Cardinals Have NFL's Biggest Remaining Hole in Roster

Originally posted on FanNation All Cardinals
By Donnie Druin | Last updated 6/22/23

DeAndre Hopkins. J.J. Watt. Zach Allen. Byron Murphy. Markus Golden. Rodney Hudson.

Those are the starters the Arizona Cardinals lost following the 2022 regular season by both retirement and free agency. Under a new coaching staff and front office, the Cardinals have done a great job of getting their rebuild off to a strong start - though that signed Cardinals fans up for a 2023 that won't exactly be filled with promise.

Arizona is widely viewed as one of the worst rosters in the league, and when evaluating ten of the biggest holes left to fill across the NFL, NFL.com's Kevin Patra included the Cardinals' defensive front at No. 1:

Cardinals Have NFL's Biggest Remaining Hole in Roster

"This certainly isn't the only concerning spot on Arizona's current roster, but it's the most apparent," said Patra.

"The front seven is a complete question mark following J.J. Watt's retirement and Zach Allen's relocation to Denver. Maybe former Seattle first-round pick L.J. Collier finds his way after four unproductive, injury-marred seasons with the Seahawks, but we're already squinting for optimism.

"The Cardinals hope moving former first-rounder Zaven Collins to outside linebacker will unlock dormant potential. Can second-round pick BJ Ojulari provide instant pressure off the edge? At this point, analyzing Arizona's defense is like playing blackjack in the dark.

"With the 2023 season looking like a steep uphill battle before it even begins, GM Monti Ossenfort might not have much interest in spending to upgrade the group at this point, which likely means the Cards' D will struggle in Jonathan Gannon's first year as head coach."

The Cardinals did lose exactly half of their sack production (18/36 total team sacks) with the combined losses of Watt/Allen, and Arizona seems intent that one of their young pass-rushers in Ojulari, Cameron Thomas or Myjai Sanders stepping up in 2023.

With Collins moving to the edge and Isaiah Simmons moving to the secondary, Arizona looks to rely on Kyzir White and Krys Barners to anchor the middle linebacker position. Fifth-round pick Owen Pappoe could step in behind either of those players, too.

It's unknown exactly how the Cardinals will align defensively in terms of a base package, though Arizona clearly has some things to figure out in 2023 and beyond.