Arizona Cardinals may hunt for edge rusher during offseason
By Jim Koch
The Arizona Cardinals will most likely be on the lookout for a free agent edge-rusher when the upcoming offseason rolls around
Chandler Jones, the Arizona Cardinals talented edge-rusher, is having another outstanding campaign. The 29-year old, who was acquired from the New England Patriots back in 2016, ranks second-overall in the NFL with 15 sacks. At the moment, Jones is the only Cardinal who can consistently make life miserable for the quarterbacks he chases down on a weekly basis.
All of that may change, however, when the upcoming offseason rolls around. According to Spotrac.com, Arizona will have about $71 million in salary-cap space to work with in 2020. Some of which may be used to find another pass-rusher to line up on the opposite side of Jones.
One of the biggest names on the outside linebacker list is the sensational Shaq Barrett. Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians has already let it be known that he wants the 27-year old to remain in Florida. Barrett has racked up a league-leading 16.5 sacks this season, and has added 50 tackles and six forced fumbles as well.
Another interesting player who’s scheduled to hit free agency is Jadeveon Clowney. The mid-year trade acquisition of the Seattle Seahawks would be an excellent compliment to Jones. The versatile Clowney has tallied three sacks, 30 tackles, four forced fumbles and a pick-six thus far in ’19.
Dante Fowler Jr. of the Los Angeles Rams is also worthy of consideration. The former third-overall pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars is on the verge of another big payday. Fowler Jr. has recorded nine sacks, 50 tackles, four passes defensed and a fumble return for a touchdown in his 14 appearances (12 starts) this fall.
Bud Dupree, who’s in his 5th campaign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is having a career year. The 26-year old has registered 9.5 sacks, 58 tackles and four forced fumbles in the 14 games he has appeared in. Dupree, who played his college ball at the University of Kentucky, was the 22nd-overall selection of the 2015 draft.
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One more edge-rusher worth mentioning is Matt Judon of the Baltimore Ravens. The 27-year old has totaled 8.5 sacks, 47 tackles and a whopping 29 quarterback hits for the AFC North-leading Ravens. Judon, who attended tiny Grand Valley State University, was a fifth-round choice o
f the squad back in 2016.