5 first-round targets for the Cardinals in the 2022 NFL Draft

Adam Anderson – EDGE (Georgia)

Chandler Jones has been a staple in the Cardinals’ defense ever since the team acquired him in a trade with the New England Patriots in 2016.

But Jones will turn 32-years-old in February and he is currently scheduled to hit free agency in 2022. There’s a decent chance that this could be his final season in Arizona.

If Jones does end up with another team in 2022, Georgia pass rusher Adam Anderson could be a prospect that could help the Cardinals make up for the loss of the two-time All-Pro.

Anderson has ridiculous speed that allows him to blow by offensive linemen and cause havoc for the opposing team’s quarterback.

During his college career, he’s also demonstrated the ability to generate pressure when he’s lined up with his hand in the dirt or in a stand-up position. This versatility is something that Arizona could utilize well in a defense that already has several versatile pass rushers.

Currently at 230 pounds, Anderson likely needs to get bigger if he wants to strictly be a pass rusher in the NFL. Typically, that isn’t a difficult adjustment for a player to make, so it’s not exactly a gigantic concern.

But if he can bulk up a bit, Anderson has the potential to make an impact in the league sooner than later, and potentially in a Cardinals uniform.