Cardinals take edge Felix Anudike-Uzomah in Bleacher Report mock draft
Jul 12, 2022, 7:00 PM
Quarterback Chandler Morris #14 of the TCU Horned Frogs fumbles the ball after getting hit by defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah #91 of the Kansas State Wildcats, during the second half at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium on October 30, 2021 in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
(Photo by Peter Aiken/Getty Images)
There’s a hole to be filled in the pass-rushing department for the Arizona Cardinals.
Outside linebacker Chandler Jones is now a Las Vegas Raider, leaving the spot opposite Markus Golden up for grabs.
In an effort to replenish the edge pool through the 2022 NFL Draft, Arizona went out and added a pair of third-round OLBs in Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders. They also selected pass rusher Jesse Luketa in the seventh round.
And while their impact remains to be seen, Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine has Arizona targeting an edge rusher with its first-round pick in his way-too-early mock of next year’s draft.
Determining the Cardinals’ draft slot by using DraftKings sportsbook’s Super Bowl odds, Kansas State defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah was mocked to Arizona at No. 19 overall.
Kansas State’s Felix Anudike-Uzomah could be that player. He’s the preseason defensive player of the year in the Big 12 after amassing 11 sacks and 14.5 tackles for last season.
At 6-foot-3, 251 pounds, he has the frame to play outside linebacker. He’s among the best benders in the class and showcases speed to get around even the most agile tackles in the conference.
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In addition to the batch of rookies, Arizona also has Dennis Gardeck, Devon Kennard and Victor Dimukeje, who could battle for starter reps when the season gets in full swing.
Gardeck signed a three-year, $12 million deal to remain in the desert this offseason and proved to be an effective piece — albeit in a small sample size — when Jones was sidelined with a season-ending biceps injury in 2020.
The outside linebacker and special teams ace racked up seven sacks and seven tackles for loss over the final 10 games of his season before suffering a torn ACL in Week 14.
