3 edge rushers who can step up for the Cardinals in 2021
By Sion Fawkes
Markus Golden
Golden returned to the Cardinals after spending a year-and-a-half with the Giants. No, Golden did not put up eye-popping numbers with Arizona in 2020. But he did record three sacks during the final nine games of the season along with 14 quarterback hits. That said, Golden was solid if unspectacular.
But the 30-year-old has recorded double-digit sacks in the past, including a 12.5 sack outing in 2016. During his single full season with New York in 2019, Golden landed 10 sacks to go with 27 quarterback hits and 13 tackles for loss. So he’s currently just two years removed from his previous spectacular season.
One reason Golden had a hard time getting going last year could have had to do with all the injuries on the defensive line. In 2021, Zac Allen returns and as mentioned earlier, J.J. Watt comes over from the Houston Texans. If the duo stays healthy, look for Golden to threaten double-digit sacks once more.