Arizona Cardinals: Predicting the linebackers
By Scott Allen
The Arizona Cardinals linebacking core will have a bit of a different look in 2018
Thanks to a new defensive scheme, going to a 4-3 rather than a 3-4, there will be a new look with the Arizona Cardinals linebackers this season. Guys like Chandler Jones and Markus Golden move up to the defensive line.
That doesn’t mean there isn’t still some meat on the line. Just different meat. There are currently nine linebackers on the 90-man roster.
How will it look once reduced to a 53-man roster in September? It’s a wide open question. The Cardinals have some real talent at the position and could be left with some difficult decisions as far as backups go.
You count on guys like second-year pro Haason Reddick, Deone Bucannon, and Josh Bynes. All have the potential to be Pro-Bowlers.
After that, the other six players could be vying for probably three spots, maybe four depending on how head coach Steve Wilks wants to go.
The other linebackers on the roster right now are Dennis Gardeck, Jeremy Cash, Scooby Wright III, Edmond Robinson, Airius Moore, and Matthew Oplinger. There is still a lot to find out about these players.
This however is another position that could see a bit of movement before the season begins. We might even see a couple of different players here before the preseason begins in August.
For now, the Cardinals should feel blessed with who they have at the top of the depth chart. Bynes has the most tenure.
The jury is still out for some on Reddick. Some believe the Cardinals wasted their first round pick on him last year. However don’t be surprised if he has a breakout year in a new system.
Bucannon has had some difficulty staying healthy, so that concern is there. However being one of the hardest hitters out there, he is definitely an asset.
Next: Arizona Cardinals: Predicting the tight ends
This is how it may play out as follows once it is all said and done: Bynes, Bucannon, Reddick, Cash, Wright III, and Robinson. That certainly seems like a fun group of players to follow.