With the first few waves of free agency in the rear view, the Cardinals are in the midst of their annual draft prep. GM Steve Keim will lay the groundwork to bring in a new class of rookies to supplement the roster already built and forge a direction upon which a few more free agents are likely to be signed.
Here is the next position group breakdown.
Draft primer: Outside linebacker/edge rusher
Players under contract: Markus Golden, Dennis Gardeck, Devon Kennard, Victor Dimukeje
Need: High
The Cardinals' situation: The Cardinals need another edge rusher after linebacker Chandler Jones, the franchise all-time sack leader, signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. The team still has Markus Golden, who led the team in sacks (11) last season. Dennis Gardeck, a part-time pass rusher, signed a new deal this offseason to remain in Arizona for the foreseeable future. Devon Kennard and Victor Dimukeje remain as depth pieces.
The draft class: This is the strongest position in the draft with good talent across the board. Michigan's Aiden Hutchinson and Georgia's Travon Walker, the crown jewels of the class, stand in the race to become the presumptive top pick. Oregon's Kayvon Thibodeaux, Purdue's George Karlaftis, Florida State's Jermaine Johnson ll, and Minnesota's Boye Mafe also project to be taken in the first round. Michigan's David Ojabo is another top prospect at the position, but the linebacker could fall in the draft after suffering a torn ACL during his Pro Day.
The conclusion: Keim acknowledged to the media on Thursday that adding an edge rusher is among their biggest needs. The Cardinals could look closely if a premier pass rusher drops late into the first round. It will depend on who is still available on the board by the Cardinals' No. 23 selection. But the team understands the premium position must be addressed next week.
Images of the top edge rusher prospects heading into the draft.
FILE - Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) plays against Northern Illinois in the first half of a NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., in this Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, file photo. Hutchinson was selected to The Associated Press Midseason All-America team, announced Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Kayvon Thibodeaux participates in Oregon's NFL Pro Day, Friday, April 1, 2022, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Andy Nelson)
Purdue defensive end George Karlaftis (5) plays against Notre Dame during the second half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. Notre Dame defeated Purdue 27-13. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Georgia defensive lineman Travon Walker (44) against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game in Fayetteville, Ark. Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
FILE - Florida State defensive end Jermaine Johnson II (11) is shown during an NCAA football game against Notre Dame on Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021 in Tallahassee, Fla. Jermaine Johnson II was voted The Associated Press All-ACC defensive player of the year in results released Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough, File)
Penn State defensive end Arnold Ebiketie lines up against Maryland during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in College Park, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Oklahoma linebacker Nik Bonitto (11) gestures to fans after sacking Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez in the second half an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Southern California linebacker Drake Jackson (99) celebrates after catching an interception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against San Jose State Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Kentucky defensive end Josh Paschal (4) plays against Vanderbilt during an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov.13, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Minnesota linebacker Boye Mafe runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Michigan linebacker David Ojabo plays during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
South Carolina defensive end Kingsley Enagbare (1) plays against Tennessee during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)
Texas A&M defensive lineman Demarvin Leal speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 4, 2022. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Miami (Ohio) defensive lineman Dominique Robinson (40) runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine, Saturday, March 5, 2022in Indianapolis. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Western Kentucky defensive lineman DeAngelo Malone (10) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019 in Miami. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)
Cincinnati defensive lineman Myjai Sanders (21) plays during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Tulsa Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Iowa State defensive end Eyioma Uwazurike (58) celebrates knocking down a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Ames, Iowa. Iowa State won 16-10. (AP Photo/Matthew Putney)
Ohio State defensive lineman Tyreke Smith plays against Penn State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
