It is the offseason still, which means lists, rankings and projections. NFL.com’s Chad Reuter projected which first-year players would make the All-Rookie teams in 2023.
On the offensive squad, he predicts that Arizona Cardinals first-round pick Paris Johnson, an offensive lineman, will make it.
He believes the Cardinals’ second-round selection, linebacker BJ Ojulari, will make the defensive team.
The Cardinals selected two pass rushers in the third round in 2022 (Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders), but new head coach Jonathan Gannon still invested a second in Ojulari to form a strong rotation — just like he had in Philadelphia. BJ has the length and hustle to emulate his brother, Azeez Ojulari, who had eight sacks as a rookie for the Giants in 2021.
Ojulari is the Cardinals’ lone unsigned draft pick. He does not project right now as a starter on defense with Cam Thomas and Zaven Collins likely to land the starting EDGE spots, but he should have a significant role as a pass rusher.
With an inexperienced group of outside linebackers, he should get many opportunities to play.
Making the All-Rookie Team is exactly what the Cardinals hope he can accomplish in 2023.
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