 30 years old. Moore is currently the oldest player in the receivers room, so, like any player, injuries would be the biggest concern.
Justin Jones, DT
Defensive tackle Justin Jones and Arizona agreed to a three-year deal.
What it means: Jones is another piece to the Cardinals' defensive puzzle -- but he's a big one at that, not just physically, however. Yes, Jones is 6-foot-3 and 309 pounds, but his impact on the Cardinals' defense may end up being bigger. He had seven sacks in the last two seasons with the Chicago Bears and has a nose for getting to the quarterback. With Arizona tallying just 33 sacks last season, any time spent in the backfield is time well spent for Arizona.
What's the risk: The only real risk with Jones is the possibility of injury. Before his last two seasons in Chicago, he didn't make it through an entire season while he was with the Chargers. But with the rotation the Cardinals have built on the defensive front, adding Jones comes with little risk.
Mack Wilson Sr., LB
Arizona and former New England Patriots linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. agreed to a three-year deal on Monday.
What it means: In Wilson, the Cardinals get a linebacker who can do a little of everything: rush off the edge, play inside and drop into coverage. He'll come in as a likely starter alongside Kyzir White and give the Cardinals more versatility on defense; he had 3.5 sacks, 3 passes defensed and 2.5 run cuffs last season. That flexibility will help keep him on the field for three, possibly four downs.
What's the risk: He's a bit undersized at 6-1 and 246 pounds, so he may be a liability in the passing game against bigger tight ends, but he's durable.
Bilal Nichols, DT
Arizona reached an agreement with former Las Vegas Raiders free agent Bilal Nichols on a three-year, $21 million deal.
What it means: The Cardinals set out to get an impactful defensive tackle, and that's what they got with Nichols. He bolsters a defensive line that was in need of help by bringing a proficiency against the pass and run. He'll help give the Cardinals a solid rotation up front alongside L.J. Collier and Dante Stills.
What's the risk: How Nichols plays without a star pass-rusher alongside him is yet to be seen. He lined up with Maxx Crosby in Las Vegas, allowing Nichols to match up one-on-one. Arizona committed a decent amount of guaranteed money to a 27-year-old player who's on his third team. They'll want to see their ROI quickly.
Sean Murphy-Bunting, CB
Sean Murphy-Bunting and the Cardinals agreed to a three-year deal.
What it means: One of the Cardinals' top positional priorities in free agency was cornerback and they landed their CB1 in Murphy-Bunting. Even though he's just in Year 5, he'll give the Cardinals a veteran presence in its cornerback room and will help mentor the team's corners on how to win in the postseason.
What's the risk: Murphy-Bunting hasn't played a full season since 2020 so injuries will could be a concern but his youth and production will overshadow his injuries -- for now.
Trystan Colon, G
Arizona re-signed guard Trystan Colon to a one-year, $1.75 million deal on Monday.
What it means: Colon proved to be a valuable backup last year, starting four games at left guard as injuries hit the position in the middle of the season. Bringing him back gives an offensive line that produced Arizona's first 1,000-yard rusher last season since 2016 -- James Conner had 1,040 rushing yards -- the type of depth it needs to survive a season. Colon's versatility -- he can also play center -- also helped bring him back to Arizona.
What's the risk: There isn't any risk to bringing Colon back on a one-year deal. He's a proven backup who can slide into a position at a moment's notice.
L.J. Collier, DT
The Cardinals announced they re-signed defensive tackle L.J. Collier to a one-year contract on Friday.
What it means: Collier played just one game last season because of an injury to a biceps muscle in Week 1 that landed him on injured reserve. He'll give the Cardinals a boost on the defensive line and slightly ease the burden of finding a disruptive defensive lineman in free agency. Before his time in Arizona, he was a first-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks in 2019. He signed a one-year deal with Arizona last offseason.
What's the risk: There's little to no risk with Collier being on a one-year deal. With hardly anything on tape, there's actually a ton of upside because Arizona still doesn't completely know what it has in Collier, and he hasn't had a chance to show what he could do.
Krys Barnes, LB
Arizona and LB Krys Barnes agreed to a one-year deal on Monday.
What it means: A part-time starter in 2023, Barnes gives the Cardinals depth at linebacker and experience in defensive coordinator Nick Rallis' system. He had 53 tackles, including three for a loss, and an interception last season. His versatility will allow Rallis to use him in various situations and help integrate him with the new linebackers.
What's the risk: Another low-risk signing, especially on a one-year deal. The upside is that Barnes can start Week 1 if needed, or he can be a season-long role player. Either way, he'll have a role throughout the season.
Aaron Brewer, LS
Arizona and long snapper Aaron Brewer agreed to a one-year deal.
What it means: Bringing Brewer back keeps consistency on special teams, especially with him and veteran kicker Matt Prater.
What's the risk: The only risk with Brewer is if he gets injured to the point where he can't play. Then, that opens an entirely new situation for the Cardinals, who'd have to try to find an emergency long snapper.
Blake Gillikin, P
Arizona re-signed punter Blake Gillikin to a two-year deal on Monday.
What it means: Arizona brings back a punter who had one of the best seasons in franchise history. He will run it back for a team that impressed on special teams last season. Gillikin set a franchise record with a punting average of 50.6 yards, No. 4 among all punters in the 2023 season.
What's the risk: There's little risk to bringing back Gillikin. He's young (26), has a strong leg and can put the ball where Arizona needs.