3 edge rushers who can step up for the Cardinals in 2021

Victor Dimukeje

The 210th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, Victor Dimukeje boasts prototypical size at 265 pounds to go with his 6-foot-3 frame.

Dimukeje never produced mind-boggling numbers at Duke, but his consistency showed. He never recorded fewer than 40 tackles during his four college seasons, nor did he record fewer than 7.5 tackles for loss. He also logged 21.5 career sacks as a member of the Blue Devils, including 16 sacks in 2019 and 2020.

Heading into the 2021 season, expect Dimukeje to see a lot of playing time during the preseason barring injury. He’ll probably start off the summer buried on the depth chart behind Chandler Jones, if he’s available, Dennis Gardeck, Markus Golden, and even Devon Kennard.

However, given Jones’ uncertain status, plus Kennard’s status as a free-agent bust as 2020 wore on, Dimukeje could be in a prime position to step in and perform sooner than later. And if he hits the ground running, the Cardinals may have ended up with a draft steal.

Of the three players we’ve listed, Dimukeje is the “potential pick.” But given his production and the possible thinning of the edge position on Arizona’s roster, big things can happen.

(All statistics courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference)