Cardinals offseason positional outlook: Outside linebackers

Chandler Jones is a certainty. The other spot is up for grabs.

Offseason question: Who will play opposite Chandler Jones in 2020?

(Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Jones is locked in. He is a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro. The other side is full of questions. Can Reddick become a starting-caliber player despite being undersized for the edge?

Will the Cardinals even want to bring back Marsh or Reed?

Will Fitts develop further?

GM Steve Keim mentioned the position opposite Jones is one of the offseason priorities. They will likely bring in a free agent. The problem is at what cost.

A name to potentially watch is Kyler Fackrell. He got pushed into a rotational role with the Green Bay Packers and will be a free agent. He is from Mesa. He had 10 sacks in 2018. He might be the player to bring in for not too much money and compete with Reddick for the starting job, or at least to be a rotational pass rusher.

The Cardinals probably will not look at edge defenders with the No. 8 pick in the draft, but that is a possibility if they trade back. Then, Iowa edge defender A.J. Epenesa comes into play. Utah’s Bradlee Anae has been mocked to them in the second or third rounds.

Don’t expect a big splash in free agency. Don’t expect a premium pick. But if they can find someone who can produce more than Suggs did last year for a contract roughly what they paid him in 2019, that might be the route they take.

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Ep. 258

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Ep. 257

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