The Arizona Cardinals could go with a pass rusher with their first-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft. While many of the top prospects will probably be off the board by the time the Cardinals make their selection with the 23rd pick in the draft, Purdue’s George Karlaftis might be available.
The Cardinals have interest in him. According to NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero, the Cardinals hosted Karlaftis last week for one of their official top-30 visits.
Karlaftis did not put up big sack numbers but there is potential. In three seasons, he had 14 sacks and 29 tackles for loss.
He tested well physically at the combine. He is 6-4, 226 lbs and athletic. He posted a 38-inch vertical leap and 10-1 broad jump, showing explosiveness.
The Cardinals have a hole at outside linebacker with the departure of Chandler Jones in free agency. If Karlaftis is still on the board with the 23rd pick, he would fill a need and the Cardinals would be using a premium pick at a premium position.
While he does not have big sack numbers, he showed the ability to beat his blocker. His 33% pass-rush win rate off the edge is tied for the fourth-best rate in the Power 5 since 2017, according to PFF.
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