Post-Super Bowl mock: McShay sees Cardinals drafting pass rusher

Pass rusher may be a priority for the Arizona Cardinals this offseason with Chandler Jones seeking a big pay-day and coming off a season that began with the outside linebacker making a trade request before the games began.

ESPN’s draft analyst Todd McShay sees general manager Steve Keim and staff addressing that position early in the 2022 NFL Draft.

With the 23rd overall pick, McShay’s post-Super Bowl mock has Arizona going with Florida State outside linebacker Jermaine Johnson II.

Arizona’s roster has impact players headed toward free agency all over the place, but one of the biggest is edge rusher Chandler Jones. Coupled with the fact that soon-to-be 33-year-old J.J. Watt is coming off a shoulder surgery, this pass rush — which produced 41 sacks last season, tied for 13th most — could take a step back in 2022. Johnson had 12 sacks and 45 pressures at Florida State in 2021 and then put on a show at the Senior Bowl. Even if the Cardinals lose Jones this March, Johnson could join Markus Golden and Watt to form a solid pass-rush group.

McShay adds that while running back may also be a priority for Arizona with Chase Edmonds and James Conner entering free agency, this draft does not project to have a first-round prospect at the position.

As for the 6-foot-5, 262-pound Johnson, he piled up 70 tackles with 12 sacks and two forced fumbles in his single season with the Seminoles after transferring from Georgia.

While Johnson could vie for immediate playing time if Jones walked in free agency, outside linebacker isn’t a completely bare cupboard for the Cardinals.

Markus Golden is back after posting 11 sacks and four forced fumbles playing off of Jones, while the more well-rounded Devon Kennard remains under contract. So does second-year pro Victor Dimukeje, a sixth-round choice from 2021 who saw spot playing time later in the season.

Considering Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph proved creative in 2020 when Jones played just five games before a season-ending biceps injury, maybe Arizona feels it can get away with putting together a pass rush by committee.

The Cardinals also face losing special teams leader Dennis Gardeck in free agency. But bring him back, utilize packages with inside linebackers and first-round picks Isaiah Simmons and Zaven Collins, and Arizona will have ways to bring pressure without spending big or drafting a pass rusher early on.

Then again, if a top-three player at a premium position falls to No. 23 in the draft, the Cardinals might have an easy decision on draft day.

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