Cardinals draft Cal Iinebacker Evan Weaver 202nd overall

Apr 25, 2020, 1:56 PM | Updated: 3:26 pm

Evan Weaver #89 of the California Golden Bears reacts after he tackled Cameron Scarlett #22 of the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Palo Alto, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

BY KEVIN ZIMMERMAN

ArizonaSports.com lead editor

Building depth at inside linebacker, the Arizona Cardinals selected California product Evan Weaver with their sixth-round pick (202nd overall) on Saturday.

Weaver, who is 6-foot-2 and 237 pounds, made several All-American squads for his senior year performance in 2019, including the Walter Camp Football All-American team.

His productivity included 181 tackles — a Pac-12 record for a season — 2.5 sacks, three passes defended and three forced fumbles.

“I think I bring a hyper-competitive guy who is willing to put in the work to do whatever it takes to win as many games as possible,” Weaver said on a conference call. “I think I bring that. I just have to prove myself from here on out and get some wins for the Cardinals.”

With the Cardinals, Weaver will slot in behind starting inside linebackers Jordan Hicks and De’Vondre Campbell. No. 8 overall draft pick Isaiah Simmons could also see time at the linebacker spot.

Weaver said the Cardinals will play him as a MIKE linebacker.

Tanner Vallejo, Zeke Turner, Dennis Gardeck and Keishawn Bierria are the other inside linebackers on Arizona’s roster.

“I’m super excited,” Weaver said. “Isaiah’s obviously a crazy, crazy good athlete. He can really play all over on the field and yeah, just super excited to go join them and get my face in the building at the Cardinals.”

Arizona began the third day of the draft by bolstering the depth of the defensive line. The team picked Utah defensive tackle Leki Fotu with the 114th overall selection and 17 slots later drafted LSU defensive lineman Rashard Lawrence.

The Cardinals used their first-round choice on Simmons and Friday nabbed Houston offensive tackle Josh Jones in the third round.

Follow @kzimmermanaz

Clemson's Isaiah Simmons reacts after stopping Alabama's Najee Harris during the first half of the NCAA college football playoff championship game Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

FILE - In this Jan. 25, 2020, file photo, North offensive tackle Josh Jones of Houston (70) plays during the second half of the Senior Bowl college football game in Mobile, Ala. Jones was selected by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the NFL football draft Friday, April 24, 2020. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Fourth round (114th overall)

Utah DT Leki Fotu
(Photo by Boyd Ivey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Fourth round (131st overall)

LSU DL Rashard Lawrence
(AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Arizona State running back Eno Benjamin, left, avoids a tackle by Oregon State defensive back Jaydon Grant during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Corvallis, Ore., Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Steve Dykes)

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.