Skip to main content
New York Giants homepage
Advertising

Giants News | New York Giants – Giants.com

Schedule Preview: Cardinals add Hopkins, Simmons 

With the 2020 schedule now released, Giants.com will be taking a look at the offseason moves made by each of the team's 13 opponents.

Next up are the Arizona Cardinals, who added dynamic playmakers on both sides of the ball this offseason.

Matchup: Week 14 - Sunday, December 13, 1:00 PM at MetLife Stadium.

2019 record: 5-10-1

Head Coach: Kliff Kingsbury (second season with Arizona)

Free Agency

Re-signed:

RB Kenyan Drake (transition tag), WR Larry Fitzgerald (signed to 1-year deal), OT D.J. Humphries (signed to 3-year deal), OT Marcus Gilbert (signed to 1-year deal), CB Kevin Peterson (signed to 1-year deal), K Zane Gonzalez (signed to 1-year deal), OT Justin Murray (signed to 1-year deal), RB D.J. Foster (signed to 1-year deal), S Charles Washington (signed to 1-year deal), G Max Garcia (signed to 1-year deal), DT Jonathan Bullard (signed to 1-year deal), S Chris Banjo (signed to 1-year deal), QB Brett Hundley (signed to 1-year deal).

New Additions:

WR DeAndre Hopkins – Hopkins was acquired in a trade with the Texans, giving quarterback Kyler Murray a tremendous weapon on offense. The veteran receiver has missed just two games in his seven-year career and has registered at least 800 receiving yards in every campaign. The four-time Pro Bowler was named to the Pro Football Writers Association's All-Rookie Team in 2013 and led the NFL in touchdown receptions in 2017. Hopkins was named Second-Team All-Pro in 2015 and has been selected as First-Team All-Pro in each of the last three seasons. In 15 games last year, he caught 104 passes for 1,165 yards and seven touchdowns. He has 31 total touchdowns over the last three seasons.

LB De'Vondre Campbell – Campbell signed with the Cardinals after four seasons in Atlanta. The former fourth-round pick started 54 of 59 games with the Falcons, registering a total of 5.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and 18 tackles for loss. In 16 games (15 starts) in 2019, Campbell finished the year with 129 tackles (75 solo), 2.0 sacks, six tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, two interceptions, five passes defended, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. The tackles, tackles for loss, interceptions and forced fumbles were all career-high marks for the linebacker.

LB Devon Kennard – Kennanrd enjoyed four solid years with the Giants before signing with Detroit for the last two seasons. In those two years, the veteran started 30 of 31 games and recorded 7.0 sacks in each campaign. In 16 games last year, Kennard racked up 7.0 sacks, nine tackles for loss, 15 quarterback hits, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and a touchdown.

DL Jordan Phillips – Phillips put together a career-year with the Bills in 2019. The five-year veteran played in 16 games with nine starts and finished with career-highs in tackles (31), sacks (9.5), tackles for loss (13), quarterback hits (16) and forced fumbles (one). The former second-round pick was drafted by the Dolphins and spent 3+ seasons in Miami before being claimed off waivers by Buffalo early in the 2018 season.

Free Agent Departures:

RB David Johnson (traded to Texans), WR Damiere Byrd (signed 1-year deal with Patriots), WR Pharoh Cooper (signed 1-year deal with Panthers), DL Rodney Gunter (signed 3-year deal with Jaguars), LB Joe Walker (signed 1-year deal with 49ers), DE Cassius Marsh (signed 1-year deal with Jagaurs), DL Zach Kerr (signed 2-year deal with Panthers), TE Charles Clay, OL A.Q. Shipley, LB Brooks Reed.

View photos of the additions made by the Arizona Cardinals this offseason.

2020 Draft Class

(Round 1, Pick 8) LB/S Isaiah Simmons, Clemson – Simmons stepped up as a truly versatile defensive weapon for Clemson last season. In 15 games, Simmons registered 104 tackles (67 solo), 8.0 sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, eight passes defended, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He took home the Butkus Award as the top collegiate linebacker as well as the ACC Defensive Player of the Year award. Simmons was selected as an Unanimous All-American and First-Team All-ACC, and was also part of Clemson's 2018 CFP National Championship team.

(Round 3, Pick 72) OT Josh Jones, Houston – After redshirting his freshman year, Jones went on to start at left tackle for Houston for the remainder of his collegiate career. He started 13 games as a redshirt freshman before starting 10 games in 2017 and all 13 games in 2018. Last season, Jones started nine games at left tackle and allowed just one sack. He was named Second-Team All-AAC.

(Round 4, Pick 114) DT Leki Fotu, Utah – Fotu spent four years at Utah, but was not on NFL radars until his strong junior campaign. In 10 games, he registered a career-high 34 tackles (18 solo), 3.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss and one forced fumble. As a senior last year, Fotu had 0.5 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss, two passes defended and one forced fumble. He was named First-Team All-Pac-12 in each of the last two seasons.

(Round 4, Pick 131) DT Rashard Lawrence, LSU – Lawrence became a starter for the Tigers during his sophomore year, but he really started to fill out the stat sheet in 2018. In 13 games as a junior, the defensive tackle had 4.0 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, three passes defended and 54 tackles, all career-high marks. Last season, Lawrence made 28 tackles (11 solo) with 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and three passes defended, earning Second-Team All-SEC honors.

(Round 6, Pick 202) LB Evan Weaver, Cal – Weaver's performance at Cal began to pick up during his junior campaign. In 13 games that year, Weaver recorded 155 tackles (88 solo), 4.5 sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, one touchdown and six passes defended, earning a selection as Second-Team All-Pac-12. Last season, the linebacker finished with 181 tackles (103 solo), 2.5 sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss, three passes defended and two forced fumbles. Weaver was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and First-Team All-Pac-12, in addition to Unanimous All-American.

(Round 7, Pick 222) RB Eno Benjamin, Arizona State – Benjamin had tremendous success in his final two seasons at Arizona State. As a sophomore, he ran for 1,642 yards on 300 carries (5.5 yards per carry) and 16 touchdowns while adding 35 receptions for 263 yards and two touchdowns. In 2019, Benjamin took 253 carries for 1,083 yards and 10 touchdowns and caught 42 passes for 347 yards and another two scores. His performance earned him a selection as First-Team All-Pac-12 in each of the last two seasons.

24_GiantsApp_GenericPromo_1920x1080

Giants App

Download the Giants' official app for iPhone, iPad and Android devices

Related Content

Advertising