Photo: Imagn Images

The Arizona defense was bad in 2022, so they threw everything out and started over with a new coaching staff and a new scheme. There is almost always a learning curve as a team transitions its personnel and figures out where everyone fits, but last year’s Cardinals defense was more like a Chinese fire drill. While injuries were a contributing factor, it simply didn’t look like everyone was on the same page most of the time.

The statistical results paint a pretty accurate picture of just how bad it was. The pass defense was 27th in yards per attempt and 31st in completion percentage. Only the Eagles and Commanders allowed more points through the air while only the Bears and Panthers recorded fewer sacks. They were not any better versus the run, finishing 29th in yards per carry, dead last in rush yards allowed and 28th in points surrendered on the ground. The Cardinals’ eleven interceptions were respectable but only the Panthers and Rams recovered fewer opponents’ fumbles.

At this point, we are still not sure what the scheme is supposed to look like. There was talk last season about a shift toward more 4-3 looks. That didn’t seem to happen in 2023. Was that by design or simply because the personnel would not allow for it? With as many as ten new faces likely having defensive roles, that question remains going into 2024.

Defensive Line

With Jonathan Gannon as their defensive coordinator, the 2022 Eagles led the league with 70 sacks. Gannon was supposed to bring some of that production with him yet his Cardinals could manage a frustration 33 last year. That goes to show that no scheme works with the horses to get the job done. This year’s Cardinal will have a whole new stable of horses to work with. Ten defensive tackles saw action for the Cardinals last season. Four of the top five in snap count, are no longer with the team.

As we approach training camp, the projected starters at tackle are former Viking Khyiris Tonga on the nose, with former Raiders Bilal Nichols and former Bear Justin Jones at the tackles. None of these players have much to offer IDP managers but they are all three quality veteran starters who could help the Cardinals get back on the right path.

The new faces at tackle should go a long way toward improving the run defense but this team remains in dire need of an infusion of pass rush talent. Dennis Gardeck led the team with six sacks in 2023. No one else on the roster has ever recorded more than five in any season. The organization is counting on first-round pick, Darius Robinson, to change that. The question for IDP managers is what will his positional designation be?

Robinson is a physically gifted player who in some ways, reminds some of former Cardinal and future Hall of Famer Calais Campbell. Robinson has superior quickness and upper body strength to jamb and shed blockers at the point of attack. He is tall at six-five, with long arms to leverage blockers and obstruct passing lanes. Robinson is not a great up-field speed rusher off the edge, relying on strength and physicality to make up for a lack of technique and polished moves. Some good coaching should go a long way in this area.

Robinson’s physical attributes give the coaching staff options. He can be successful working on the edge in a 4-3 on early downs and shifting inside to rush the passer, or he would be a great fit as a three-technique tackle in a 3-4. He would probably be a better fit as a tackle but the team’s biggest need is on the edge so that is where he will probably work, at least for now.

His college production was good but not eye-catching. In 25 games as a starter for Missouri over the last two seasons, Robinson totaled 54 tackles, 78 assists, 8.5 sacks, and a pair of turnovers on fumbles. He should put up good tackle totals right out of the gate and has a chance to be special.    

Zaven Collins will continue to start on the edge. The former first-round pick (2021) has been disappointing early in his career. He flopped when the previous regime tried to make him an off-ball linebacker. Unlike his predecessor Haason Reddick who followed the same path to success, Collins has not been much better since moving to the edge. This could be a make-or-break fourth season for him.  

The coaching staff expects a big step from last year’s second-round pick, BJ Ojulari. He had a somewhat quiet rookie campaign but showed steady improvement and signs of high potential. He started slowly but by mid-season, Ojulari was playing roughly half of the snap each week. He totaled four sacks as a rookie and should be a much bigger factor in your two. That said; don’t count on him stepping up enough to be an IDP factor. Believe it when you see it.   

Edge Zaven Collins – Marginal IDP value at best
Edge B.J. Ojulari – Watch list prospect with limited potential
Edge Xavier Thomas – Developmental rookie
Edge Victor Dimukeje – No impact
Edge Dennis Gardeck – Marginal potential
Edge Cameron Thomas – No impact 
Edge/DT Darius Robinson – Good tackle totals likely with big long-term potential
DT Bilal Nichols – No impact expected
DT Justin Jones – Marginal impact at best
DT Khyiris Tonga – No impact