New-look OLB room for Arizona Cardinals has solid sack potential
In 2024, the Arizona Cardinals got a total of 16.5 sacks from their entire group of outside linebackers. Zaven Collins led the way with five. Dennis Gardeck and Jesse Luketa had three each. Xavier Thomas had 2.5. Baron Browning had two and Julian Okwara had one. BJ Ojulari missed the entire season with a torn ACL and Victor Dimukeje didn't have any.
So that was 16.5 sacks between six players.
The sack production should go up quite a bit.
The Cardinals will have Collins back. Josh Sweat was signed to a four-year contract. Browning was re-signed. Ojulari will return from his knee injury. Thomas will be the fifth guy in the rotation.
Even with modest projections, the Cardinals should see a jump in production.
How many sacks can we expect?
- Sweat had eight last season. If he doesn't get eight, that would be disappointing. So let's project a low sack total of eight.
- Ojulari is potentially a guy who could get to double digits entering Year 3. That said, let's shoot for six to eight.
- Collins can get five again this season.
- Browning has had five before and had two in half a season. Plug him in for about five.
If Sweat has eight, Ojulari has six and both Collins and Browning have five each, that is 24 sacks from just four outside linebackers.
That is significantly better than 16.5 between six players. Now if we keep the Collins and Browning projections the same, push Sweat to 10 and Ojulari to eight, and then include four for Thomas, the Cardinals get 32 from five players.
Who would like to sign up for that?
Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: New-look OLB room for Arizona Cardinals has solid sack potential
-
2 great NFL free agency moves by Arizona Cardinals they hope they don't need
Two of the Arizona Cardinals' moves in free agency were for players that ideally won't have to play much in 2025.Yahoo Sports - 5h -
Arizona Cardinals get good grade for free agent deal with LB Josh Sweat
ESPN believes that the Cardinals' four-year deal for Josh Sweat has the potential to be a bargain.Yahoo Sports - 7h -
Arizona Cardinals DL L.J. Collier contract details, cap hit
Howard Balzer breaks down the numbers of newly DL L.J. Collier's deal to return to the Cardinals.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Arizona Cardinals' projected starting lineup after NFL free agency
With some new additions and some returning free agents, we take a look at what the Cardinals' starting lineup would look right now.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Arizona Cardinals meet with former Chargers CB Asante Samuel
The Cardinals appear to be in the market for a cornerback as they had 2021 second-round pick Asante Samuel Jr. in for a meeting.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Grading the Arizona Cardinals' most recent free agent moves
After grading the Cardinals' initial moves in free agency, we have more grades, looking at the rest of the moves they have made.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Arizona Cardinals will still face WR Cooper Kupp twice in 2025
The Cardinals did not escape receiver Cooper Kupp following his release from the Rams. He is joining the NFC West rival Seahawks.Yahoo Sports - 8h -
Arizona Cardinals LB Mykal Walker salary, contract details, cap hit
Howard Balzer breaks down all the details of the contract of new Cardinals LB Mykal Walker.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
The Arizona Cardinals' 3 best moves in NFL free agency
The Arizona Cardinals wrapped up the first week of free agency making a bunch of moves. These three were their best ones.Yahoo Sports - 6h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Cowboys add receiver Parris Campbell, who will be on his 3rd NFC East team in 3 seasons
The Dallas Cowboys and free agent Parris Campbell agreed on a one-year contract Saturday, putting the receiver on his third NFC East team in three seasons. Campbell saw limited action with the ...Yahoo Sports - 19m -
Razorbacks even series against Ole Miss with 12-3 win
With the win, Dave Van Horn now has 900 as head coach of the Razorbacks. Arkansas starting pitcher Gabe Gaeckle struggled out of the gate, but settled in as the innings went by and ended up ...Yahoo Sports - 22m -
Hobbs scores 18 points, Mount St. Mary's wins first MAAC Championship title with 63-49 win over Iona
Yahoo Sports - 23m -
Caufield powers Canadiens to 3-1 victory over Panthers
Cole Caufield scored his team-leading 33rd goal and added an assist to help the Montreal Canadiens beat the Florida Panthers 3-1 on Saturday night. Patrik Laine and Christian Dvorak — with his ...Yahoo Sports - 24m -
SEC Championship - Tennessee vs. Florida Predictions: Odds, Expert Picks, Betting Trends, and Stats
Tennessee Volunteers vs. Florida Gators Game PreviewYahoo Sports - 24m
More in Sports
-
Cowboys add receiver Parris Campbell, who will be on his 3rd NFC East team in 3 seasons
The Dallas Cowboys and free agent Parris Campbell agreed on a one-year contract Saturday, putting the receiver on his third NFC East team in three seasons. Campbell saw limited action with the ...Yahoo Sports - 19m -
Razorbacks even series against Ole Miss with 12-3 win
With the win, Dave Van Horn now has 900 as head coach of the Razorbacks. Arkansas starting pitcher Gabe Gaeckle struggled out of the gate, but settled in as the innings went by and ended up ...Yahoo Sports - 22m -
Hobbs scores 18 points, Mount St. Mary's wins first MAAC Championship title with 63-49 win over Iona
Yahoo Sports - 23m -
Champions League qualification is the only positive Man City have left -- and they might miss it
Man City's awful season could end with one positive: qualification for next season's Champions League. But they are playing so poorly, they might not even get there.ESPN - 24m -
Ronald Acuna Jr. says he'll be more careful this season -- but no one believes him
From 40/70 to 40/30? The Braves' 2023 NL MVP is rehabbing with a plan to be stronger -- and healthier.ESPN - 24m