The Arizona Cardinals have a pretty inexperienced group of outside linebackers. However, it would appear they are good with the players they have.
Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, as a good DC would say, is happy with the group so far.
“It’s a great competition,” he said on Thursday. “I feel great about the depth. There’s a lot of guys in that room that if we had to go out and start with them, I’d feel great going into that game.”
That depth is mostly untested.
Right now, the starters are Zaven Collins and Dennis Gardeck. Collins is playing the position for the first time full time, having played off the ball for his first two seasons in the league.
Gardeck has been in the league since 2018 but has only played 476 defensive snaps in five seasons, compared to more than 1,600 on special teams.
Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders enter their second season after being drafted in the third round in 2022. Jesse Luketa is in his second season. BJ Ojulari is a rookie second rounder.
Victor Dimukeje enters his third season.
David Anenih has yet to play in an NFL game.
There is certainly nice potential among most of them.
Rallis would never say that he is concerned about the depth. That said, between Collis, Thomas, Sanders and Ojulari, the Cardinals should have a very nice, young, high upside group of edge defenders.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
