With Chandler Jones moving on to the Las Vegas Raiders, the Arizona Cardinals have big holes to feel at edge rusher. The Cardinals will turn to rookies Cameron Thomas, Myjai Sanders, and Jesse Luketa to step in for the absence of Jones.
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Thomas was drafted in the third round with the 87th pick, at 6-5 267; Thomas has the size to be a factor off the edge. In college, he proved he could disrupt offenses with 61 quarterback pressures and get off the line in a hurry with 23.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. Also, In college, Thomas said he watched many J.J Watt films and likes to stand on the edge. Now the rookie will get his chance to play with Watt.
Myjai Sanders
The Cardinals drafted Sanders in the third round with the 100th pick, he has the speed to be an edge rusher, but Sanders is still a bit raw. Sanders is 6-5, 255; he had a pressure percentage of 14.1 last season but had just 2.5 sacks. Sanders will need to develop his pass rush skills. With a veteran like Watt on the roster, it will help Sanders be a better NFL pass rusher.
Jesse Luketa
Luketa will be a long shot to make the roster; he was drafted in the seventh round. Luketa is a versatile defender who can play inside linebacker and edge rusher. He is a high-motor guy and might not have the speed to be a top edge rusher, but with his motor, Luketa could make a lot of plays.
Arizona has some options to help replace Jones. It will be hard to replace a Hall of Famer like Jones, but the Cardinals can do it by committee. The rookies will be hungry for playing time and should compete at a high level. It will be a bumpy road because their first-year players, but they should be able to adjust nicely.
