Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Jess Root

No surprise, no Cardinals D-lineman makes top 11 in 2023

The Arizona Cardinals’ defense is not expected to be good in 2023 and there are huge questions about the defensive line. As such, there should be no surprise that none of them appeared in Doug Farrar’s rankings of the top 11 interior defenders entering 2023 for Touchdown Wire.

The Cardinals’ two best defensive linemen last season were J.J. Watt and Zach Allen. Watt retired and Allen left in free agency, signing with the Denver Broncos.

Allen did not make the top 11 and did not make the list of honorable mention.

If he didn’t, of course none of the Cardinals’ current defensive linemen made the list.

Their most accomplished player on the defensive line is Carlos Watkins, who has five career sacks in 69 games (36 starts).

They have former first-round pick L.J. Collier who has played more edge than the interior and he has some upside, but there is really no one on the roster who even, in a best-case scenario, would ever crack this list.

Maybe they sign some one or draft someone next year with that potential but it just isn’t on the roster now.

An offer for Cardinals fans

For the best local Phoenix news, sports, entertainment and culture coverage, subscribe to azcentral.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.