Projected 2020 Arizona Cardinals roster and practice squad
By Matt Murray
Linebackers (9): Chandler Jones, Devon Kennard, Jordan Hicks, Isaiah Simmons, De’Vondre Campbell, Evan Weaver, Hassan Reddick, Dennis Gardeck, Zeke Turner
The Arizona Cardinals went into the offseason with some obvious holes at linebacker. Haason Reddick has continued to be less than advertised, Terrell Suggs was misused from the start of 2019 but also showed very little drive until he was released and Joe Walker has since left the team in free agency. So there are plenty of holes for new starters in 2020.
As for the starters you have to begin with arguably the best edge rusher in the league, Chandler Jones. Jones was second in the league with 19 sacks in 2019 but more impressive than that was his eight forced fumbles which he said prior to the season would be his focus. Devon Kennard, a new addition from the Lions, comes in with 14 sacks over the past two years and will be a significant improvement opposite Chandler Jones.
The inside linebackers will be Jordan Hicks and first-round draft pick Isaiah Simmons. Hicks is coming off a huge first year for the Cardinals where he amassed a career-high 150 tackles (93 solo and 57 assisted). Number eight overall pick, Simmons, is coming off a stand out year at Clemson and could/should be used in multiple roles in 2020.
Simmons 2019 positional versatility was tracked by Pro Football Focus and the results are extraordinary. He lined up at free safety 132 times, in the box 299 times, on the line 116 times, at slot corner 262 times and at outside corner 13 times showing he should never need to leave the field.
The Cardinals also have new addition De’Vondre Campbell, from the Falcons, and draft pick Evan Weaver, a rookie out of UCLA, to back up the middle linebackers. This is an area that there could be a late addition but as it stands now the linebacker depth will be completed by Haason Reddick, Dennis Gardeck and Zeke Turner.
Roster (OFF: 25 DEF: 15)
DL (6)- Jordan Phillips, Corey Peters, Zach Allen, Leki Fotu, Rashard Lawrence, Jonathan Bullard
LB (9)- Chandler Jones, Devon Kennard, Jordan Hicks, Isaiah Simmons, De’Vondre Campbell, Evan Weaver, Hassan Reddick, Dennis Gardeck, Zeke Turner