The NFL Draft comes to a close every year with players selected from all over the country. We make our predictions on who will be drafted and where they’ll go, but it’s always interesting to take one player at a time and see how he would fit their team, even if that player isn’t known for football in 2020.
George Karlaftis is a running back from the University of Pittsburgh. He has been projected to be drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals.
The Arizona Cardinals have just a few holes to address after winning seven consecutive games to start the 2021 season. However, one gap seems to be much larger than the others, and it might be filled by former Purdue Boilermakers EDGE rusher George Karlaftis.
Karlaftis had the most sacks (5.0), tackles for loss (11.5), forced fumbles (3), fumble recoveries (2), and quarterback hurries for the Boilermakers (8). He was the first Boilermaker defender to be nominated to the consensus First Squad All-Big Ten team in over a decade. During the 2021 season, Karlaftis was one of just four Big Ten defenders to force at least three fumbles, the most notable of which was a 56-yard fumble return for a score against Wisconsin on October 23.
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We take a look at Karlaftis and how he’d be a good match for the Arizona Cardinals, who hold the 23rd pick in the NFL Draft in 2022.
In the 2022 NFL Draft, George Karlaftis is the best fit for the Cardinals.
3. Will not be forced to play much in covering.
There will be no need to have Karlaftis play in space or in coverage with the Arizona Cardinals’ outstanding athleticism at inside linebacker in the form of Isaiah Simmons and Zaven Collins. This is a huge plus for him since Karlaftis will be able to shine on the line of scrimmage, where he is most effective.
Karlaftis possesses the raw ability to bull rush linemen back, smash tight ends, and create a hard edge in the run game, in addition to being a force in the pass rush. With Karlaftis’ ability to play both sides of the field, this would relieve some of the strain on veteran defensive end JJ Watt and enable the Cardinals to offer several looks.
2. The “Den of Defensive Ends” has a new member.
There is an exclusive club called as the “Den of Defensive Ends” that was founded in 2004 at Purdue, where Karlaftis was a 2021 First Team All-American. Karlaftis was invited into the exclusive club due to his strong motor and dedication for the game.
George Karlaftis is eager to take his abilities to the next level after a successful collegiate career. @BoilerFootball | @TheGK3
: 2022 #NFLDraft – April 28-30 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/ah9V9BPdLz pic.twitter.com/ah9V9BPdLz pic.twitter.com/ah9V9BPdLz pic.twitter.com/ah9V9BP
April 8, 2022 — NFL (@NFL)
Cliff Avril (2004-07), Akin Ayodele (1999-2001), Rosevelt Colvin (1995-98), Ray Edwards (2003-05), Ryan Kerrigan (2007-10), Lamar Lundy (1954-56), Rob Ninkovich (2004-05), Chike Okeafor (1994-96, 1998), Shaun Phillips (2000-03), Anthony Spencer (2003-06), Leo Sugar (1949-51) and Keena Turner are among the twelve (1976-79).
1. The void created by Chandler Jones’ departure
The greatest and most apparent reason for bringing George Karlaftis to Arizona is to fill the void left by All-Pro EDGE defender Chandler Jones, who departed the Cardinals for the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. With JJ Watt’s expanding list of injury worries and relative unknowns filling out Arizona’s defensive line, Jones’ departure effectively obliterated the Cardinals’ pass rush.
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Karlaftis’ addition would provide a much-needed injection of youth to the position, as well as establish him as a long-term cornerstone of the Cardinals’ defense. Karlaftis, along with the likes of Isaiah Simmons, Zaven Collins, Buddah Baker, and Byron Murphy, might help stabilize the youthful core that shined early in the season in 2021 before losing steam in the last ten games.
The “george karlaftis nfl draft comparison” is a post that compares George Karlaftis to other NFL players. It includes 3 reasons why he would be a fit for the Cardinals in 2022.
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