The Arizona Cardinals added an outside linebacker in free agency when they agreed to sign former Detroit Lions linebacker Devon Kennard. He played two seasons for the Lions after four with the New York Giants.
What sort of the player are the Cardinals getting? I reached out to Lions Wire managing editor Jeff Risdon to give a bit of a scouting report.
This is what he has to say about Kennard.
Kennard is a quality OLB, smart player and very good in the locker room. He was the Lions’ NFLPA rep. Tough, physical at the point of attack, solid tackler and decent at shedding blocks. He’s not really a natural as a pass rusher even though he led the Lions in sacks; he’s more of a clean-up guy that doesn’t generate much pressure on his own. Uncreative. Really good at holding his contain on edge runs even if he doesn’t make the play.
Kennard was a team captain. It is interesting that he isn’t necessarily going create much pass rush on his own. Now, this will be the first time in his career playing what I think is his ideal position — 3-4 outside linebacker.
Markus Golden, when he was on the Cardinals, was known to be more of a cleanup guy for sacks and thrived. Kennard can be that guy and be more athletic. He will likely be the Cardinals’ drop linebacker. Between him and Jones, Vance Joseph will probably have Kennard drop into coverage sometimes.
In a nutshell, the Cardinals get an athletic, disciplined, heady player who will be a rock as a teammate and a leader in the locker room.
[vertical-gallery id=434271]
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.
Ep. 261
[protected-iframe id=”d86bd5f63d5bb1802434c3656dc196ff-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/23833732/download.mp3″ ]
Ep. 260
[protected-iframe id=”191cb7af54af090fb185ae46227d1137-112738498-106269283″ info=”https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/23462482/download.mp3″ ]