Arizona Cardinals: Outside linebackers

The Arizona Cardinals may have the best depth at outside linebacker in years

The Arizona Cardinals addition of Chandler Jones certainly brought some immediate legitimacy to their outside linebacker core.  Although Jones can play defensive end as well, he is listed as an outside linebacker on the roster.

After Jones, the Cardinals still look good.  Markus Golden enters his second season in the NFL and already made a name for himself last season. He played in 15 of the 16 games last season. starting six of them.  He had four sacks.

Then there is Kareem Martin and Alex Okafor.  Okafor could be a star in this league but he will need to work his way back into favor.  He missed the playoffs with an injured toe.  The injury still won’t be discussed by Okafor or anyone else on the team on what exactly happened.

Shaq Riddick and Zack Wagenmann return for their second seasons as well.  Riddick was inactive most of the season but fans are looking for big things from the former West Virginia Mountaineer. Wagenmann was on the practice squad last season.

As long as all stay healthy, this could be quite the crew to be reckoned with.  Of course when it comes to linebackers, that’s a big if.

The one wild card in all of this though is Dwight Freeney.  A couple of weeks ago he indicated he was still interested in playing at least another season or two.  So the thought he would retire was put to bed.  However there has been no movement on the part of the Cardinals to bring him back yet.

While the Cardinals have said they are interested in having him back, they are likely waiting this one out to see if he gets any other offers.  Don’t be surprised if Freeney is not able to hook on with someone else, he will return to the Cardinals for one or two years.  He lead the team in sacks with eight in 2015.