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)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fraisingzona-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F08-2F1447048746-850x560-b4914141fa6bdb9be48e4c223081cae0817addc072dbaf08cde506bb217ec944.jpg)
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.