Cardinals 2024 position breakdown: Defensive line

Throughout training camp, PHNX Sports will provide an overview of each of the Cardinals position groups with a look at the likely starters, the challengers and players who could provide depth.

To view past position breakdowns, follow these links (more links will be added when those stories are published):

• Offensive line
• Running backs
• Defensive backs
• Receivers/tight ends
• Linebackers
• Quarterbacks

Cardinals defensive linemen

Projected starters: DE Justin Jones; NT Roy Lopez; DE Bilal Nichols.

There weren’t many areas of the Arizona Cardinals‘ 2023 defense where management and the coaching staff could sit back and say, “Yeah, that’s all set.”

In the 32-team NFL, the Cardinals finished 31st in points allowed (455), 29th in yards allowed per play (5.7), 28th in takeaways (17), 31st in first downs allowed (369), last in rushing yards allowed (2,434), 20th in passing yards allowed (3,613), 30th in sacks (33), 31st in QB pressures (98), and last in QB knockdowns (23).

If you believe that defense begins in the trenches, you’ll understand why Monti Ossenfort overhauled the line.

Stopping the run was a major point of emphasis this offseason for the Cardinals GM. While neither Justin Jones nor Bilal Nichols were big names on the free-agent market — some analysts didn’t like the Jones signing at all — they will be charged with improving that area of the defense while creating opportunities for the linebacking corps to flow to the ball and make plays.

Jones signed a three-year, $31.2 million contract with $26.8 million guaranteed. He posted 100 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 24 quarterback hits, and 22 tackles for loss in his two seasons with the Bears. Nichols had 92 tackles, three sacks, eight tackles for loss, and 13 QB hits over the same period with the Raiders.

“They can both rush, they can both play the run in multiple modes of run defense,” Gannon told reporters at the NFL’s annual spring meeting in Orlando, Florida. “They are both pretty durable, which you never know how that’s going to go, but they have proven they can play a lot of snaps.

“We did a lot of homework on those guys to bring them in; glowing reviews about those guys. And when you watch the tape, you have a vision for those guys.”

Injuries impacted Lopez last season, but he appeared in 14 games and started five. He has the upper hand due to his experience in the system. Lopez attended Gilbert Mesquite High School.

Potential backups: Darius Robinson, Dante Stills, Khyiris Tonga, LJ Collier.

It’s important to note that when talking about edge rushers, the distinction between an end and an outside linebacker is often blurred. Players such as BJ Ojulari, Xavier Thomas and Victor Dimukeje could factor into the mix here.

Robinson is a versatile lineman who will likely factor significantly in the rotation at several spots. He could line up anywhere from a three-technique tackle to a seven-technique edge rusher.

A late-season knee injury limited Stills, a sixth-round pick (No. 213), to 15 games (eight starts). He still finished seventh on the team with 47 tackles (18 solos, five tackles for loss), 3.5 sacks, five QB hits and one fumble recovery. Even with the offseason additions, Stills is expected to be a part of the line rotation and could end up being a sleeper pick. 

Tonga spent the past two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. He had 15 tackles and two quarterback hits in 14 games (two starts) in 2023. He was primarily a tackle last year, but spent more time at nose the previous two seasons which is where he is likely to factor most this season.

Collier was limited to one game, which he started, because of a torn biceps suffered in the season opener against the Commanders.

Others in the mix: Naquan Jones, Ben Stille, Myles Murphy, Phil Hoskins.

Top photo of Justin Jones via Getty Images

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