Yesterday on Twitter, Kyle Odegard posted the “Projected Annual PFF Values ​​for Cardinals Free Agents” and I felt compelled to offer what I consider to be more realistic valuations.

While the salary cap is significantly higher than last year, I’m confident that outside of the first two days of lavish spending, after the market stabilizes, free agent contracts will tend to be modest.

In my opinion, the only Cardinals free agent who could be signed in the first two days is OLB/DE Chandler Jones (pictured above chasing Matthew Stafford). Now Kyle Odegard is the odds expert, but if I had to guess Chandler’s chances of being signed quickly, I’d say they’re probably less than 50% because it’s hard to imagine that Chandler, whose production has dropped over the past two seasons, will get a $16.5 million a year contract.

OLB/DE Chandler Jones, 31, ARI

Inside out—-always brings constant pressure to the edge. Trent Williams praises Chandler’s talent.

Question marks—- age (31.8), recent drop in bag count, adjustment to program

PFF Market Value: $16.8M

Market value of Spotrac: Market value

• 3 years, $42,169,929
• Avg. Salary: $14,056,643
• NFL Ranking: 116
• OLB Ranking: 14

UFA OLB comparison: (according to Spotrac figures)

Note: I do player comparison and provide Spotrac salary projections.

Von Miller, 32, LAR, market value

• 2 years, $17,970,772
• Avg. Salary: $8,985,386
• NFL Ranking: 220
• OLB Ranking: 24

I think Spotrac is too high on Jones and too low on Miller. Additionally, for 34 teams, Miller brings a more diverse skill set.

My guess is that Jones and Miller will both get 2-3 year contracts in the $11-12 million range (with incentives that will make the contract look bigger). Of course, key numbers will be guaranteed in terms of money and production incentives. Therefore, I believe Von Miller will get more guaranteed money than Chandler, but Chandler might get a more lucrative incentive package.

Best Value for Cardinals: Von Miller

Christian Kirk

Inside Out: After his most productive season, ability to follow deep passes, only 25 years old

Question marks: is he a legit WR2? Can it play the traditional role of WR slot machine? Is he an RAC return and punt threat?

PFF Market Value: $11.7M

Comparison UFA WR (by Spotrac.com)

Christian Kirk (25, 5-11, 200, 4.47) Market Value

• 4 years, $47,572,532
• Avg. Salary: $11,893,133
• NFL Ranking: 149
• WR Rank: 19

Cedric Wilson (26, DAL, 6-2, 200, 4.55) Market value

• 3 years, $19,394,196
• Avg. Salary: $6,464,732
• NFL Ranking: 279
• WR Rank: 31

Byron Pringle (28, KC, 6-0, 203, 4.46) Market value

• 1 year, $3,277,579
• Avg. Salary: $3,277,579
• NFL Ranking: 511
• WR Rank: 53

Sleeper:

Kalif Raymond (27, DET, 5-8, 187, 4.34) Market value

• 1 year, $2,940,024
• Avg. Salary: $2,940,024
• NFL Ranking: 572
• WR Rank: 58

I would be very surprised if a team considered and paid Christian Kirk as WR2. Therefore, if teams consider him a WR3, he will most likely get a deal in the $3-4 million range.

Best Value for Cardinals: Byron Pringle or Kalil Raymond

Wild Card UFA WR for Cardinals:

• JuJu Smith Schuster, PIT, 6-1, 215, 4.54 (James Conner connection)
• James Washington, PIT, 5-11, 213, 4.54 (Conner Connection)
• Jakeem Grant, CHI, 5-7, 171, 4.38 (Kingsbury Texas Tech Connection)
• Keelan Cole, NYJ, 6-1, 194, 4.56 (sleeper)

Wild Guess UFA WR2 signs for Cardinals: DJ Chark, JAC, 6-4, 196, 4.3

Market value

• 4 years, $47,625,492
• Avg. Salary: $11,906,373
• NFL Ranking: 157
• WR Rank: 22

Zach Ertz (31, ARI, 6-5, 250, 4.76)

Inside Out: Chemistry with Kyler and Colt, Productive, Red Zone Threat, Leader

Question marks: age, durability

PFF market value: $11 million

UFA TE comparison (by Spotrac.com)

Zach Ertz (31, ARI, 6-5, 250, 4.76) Market value

• 3 years, $21,297,228
• Avg. Salary: $7,099,076
• NFL Ranking: 293
• TE Rank: 15

CJ Uzomah (29, CIN, 6-6, 260, 4.64) Market value

• 3 years, $32,286,597
• Avg. Salary: $10,762,199
• NFL Ranking: 174
• TE Rank: 6

David Njoku (26, CLE, 6-4, 246, 4.64) Market value

• 4 years, $27,696,461
• Avg. Salary: $6,924,115
• NFL Ranking: 294
• TE Rank: 15

Best Value for Cardinals: I think if Zach Ertz is willing to sign in the $6-7 million range, then, because of his place in the Cardinals’ offense, he’s the best value. If he wants more than $6-7m, then signing David Njoku for 4 years at $6.9m per year would be a good move.

Note: While PFF projects Maxx Williams at $6.3 million, that figure could have predated his knee injury. I think the Cardinals will also re-sign Maxx Williams on a deal in the range of $2-3 million plus incentives.

UFA Wild Cards at TE:

• Moe Alie-Cox, 28, IND, 6-5, 267, 4.75
• Robert Tonyan, 27, GB, 6-5, 237, 4.50

RB James Conner (26, ARI, 6-1, 233, 4.65)

Inside Out: Tough as nails, terrific nose for the end zone, surprisingly versatile

Question marks: sustainability

PFF Market Value: $6.4M

Spotrac Market Value: James Conner

• 2 years, $11,952,244
• Avg. Salary: $5,976,122
• NFL Ranking: 326
• RB Rank: 14

RB Chase Edmonds (25, ARI, 5-9, 205, 4.55)

Pros: Excellent versatility in double threat, shrewd feet, sure hands, willing blocker

Question marks: sustainability

PFF market value: $6 million

Market value of Sportrac: Chase Edmonds:

• 3 years, $15,822,447
• Avg. Salary: $5,274,149
• NFL Ranking: 360
• RB Rank: 16

Best Value for Cardinals: James Conner, due to his superior physicality and red zone production. I think Conner will command $5 million a year. With Chase Edmonds, it’s harder to say, as he didn’t turn out to be an RB1 bell cow, but, when he’s healthy, he’s obviously a very talented RB2. If Chase doesn’t get $5-6 million a year, it’s entirely possible he could sign a one-year deal with the Cardinals to try and improve his market for 2023. That could be a blow. ‘State all around.

CB Robert Alford (33, ARI, 5-10, 188, 4.38)

Upside: After one of his best seasons as a professional, his 66.9 PFF rating is the 2nd best of his career, as is his 68.5 assist coverage rating.

Question marks: age, durability

PFF Market Value: $5M

It would be hard to imagine a team paying Robert Alford $5 million at his age and with his recent season-ending injury struggles. However, I think it’s entirely possible that the Cardinals and Alford could agree to another one-year contract with a base of $1.5 million and loaded with performance incentives.

Best Value for Cardinals: Charvarius Ward (26, KC, 6-1. 198, 4.4): PFF market value: $9.5 million a year – sticky coverage and as tough/reliable as a tackle.

What are your thoughts, salary assessments and hopes for the Cardinals’ own free agents and other players in the market?