Arizona Cardinals' 2024 NFL draft series: Examining the situation at the linebacker spots
The NFL draft begins Thursday and after a month or so of free-agent signings and trades, teams are gearing up to add their next wave of players into the mix.
The 2024 draft class is intriguing for many reasons, and it could be historic. The first four picks could all be quarterbacks, something which has never happened since the draft began in 1936. As many as six quarterbacks could go in the first round, but this draft is also top-loaded with dozens of highly rated wide receiver prospects and almost as many talented offensive linemen and cornerbacks.
The Cardinals currently have 11 picks, tied for the most in the league with the Packers and Rams, as they have two picks in the first round (Nos .4 and 27 overall), one in the second (No. 35), three in the third (Nos. 66, 71 and 90), one in the fourth (No.104), two in the fifth (Nos. 138 and 162), one in the sixth (No. 186), and one in the seventh (No. 226).
The Republic examines how the team might tackle the draft, offering a daily series of what to look for with a position-by-position breakdown. Here's a look at the situation at linebacker.
Previous stories: QB/RB | WR/TE | OL | DL
Inside linebackers
Players under contract: Kyzir White, Krys Barnes, Mack Wilson Sr., Owen Pappoe, Tyreek Maddox-Williams, Trevor Nowaske
Priority level: Moderate
Evaluation: The good news is that the Cardinals should be fine at this spot for the upcoming season. Beyond that, however, it’s really anyone’s guess.
For now, the two starting inside spots will easily be manned with the return of Kyzir White following his torn biceps injury last season in Week 11, and a combination of either Krys Barnes, re-signed on another one-year deal, or free-agent addition Mack Wilson Sr., who signed a three-year contract. Second-year pro Owen Pappoe provides quality backup insurance in any rotation basis.
White, 28, played every single defensive snap (683) until he went down against the Texans and despite missing Arizona’s final six games, still ended up leading the team in total tackles (90). Barnes, 26, helped pick up the slack down the stretch by totaling 22 tackles in the final three games and 55 tackles overall.
Both of those players, though, are set to become unrestricted free agents in 2025. They each could be re-signed, but what if they aren’t? Does that make Wilson the inside linebacker the Cardinals will be counting upon moving into the future? It’s difficult to tell at the moment. Wilson, 26, tallied 82 tackles as a rookie after the Browns made him a fifth-round pick out of Alabama in 2019. He started 14 of 16 games that season.
Since then, he’s only started 18 total games the past four seasons between Cleveland and New England and has only averaged 37 total tackles a year. He brings versatility to the Cardinals, however, in that he can play off-ball linebacker as well as sliding out to the edge as a pass rusher and he comes with a reputation for being a thumper and an alpha-type leader.
Here’s how coach Jonathan Gannon summed him up after Wilson’s signing: “Violent, high-football character, can play multiple positions, fast, smart, tough.”
It’s White, though, who will be counted upon the most to man the middle of the Cardinals’ defense in 2024.
“He’s one of our leaders, one of our high performers, he runs the defense,” Gannon said last week. “The value added, you can’t put a price tag on it.”
If Arizona looks for re-enforcements at inside ‘backer in this draft, it probably won’t happen until at least the third round, but prospects who could be available in that range might include Edgerrin Cooper (Texas A&M), Junior Colson (Michigan), Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (Clemson), Tommy Eichenberg (Ohio State), and Marist Liufau (Notre Dame).
Top ILBs in the draft
Edgerrin Cooper, 6-2, 230, Texas A&M
2. Jeremiah Trotter Jr., 6-0, 226, Clemson
3. Junior Colson, 6-2, 237, Michigan
4. Payton Wilson, 6-3, 233, N.C. State
5. Cedric Gray, 4-1, 234, North Carolina
Outside linebackers
Players under contract: Zaven Collins, Dennis Gardeck, BJ Ojulari, Jesse Luketa, Victor Dimukeje, Tyreke Smith, Cameron Thomas
Priority level: High
Evaluation: Some clarification is needed for the high priority level here because the Cardinals might address the need for a stud edge rusher by drafting a defensive end to fill the role. Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis could also convert the prospect into an outside linebacker.
On paper, the Cardinals would seem to already have more then enough pieces to line up and go play. But there’s a bit of a problem.
They don’t have an elite presence among the unit and even if second-year pro BJ Ojulari steps on with a huge sophomore season, the Cardinals almost certainly will be in the market for a special edge defender and pass disruptor at outside ’backer.
This year’s draft class is thin, however, when it comes to potential dominating prospects at that position. Arizona would likely have to consider some type of trade package to move down from No. 4 or move up from No. 27 to grab one of the handful of top talents such as Dallas Turner (Alabama), Laiatu Latu (UCLA), or Jared Verse (Florida State).
Otherwise, they’re rolling the dice on a player they hope can be a top-flight player in a year or two.
There are plenty of candidates to consider there with second- and third-round grades. They include prospects like Chris Braswell (Alabama), Bralen Trice (Washington), Trevin Wallace (Kentucky), James Williams (Miami), Jonah Elliss (Utah), Marshawn Kneeland (Western Michigan), and Mohamed Kamara (Colorado State).
It’s possible, but unlikely, the Cardinals look for additional help at OLB through a trade. It’s probably more realistic to add depth later this offseason or during training camp and the preseason when teams begin trimming their roster and a few veterans become available.
Top OLBs in the draft
Dallas Turner, 6-3, 247, Alabama
Laiatu Latu, 6-4, 259, UCLA
Jared Verse, 254, Florida State
Chris Braswell, 6-3, 251, Alabama
Bralen Trice, 6-4, 245, Washington
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Cardinals' 2024 NFL draft series: Examining the situation at LB spots
