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Grading Arizona Cardinals signing of two veteran linebackers

By Avery Duncan

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 25: Outside linebacker Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes for a touchdown after a fumble recovery against the Oakland Raiders during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 25: Outside linebacker Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes for a touchdown after a fumble recovery against the Oakland Raiders during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 25: Outside linebacker Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes for a touchdown after a fumble recovery against the Oakland Raiders during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 25: Outside linebacker Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens rushes for a touchdown after a fumble recovery against the Oakland Raiders during the fourth quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

The Arizona Cardinals have been busy during free agency, as they are expected to sign linebackers Terrell Suggs and Jordan Hicks.

After having one of the leagues worst defenses in 2018, the Arizona Cardinals have made some impactful moves to start free agency in hopes of bolstering their front seven for a rebound 2019 season. The signing of two Super Bowl champion linebackers is an excellent start to that rebuild.

Terrell Suggs

This was expected by some before free agency started. The 36-year-old Suggs is an Arizona native and has long wanted to return home to the desert. Although his deal with the Cardinals is just a one-year $7 million contract, per Adam Schefter of ESPN, Suggs should make a lasting impact with the Arizona Cardinals.

As a pass rusher, Suggs should be a boost for the Cards. Despite his elder statesman status, the 2011 defensive player of the year was a force to be reckoned with in 2018. During the 2018 regular season, Suggs tallied 7.0 sacks, 34 total tackles, and a forced fumble while playing 83.1% of the Ravens defensive snaps.

In terms of advanced statistics, Suggs graded well according to Pro Football Focus. The statistics firm rated him as the 36th best edge player in the NFL in 2018 with a 70.0 grade. When it came to pass-rushing efficiency, he was rated as the 21st best player with a 73.6 grade. However, his rush defense graded did dip to a career low in 2018 with a 66.0 grade.

With that being said, Suggs should be useful for the Cardinals as either a tertiary pass-rusher if Keim drafts Nick Bosa or as the starter alongside Chandler Jones. T-Sizzle should also be a tone setter and voice for the Cardinals defense that should be looking to get back on track.

Overall, this signing is a low-risk, high-reward one as the Cardinals get a hometown hero who is still amongst the leagues best in terms of pass-rushing.

Grade: A+

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