Arizona Cardinals can fill defensive need with Alec Ogletree

The recently-released inside linebacker would be an intriguing addition to the center of the Arizona Cardinals defensive unit

It’s been almost a year since the Arizona Cardinals made one of their finest acquisitions of 2019. The club’s front office filled a glaring hole on defense with Jordan Hicks, a free agent inside linebacker from the Philadelphia Eagles. Arizona now needs a partner for Hicks, and there’s a defender who recently became available who would fill that hole quite nicely.

Alec Ogletree, a player who spent the past two campaigns with the New York Giants, could be targeted by the Cardinals decision-makers. The organization is more than familiar with the 28-year old from his days with the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams. Ogletree, who played his college ball at the University of Georgia, was a first-round draft pick of the Rams back in 2013.

It appears that Ogletree’s release was a cost-cutting move by the Giants. New York will gain a reported $8.25 million in salary-cap space by parting ways with the 6’2, 235 pounder. Ogletree was scheduled to collect $10 million in 2020, a figure which would’ve made him the NFL’s fourth-highest paid inside linebacker.

Ogletree played the past two seasons for James Bettcher, the defensive coordinator of the Giants who once held the same position with the Cards. In 13 contests last year, the Georgia native tallied 80 tackles, six passes defensed and an interception for the “G-men”. Ogletree’s two campaigns in the “Big Apple” included a total of 173 tackles, 14 pass breakups and six picks in 26 appearances.

During his five years with the Rams, Ogletree managed to generate some eye-popping numbers. In 67 starts, the veteran racked up 676 tackles, 12 interceptions, 57 passes defensed, 12 forced fumbles and 7.5 sacks. Ogletree has also registered four defensive touchdowns since he entered the league back in ’13.

Hicks and Ogletree could potentially form a lethal combination in the middle of the Arizona defense. Haason Reddick‘s switch to edge rusher has created a void for the squad. Cardinals general manager Steve Keim will need to decide if Ogletree is the right man for that job.