The Cardinals need to improve on the field to get the grade up.
Happy Thursday one and all.
Yesterday we looked at the PFF rankings of the defensive line units in the NFL and how much on paper, the Arizona Cardinals have improved.
Today they looked at the linebacker units, and while the Cardinals have invested, it wasn’t heavy like with the defensive line in terms of money or high level picks.
So, that could explain why they are still so low in the overall rankings.
From PFF:
29. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have invested a plethora of resources in their defense this offseason, and the linebacker position is no exception. Former Bengal Akeem Davis-Gaither arrives after posting a 59.0 PFF overall grade in Cincinnati last season. He’s projected to start alongside Mack Wilson Sr., who earned a 63.8 PFF overall grade in 2024.
Veterans Owen Pappoe and Mykal Walker project as depth, along with fourth-round rookie Cody Simon, but this unit may struggle to hold things together behind what should be an improved defensive line.
Here is the thing, and this is something I have liked about the new regime, as opposed to the last regime.
They understand that most of the top linebacker units are not filled with first round picks, but instead with athletic players who can make plays when kept clean.
While the Lions drafted a first round linebacker and are the second ranked unit, the next groups include:
- Philadelphia Eagles – Veteran failed third round pick from Saints, third round pick (although they did draft a first round linebacker for the first time in about two decades)
- Lions
- New England Patriots – They have the third ranked unit despite not having drafted any of their starters and only one was drafted in the top 50 by their original team.
- Kansas City Chiefs – Nick Bolton is the only one drafted in the top 100.
- Washington Commanders – They are hoping the veteran duo can remain healthy, but again, neither drafted by the team, and Bobby Wagner was drafted during the end of the first, beginning of the second Obama administration.
So, again, it has little to do with investing early in the draft, and much, much more to do with how the group works together.
Will that be the case with the Cardinals linebackers? Can they find the right mix to get into the top half of the league?