B/R Says Cardinals Should Avoid This Edge Rusher in NFL Draft

The Arizona Cardinals are in the market to take an edge rusher in the 2023 NFL Draft - Bleacher Report says the team needs to avoid this one.

The Arizona Cardinals need some serious help in getting after the passer. 

With J.J. Watt's retirement and Zach Allen leaving in free agency, the Cardinals are losing exactly half (18-of-36) of their team sacks from 2022. Markus Golden was also released, leaving three starting spots for Arizona to fill before next season. 

The Cardinals drafted both Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and while either of those guys could play a bigger factor leading into next year, Arizona will certainly be eying a top edge rusher in the early portions of next week's draft. 

We've seen names such as Alabama's Will Anderson and Texas Tech's Tyree Wilson connected with the team, but Bleacher Report says the Cardinals need to avoid one player in particular: Iowa State's Will McDonald.

"With Kyler Murray set to miss up to half the season, this team will have a tough time staying competitive regardless of who they draft this year. Because of this, Arizona will want to key in on more developmental prospects with high upside who can flourish when the team is set to contend again, perhaps in 2024 and beyond," said Alex Kay.

"Avoiding an older prospect with a lower floor like Will McDonald IV—the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's No. 34 prospect and a potential candidate for the pass rush-starved Cardinals when they are on the clock at No. 34 overall—would be a wise decision.

"McDonald will be 24 in June. He's put together some impressive tape during his five seasons at Iowa State, but what you see is likely what you'll get with the Iowa State product. There will be plenty of players with much higher ceilings available for Arizona to choose from in the second round."

Kay brings a fair point: The Cardinals are currently building for the long haul in Arizona, and the more youthful their incoming draft class is - the better. 

However, it's not as if McDonald needs a cane whenever he walks on the field. In six years when he turns 30, the Cardinals will (hopefully) be competing by then. 

His NFL.com draft profile compares him to Randy Gregory as a prospect:

"McDonald is an explosive, pliable edge talent whose active hands and eager feet make it hard for tackles to get a firm grip on him. His burst and lower-body flexion give him an advantage at the top of the rush, while his spin moves and feel for pocket depth round out his attack. 

"He has good strength for his size and plays with admirable contact balance against bigger players, but setting firm edges and holding his ground against a downhill running attack could be an issue. Overall, McDonald’s hard-nosed demeanor and pass-rush talent are winning play traits that will help him become a successful 3-4 outside linebacker and sack artist."

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