With the NFL Combine now in the books for defensive players, there are a few prospects who should have caught the Arizona Cardinals eye.
The Arizona Cardinals need a lot of help during the 2023 NFL Draft. And while many would love to see general manager Monti Ossenfort lock up Will Anderson Jr with the third overall pick, there is talent all over this year’s draft class on defense.
Below, there are four eye-catching prospects who caught the eyes of many NFL analysts at the NFL Combine. All three of these players also had solid to elite production during their final two seasons in college.
One thing to keep in mind is that these prospects pertain to the Cardinals. So while there may have been a few others who performed better than the following names, I felt that those you are about to meet below fit best for what the Cards are looking for.
2023 draft prospects the Arizona Cardinals should be excited for - Offense
1 - Calijah Kancey, DT/Pittsburgh
Take one look at Calijah Kancey’s (lack of) size for a defensive tackle, and you may scoff. But if memory serves me correct, another “undersized” defensive tackle also came from Pittsburgh, and the Arizona Cardinals should be well acquainted with that particular player. Name’s Aaron Donald, in case you were wondering.
So don’t let Kancey’s 6’1, 281lb frame scare you. Statistically, he’s also been dominant, logging 64 tackles, 27.5 for loss, and 14.5 sacks over his last two seasons at the University of Pittsburgh. He ran a 4.67 in the 40-yard dash at the Combine, the fastest time for a defensive tackle in two decades per NFL.com’s Chad Reuter.
What makes Kancey a good fit for the Cards? Really, when I look at and read about him, Aaron Donald continually pops into my mind. Not saying he will be another Donald, as that’s nearly impossible. But if he’s even remotely close to Donald, then Kancey will be a million times better than what Arizona has had at defensive tackle over the past three seasons.
2 - Christian Gonzalez, CB/Oregon
As mentioned in a previous article, Christian Gonzalez is a likely candidate for the Arizona Cardinals if they decide to trade down. With solid size at 6’1, and 197lb, plus 4 interceptions and 118 return yards in 2022, fans should be thrilled if Ossenfort trades down to snag a player like Gonzalez.
He also ran a 4.38 at the Combine before showing elite athleticism during position drills. Overall, he looked like the type of NFL-ready player who solidified his draft status at the Combine. Don’t be surprised if he lands in the Top 10 on Draft Day.
How does he fit with the Cardinals? While Marco Wilson definitely showed immense improvement last season, he fits best as the CB2. Therefore, someone like Gonzalez could likely step in and immediately fulfill the CB1 role and dominate for the next half-decade. So if Ossenfort trades back and takes him over a pass rusher, don’t be disappointed.
3 - Adetomiwa Adebawore, DE/Northwestern
Northwestern’s football program has never been the greatest, but Adetomiwa Adebawore’s draft stock has been a hot topic all year, and his performance at the Combine solidified that. He ran a ridiculous 4.49 in the 40-yard-dash, before showing agility in position drills. You also shouldn’t let his 6’2 frame fool you - his arms measured at 33 ⅞, telling me he can match up against any offensive tackle the NFL has to offer.
While he wasn’t necessarily a sack artist during his time in college, the 282lb defensive lineman still liked to hangout in the backfield, logging 17.5 tackles behind the line in 2021 and 2022. He also had 74 combined tackles.
Adebawore probably won’t develop into an elite defensive end. But he’s also one of those players who will give you sound performances game in and game out. Think Zach Allen, but a few notches above what Allen was when he first came into the league.
Source: 2023 NFL Scouting Combine stock up/stock down, Day 1: Nolan Smith displays electric athleticism by Chad Reuter, NFL.com.
Source: 2023 NFL Scouting Combine stock up/stock down, Day 2: Oregon's Christian Gonzalez shines by Chad Reuter, NFL.com.
(Prospect information also provided by Lance Zierlein, NFL.com. Statistics provided by Sports-Reference/CFB)