Cardinals' Defensive Line: Stability or Surprise?

0:00It's March 19th, here's your NFL news in two minutes. Subscribe to stay locked in all season. The Arizona Cardinals made several changes to their defensive line during free agency. They lost key players like Kalei Campbell, Belal Nichols, Daovin Thominson and Justin Jones. Campbell remains unsigned and could retire while Thominson joined the Los Angeles Chargers. These moves leave gaps in their front, but the team brought back some familiar faces and added depth. Following Ardarius Robinson, Walter Nolan, Dante Stills, L.J. Collier, P.J. Mustafar and Zach Carter, Collier signed a one-year deal for the fourth time and Mustafar got tendered as an exclusive rights free agent. Meanwhile, new additions include Roy Lopez on a two-year contract after a year with the Detroit Lions, plus Jonah Williams and Andrew Billings on, one-year deals. Lopez provides solid run-stopping similar to Thominson but at a lower cost. Fans took the league minimum and billing signed for $2.5 million.

1:04These are mostly rotational pieces, not big upgrades over what they had. The big question is whether the Cardinals improved overall. They lost their top playmaker in Campbell and none of the newcomers matches impact. Fans and analysts see stability from the vets, but real progress hinges on the young talent. It all comes down to the health and breakout potential of Walter Nolan and Darious Robinson. With those two step-up as playmakers, the defensive line could surprise, otherwise expect a steady but unspectacular group heading into next season. This episode is supported by our sponsor. Headphones in a pillow. Once you try it, it just makes sense, S-O-L-I-SOLY-PILLOW.com.