PHX Reporter

Now that the Cardinals' offseason work has concluded, the players are out of the facility. Many have stated that these next few weeks aren't time off from football but time away from the facility, hoping players remain locked in and prepared to report to Glendale for training camp on July 23. In the meantime, azcardinals.com will evaluate each position group prior to camp.

Next up is outside linebacker.

Locks: Zaven Collins, BJ Ojulari, Dennis Gardeck

Dennis Gardeck ended the 2023 campaign as the Cardinals' leader in sacks with six. Considering Gardeck's journey, one that has not been linear, it is admirable to see the position he's put himself in. Standing at six-foot, Gardeck doesn't look like a prototypical edge rusher but uses his size and bend to cause chaos in the backfield. He's a lock to make this roster because he's proven both on and off the field as well as special teams how important he is to this team.

A player predicted to have a breakout season is BJ Ojulari. The 2023 second-rounder didn't have a full offseason with the club after undergoing a procedure on his knee. Once he debuted and began practicing, it took Ojulari some time to find his footing. Midway through the season, specifically in the game against the Falcons where Ojulari finished with a pair of sacks, the vision for No. 9 became clear. When asked if double-digit sacks could be a possibility this season, Ojulari said, "most definitely."

There's optimism surrounding Collins going into his second season as an outside linebacker. The position change took some time but throughout OTAs and minicamp, Collins spent valuable one-on-one time working with outside linebackers coach Rob Rodriguez and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis. An improved defensive line room will also help players like Collins, Ojulari, and Gardeck get to the quarterback.

Work To Do: Cameron Thomas, Victor Dimukeje, Jesse Luketa, Tyreke Smith

With Rallis's nonstop rotation scheme needing multiple outside linebackers capable of getting to the quarterback Jonathan Gannon said they'll look to use Cameron Thomas everywhere including on the defensive line but he needs more consistency. "I want him to take that next jump," Gannon said after Thomas had a solid rookie season in 2022.

Victor Dimukeje Jesse Luketa and Tyreke Smith were rotational players used in multiple blitz packages Every team needs an outside linebacker capable of bull rushing quarterbacks which they possess While they caused pressures their pass rush didn't translate into sacks

Upgrade Odds: Medium

Outside of Xavier Thomas drafted this year no changes occurred within this unit from last year Continuity created is irreplaceable yet room exists for another difference maker Monti Ossenfort might consider bringing someone new if fitting options appear on market