The defensive line was an issue in 2019 for the Arizona Cardinals. They hope to shore it up in 2020. As we continue in the offseason, we look at each position group in terms of what they did in 2019, what the roster situation looks like now and what the outlook for 2020 is.
Today we break down the defensive line.
2019 review
2019 was marked by injuries and more on the defensive line. In all, the Cardinals had six players they counted on in 2019 who either were cut or got hurt.
Only one player — Corey Peters — managed to play in all 16 games.
Darius Philon was a big free agent addition but got cut after an arrest for assault charges. Robert Nkemdiche was cut after showing up to camp fat and out of shape. Zach Allen, Jonathan Bullard, Rodney Gunter and Clinton McDonald all ended up on injured reserve.
No defensive lineman had more than three sacks and the entire group combined for only seven.
Roster breakdown
Here is what the roster looks like right now:
- Zach Allen: signed through 2022
- Miles Brown: signed through 2021
- Jonathan Bullard: unrestricted free agent
- Michael Dogbe: signed through 2022
- Rodney Gunter: unrestricted free agent
- Zach Kerr: unrestricted free agent
- Clinton McDonald: unrestricted free agent
- Corey Peters: signed through 2020
- Caraun Reid: unrestricted free agent
Only four players are signed. They are going to have to address the position heavily.
Offseason question: Do the young players progress?
The Cardinals have high hopes for Zach Allen. However, he was thrust into a prominent role early with the release of Darius Philon and then a neck injury sidelined him for three quarters of the season. Miles Brown became an intriguing player to watch. Michael Dogbe saw limited time.
Will they progress?
If Allen progresses into a starting-caliber player, things look optimistic. Both Brown and Dogbe could become key rotational players.
Offseason question: Will the Cardinals make a splash in free agency?
The Cardinals could go big in free agency on the defensive line. There are some significant names available. The Chiefs’ Chris Jones will be the biggest name if he isn’t given the franchise tag. Leonard Williams, D.J. Reader, Ndamukong Suh, Gerald McCoy and Michael Brockers are other bigger names available.
Some will come with huge price tags.
There are also many players who are more than capable as good starters who won’t cost a premium. Derek Wolfe, Mike Daniels and Danny Shelton come to mind.
Offseason outlook
The Cardinals need to come away from free agency with at least two starters. They need to add a couple of rotational players to compete. Ideally, Allen can be a starter and Corey Peters can be put in a role he expected — playing only limited snaps. With two starting-caliber additions and Allen and Peters, that is a good start. The other two or three who will end up on the roster can simply depth.
Only this year, ideally they will be healthier.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
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