The 33rd Team: Arizona Cardinals rank near bottom of pass-rushing duos
Jun 18, 2022, 4:30 PM
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 12: Markus Golden #44 of the Arizona Cardinals signals after making a defensive play during the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on September 12, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Cardinals defeated the Titans 38-13. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Arizona Cardinals pass rushers Markus Golden and Devon Kennard ranked in the sixth tier of The 33rd Team’s NFL’s best pass rush duos.
The Cardinals lost outside linebacker Chandler Jones — who was second on the team in sacks last year — to the Las Vegas Raiders in the offseason.
In total, the team combined for 41 sacks last season, good for 11th in the NFL. The 33rd Team separated each team’s pass-rushing duos into seven different tiers.
Tier 6 contains the tandems that employ one pass rusher who might be able to reach double digit sacks this season, though it may be unlikely.
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Last season, Golden took a major stride, leading the team in sacks with 11. Golden also recorded 19 quarterback hits and 10 tackles for loss, both of which were second on the Cardinals behind Jones.
While Kennard didn’t record a sack last year, he still finished the season with 24 tackles and seven tackles for loss.
The Cardinals will look for Kennard and Golden to lead the Cardinals’ pass rush next season, but there is room for another player to force his way into the starting conversation.
Dennis Gardeck, as well as rookies Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders, could be in the rotation at least. Thomas and Sanders were both drafted in the third round of this year’s draft.
The pass rush, in general, will get a boost with J.J. Watt coming back fully healthy next season.
