Raising Zona
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4 Intriguing edge-rushers the Arizona Cardinals can pursue in 2023

By Jim Koch

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 28: Yannick Ngakoue #91 of the Indianapolis Colts on the field in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 28, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 28: Yannick Ngakoue #91 of the Indianapolis Colts on the field in the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 28, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 01: Justin Houston #50 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts as he leads a huddle prior to an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 01: Justin Houston #50 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts as he leads a huddle prior to an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium on January 01, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) /

Justin Houston – Baltimore Ravens

At 34 years of age, veteran Justin Houston can still terrorize the league’s signal-callers. The 6 foot 3, 270 pounder registered 9.5 sacks and 17 quarterback hits in a part-time role for the Ravens in ’22, and has shown no signs of slowing down.

Over the past 12 seasons, Houston has amassed a mind-blowing 111.5 sacks in stints with the Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis and Baltimore. Back in 2014, the four-time Pro Bowler added a sensational 22 sacks to his NFL resume as a member of the Kansas City defensive unit.

The Arizona Cardinals could look to Houston as a one or two-year bridge to the future, with Thomas and Sanders developing their pass-rushing skills behind him. A mentor for that duo who could also flirt with a double-digit sack total in ’23 could be the right way to go for the Arizona braintrust.

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