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Arizona Cardinals: Target 49ers linebacker Michael Wilhoite

By Dan Schmelzer

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Sep 15, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals linebacker Kevin Minter (51) during the game against the Detroit Lions at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Almost unarguably the biggest need on the Arizona Cardinals’ roster is the inside linebacker position.

Larry Foote is now a member of the Cardinals’ coaching staff, Daryl Washington’s situation is very murky and Kevin Minter has not progressed like the franchise had hoped when they drafted him as a second-round pick in 2013.

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The free agent market is weak at inside linebacker, and while there are some intriguing options in the draft, the Cardinals may be hesitant to spend their first round pick at the position. The team may have to get a little creative to add some much needed talent to their linebacker core this off season.

December 20, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite (57) during the third quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Levi

According to Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee, the San Francisco 49ers are looking to trade inside linebacker Michael Wilhoite, who showed some serious promise starting all 16 games for the 49ers last season. Barrows reports that the “49ers are seeking a sixth- or seventh-round draft pick in return (for Wilhoite).” If true, this is someone who the Cardinals need to target immediately.

Wilhoite is not technically even under contract with the 49ers, but he is what is called an exclusive rights contract, meaning he can only negotiate with the 49ers. With Wilhoite having no leverage, San Francisco should easily be able to bring him back on a near-league minimum contract and then trade him to an interested team.

Filling in for the injured NaVorro Bowman, Wilhoite was second on the 49ers’ defense with 87 tackles. He was a valuable player for a defense that only allowed 321.4 total yards per game (fifth-best in the NFL) and 100.8 rushing yards per game (seventh in the league).

With Bowman and Patrick Willis expected to be back from injuries next season, along with the emergence of 2014 third-round pick Chris Borland, the 49ers have a ton of depth at middle linebacker and could easily part with a guy like Wilhoite.

At 6’0″ and 240 pounds, Wilhoite has nice size for the inside linebacker position. While he does not have the high-level straight-line speed that the Cardinals are looking for at the position, he does have very good quickness and change of direction speed.

More importantly, Wilhoite showed very good coverage abilities last season, handling opposing running backs and tight ends in the passing game very well. The Cardinals have struggled mightily at defending the tight end position in recent years, and Wilhoite would certainly help them in that department.

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Playing in the CFL before signing an undrafted free agent contract with the 49ers in 2011, the 28-year-old Wilhoite is known as a hard-working player who does not take his NFL opportunity for granted. That shows on the field, as Wilhoite is certainly a very high-motor player who always seems to be around the ball. He has also starred on special teams for the 49ers that past two seasons.

This really seems like a no-brainer for the Cardinals if the 49ers are really shopping Wilhoite. Getting a player on a mid-level salary for a late-round draft pick at a major position of need is a slam dunk. Also, he has experience in a defense very similar to Arizona’s 3-4.

Wilhoite could come in and immediately compete for a starting inside linebacker job. If he does not work out defensively, Wilhoite could easily become a star on Arizona’s defense. This is a low-risk, high-reward move that the Cardinals simply must consider.

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