Big Red
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- Mar 16, 2019
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But, "I think the best part for me and Leki is that we played our best ball at the end of the year," Lawrence said.
The way the Cardinals play on the line, Lawrence and Fotu both fit inside. This is a draft, according to GM Steve Keim and others, that has some depth at outside linebacker/pass rusher. But on the interior spots – the spots where the Cardinals may have needed to beef up if they hadn't gotten Watt – it's not quite the same.
"It is what it is," NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said. "It's the worst defensive tackle group that I've seen since I started in 2003."
(One mock draft did have the Cardinals selecting Alabama defensive tackle Christian Barmore at No. 16.)
Coach Kliff Kingsbury wasn't ruling out the possibility of adding to the position, draft or otherwise, but "we really like where it's at, particularly compared to the previous couple of seasons going into this draft."
Fotu and Lawrence, perhaps linked forever because of their draft status in the same round in the same year, see themselves as part of the solution. They both recall hearing from the Cardinals on draft day a year ago, time that seems at once forever ago and just the other day.
What they both do want is the chance to work on themselves and their game together this offseason, building on what they did as rookies in an environment that hopefully won't be quite as restrictive because of the pandemic.
If another defensive lineman comes in later this week, they get it. But they aren't giving up their place on the depth chart if they can help it.
"I take it as motivation," Lawrence said. "You understand it is a business though and the Cardinals are going to always look for the best available players.
"But for us, going into Year Two, it's about us showing we're going to be here for a long time in the future. We brought in a guy like J.J. who can help mentor us, so that'll be good for us. I think last year will be a good springboard for the two of us, and I think we'll have a good defensive line with the guys we have."
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