Projected 2020 Arizona Cardinals roster and practice squad
By Matt Murray
Defensive Line (6): Jordan Phillips, Corey Peters, Zach Allen, Leki Fotu, Rashard Lawrence, Jonathan Bullard
The Arizona Cardinals’ biggest offseason needs were scattered all across their defense but potentially the largest was their lack of talent on the defensive line. This is also where they made their biggest free agency acquisition bringing in Jordan Phillips which was mentioned earlier.
They also drafted Leki Fotu and Rashard Lawrence both versatile players that could fill in across the defensive front. After the 2019 offseason where the Cardinals attempted to fill the voids on their defensive line but were constantly left disappointed, so did they do enough in 2020?
Only time will tell for their two rookies but it does say a lot that they were both captains on highly talented defenses in 2019. Lawrence helping lead the LSU Tigers to the National Championship and Fotu helping the Utah Utes to their first 11 win season since 2008. While Fotu may work better as a NT/DT, Lawrence has the flexibility to play both as a defensive end or tackle.
Beyond these three additions, the Cardinals also have the leader of their defensive line room returning in veteran Corey Peters. Peters will be starting at the DT position in the Cardinals 3-4 front.
The last two members of the 2020 Arizona Cardinals defensive line group will be 2019 draftee Zach Allen and resigned free agent, Jonathan Bullard. Allen spent 2019 dealing with multiple injuries (shoulder/neck) but if he can return with the same hype he had coming out of Boston College he could quickly show why he belongs on the starting lineup.
Bullard played in Allen’s absence in 2019 and did a fair job but is more of a place holder in my opinion. This group could still be one year away but the Arizona Cardinals hope the past two years additions will fill in nicely.
Roster (OFF: 25 DEF: 6)
DL (6)- Jordan Phillips, Corey Peters, Zach Allen, Leki Fotu, Rashard Lawrence, Jonathan Bullard