Arizona Cardinals sign 3rd-round pick LB Cameron Thomas

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The Arizona Cardinals signed linebacker and third-round pick Cameron Thomas to a four-year contract on Wednesday, making him the eighth and final member of the team’s 2022 NFL Draft class to sign.

The 6-foot-4, 267-pound defensive end at San Diego State won the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year and was an AP All-American.

He recorded 70 tackles with 11.5 sacks and a forced fumble this past season.

Thomas has the chance to make a huge impact right away. Arizona has not yet replaced edge rusher Chandler Jones, presenting the opportunity for instant snaps to Thomas and fellow third-round pick Myjai Sanders. Dennis Gardeck is expected to be in that group as well. Thomas could also feature on the defensive line behind Zach Allen and J.J. Watt.

Watt is someone in particular that Thomas is excited to work with.

“I’m going to stick around them and learn everything I can from them, they are two veteran players that absolutely tear it up,” Thomas said in late April. “To be able to learn from the best, I am just so pumped up.

“I modeled a lot of my game after J.J. Watt, especially at San Diego State, how much versatility I had. J.J. was another guy that I was able to learn a lot of inside and outside and just dominate. I’m hoping to do the same.”

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