Arizona Cardinals could target Vic Beasley in free agency
By Jim Koch
The free agent edge-rusher could be the compliment to Chandler Jones that the Arizona Cardinals will be seeking this offseason
Just last fall, the sensational Chandler Jones broke the Arizona Cardinals record for most sacks in a season. The star edge-rusher’s 19 quarterback takedowns in 2019 topped the previous mark of 17, a number that Jones himself had posted for Big Red just two years before. It’s obvious that the 30-year old has done quite well in that department, but it would behoove the Cards to add another capable pass-rusher to the club’s roster in 2020.
Vic Beasley, a player who has spent the past five campaigns with the Atlanta Falcons, could certainly provide some help for Arizona in that area. The 27-year old, who’ll be testing the free agent waters, should have quite a few suitors for his services. Due to their need for a compliment to Jones, the Cardinals could very well be one of them.
In 78 appearances (60 starts) for the Falcons, Beasley has been credited with 37.5 sacks. The 15.5 that the 6’3, 246 pounder recorded back in 2016 ranked first in the NFL. Beasley’s six forced fumbles that season, a total that was matched only by Bruce Irvin of the Oakland Raiders, was also the most in pro football.
Beasley’s outstanding play in ’16 earned him a well-deserved invitation to the Pro Bowl. After tallying a total of just 10 sacks over the next two years (2017-18), the veteran had a bounceback performance of sorts this past fall. In 16 games (15 starts), Beasley racked up 42 tackles, eight sacks and 12 quarterback hits for the Falcons.
Beasley was drafted eighth-overall by Atlanta back in 2015. The Georgia native attended Clemson University, and was voted the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2014. Beasley was a two-time consensus All-American as well, following both the 2013 and 2014 campaigns.
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The Cards would be wise to take a flier on the talented Beasley. His presence alone should eliminate some of the double-teams that Jones has been subject to on a consistent basis. A pairing of the two in Arizona is a scenario that general manager Steve Keim should certainly be considering.