TEMPE, Ariz. -- NFL free agency has begun, and we're keeping track of every major signing, trade and release of the 2025 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, and free agent signings then became official. The first round of the 2025 NFL draft begins April 24 on ESPN.
Here's a breakdown of every 2025 NFL free agent signing by the Arizona Cardinals:
Simi Fehoko, WR
Arizona and Fehoko agreed to a one-year deal.
What it means: Whether Fehoko can crack the receiving rotation will be determined throughout the offseason but he could end up being a key addition should injuries hit. Fehoko has 10 catches for 139 yards and a touchdown in 24 career games, of which he started two. His best season came last year, when he played in eight games for the Los Angeles Chargers and had six catches for 106 yards.
What's the risk: Another signing with little risk despite injuries. He's learned how to be a role player when called upon, and that will continue in Arizona.
Dalvin Tomlinson, DE
Arizona and Tomlinson agreed to a two-year deal.
What it means: Tomlinson is a force in the run game. Two years ago, he had the second-best run stop run win rate and last year, he helped the Cleveland Browns to the best run stop win rate in the NFL. He'll slide right into the starting lineup and anchor the interior of Arizona's defensive line. He also gives the Cardinals a rotation of defensive linemen who will be able to sub in and out, giving each other breaks and spelling each other enough to keep legs fresh.
What's the risk: Tomlinson is 31 years old and even though he's missed seven games since 2017 -- and has started every game he's played -- the potential for his body starting to break down at this age increases as he gets older.
Mykal Walker, LB
Arizona and Walker agreed to a one-year deal.
What it means: Walker will likely be a role player for the Cardinals on defense, supporting Arizona's run defense. But he'll be able to add depth when needed, having started one-third of the games throughout his career. He could also add experience to the Cardinals' special team unit. Last season, he had a career-high 11 special teams tackles.
What's the risk: Walker is another player who comes with little risk. He'll fit a specific role on Arizona's defense but has spent two-thirds of his career not starting, so if he only plays in certain packages, he won't be taken off guard.
Jake Curhan, OT
Curhan and Arizona agreed to a one-year deal.
What it means: Curhan adds more depth to an offensive line room that has needed to rely on it's second-, third- and fourth-stringers recently. Curhan can play both tackle and guard, giving offensive coordinator Drew Petzing some flexibility in how he utilizes Curhan, who started the last two games of the 2024 season for the Chicago Bears. He won't be the swing tackle to start -- that job belongs to Kelvin Beachum -- but Curhan may not be far behind. He could come in and compete for a starting guard job but the starting tackles are firmed up.
What's the risk: There's very little risk to adding Curhan because he's not expected to come in and compete for a starting tackle job. He's spent his career both playing and not playing, so he can adapt to any situation thrown his way.
Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB
Arizona and Davis-Gaither agreed to a two-year deal.
What it means: Davis-Gaither gives the Cardinals more depth -- and options -- at outside linebacker as an off-ball linebacker. He's young and will be able to fill in the holes on a defense that's been focused on building its pass rush this offseason. He'll be part of the rotation at outside linebacker and able to drop into coverage, and will be a good complement to Zaven Collins.
What's the risk: He's entering a now-crowded outside linebacker room and although his specialty isn't rushing off the edge, finding snaps for him may be an issue for defensive coordinator Nick Rallis -- especially when Davis-Gaither and Collins share some of the same roles.
Josh Sweat, DE
Arizona and Sweat agreed to a four-year deal.
What it means: The Cardinals got the help they've been seeking in their pass rush. In Sweat, Arizona has a Day 1 starter off the edge and someone who's expected to make an instant impact. He'll be reunited with Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon, who was Sweat's defensive coordinator with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021 and 2022, which was the best two-year stretch of Sweat's career with 18.5 sacks. The Cardinals set out to bolster their pass rush this offseason, with edge rusher one of their two top priorities, and with Sweat, they can check that box.
What's the risk: Can Sweat produce at the level the Cardinals need him to? He's coming off an eight-sack season but that's the most of seven-year career besides 2022, when he had 11. Gannon got the most of him, and even though Gannon won't be coaching him day-to-day, Sweat will have Rallis, another former Eagles assistant, who knows what Sweat is capable of.
L.J. Collier, DT
Collier and Arizona reached a one-year deal on Wednesday.
What it means: Collier, who is coming off the best season of his career, gives the Cardinals a prominent figure in the middle of its defensive line, an area that Arizona tried to upgrade this offseason. He's a player who Arizona likes having in its locker room and brings more veteran presence to a room that needed it last year but should welcome back some other injured veterans this year.
What's the risk: There's little risk to re-signing Collier aside from injury. Even if he doesn't end up playing as much as he did last year because of how the roster is constructed and because injured linemen return, for one year at his salary, it's a low-risk signing for Arizona.
Jacoby Brissett, QB
Arizona and Brissett agreed to a two-year deal Tuesday.
What it means: Brissett is the veteran backup that both the Cardinals and quarterback Kyler Murray need at the moment. Brissett has experience with coach Jonathan Gannon from their time together with the Indianapolis Colts, and he played for offensive coordinator Drew Petzing with the Cleveland Browns in 2022. Having a familiarity with the system and the coaching staff will help Brissett get acclimated to his role even quicker -- and be better prepared if he has to step in and play at any point next season.
What's the risk: There's little to no risk with Brissett, especially because of his familiarity with Petzing's offense. Brissett is the type of quarterback who can adjust to whatever situation he's in, so Petzing and the Cardinals won't have to adapt to a new signal caller going in.
Zay Jones, WR
Arizona and Jones agreed to a deal on Tuesday.
What it means: With Jones, the Cardinals get a veteran presence in their receivers room to help mentor its slew of younger receivers like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson. Jones, who played in11 games last season, can also be another option for quarterback Kyler Murray, using his veteran savviness in an offense that thrives when multiple receivers are involved.
What's the risk: There's little risk by re-signing Jones to one year, especially when the Cardinals are poised to take another step offensively.
Evan Brown, G
The Cardinals agreed to a two-year deal with guard Brown.
What it means: The Cardinals kept a key piece of their offensive line by bringing back Brown for two years. His return means there'll continue to be continuity on a line that hasn't had it for a while. He's consistent and durable, having started all 17 games last season. And he's liked in the locker room. The Cardinals see him as a good culture guy.
What's the risk: There's very little. The most obvious one is injury, especially coming off a season in which Brown played all 17 games. He gives quarterback Kyler Murray another familiar face up front.