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A lot of teams stockpiled picks before and during the 2024 NFL Draft, but none more so than the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona had eight picks through the first three rounds of April's draft, including two in the first. Those selections were wisely used on Marvin Harrison Jr. and Darius Robinson, who headline this class. But those two aren't going to be the only rookies to produce for Arizona this year. Fifth-round Cardinals rookie sleeper Xavier Thomas is another player who looks to be an immediate contributor this season.
Xavier Thomas is experienced and explosive
If there was a primary reason as to why Thomas was available so late in this draft, it's probably because of his age. He is already 24 years of age, played six collegiate seasons at Clemson University and started his college career in 2018. For context, Will Anderson Jr., the reigning defensive rookie of the year, turns 23 in September.
Thomas never had a dominant college season either. The most sacks he registered in a season was just 4.5 in 2021. He finished with 18 sacks, 33 tackles for loss, and six forced fumbles for his career. Those factors are likely why he slid all the way to the fifth round.
His game, however, is not that of a fifth rounder. Thomas is a very dynamic athlete and uses that to his advantage. He has a ton of speed to get around the edge. That was evident for the majority of games throughout his career, but especially in last year's matchup against Notre Dame. Thomas wore out eventual second-round pick Blake Fisher at right tackle.
Xavier Thomas ruined this game. I think he had more than the six pressures he was credited with by PFF – Notre Dame OT Blake Fisher(#54) had one of the roughest games amongst the 2024 tackle class of the guys I have watched so far. He really struggled to handle the twitchier,… pic.twitter.com/tTXOwOLJFS
— Tanner James (@tjdissect) March 21, 2024
He did similar things against a Duke offensive line that had two players get drafted this year.
Clemson EDGE Xavier Thomas is one twitched-up & explosive dude. I love how they showcased his versatility by rushing over guards in 2023. He is one of my favorite under-the-radar defenders in the #2024NFLDraft class.
My full report: https://t.co/V8rXQ4HGwr pic.twitter.com/58ncte1ymA
— Full-Time Dame 💰 (@DP_NFL) February 17, 2024
Thomas' sack totals don't do him or his play justice. He ended his college career with 153 career quarterback pressures, which is good for roughly 2.7 per game. Robinson, Arizona's second first-round pick, had 42 pressures in 12 games last season. Thomas wasn't that far off from him.
Robinson and Thomas should help supplement Arizona's pass rush immediately as rookies. The Cardinals should hope so, because they were really lacking in that department last season.
Cardinals' struggling pass rush
Arizona's defense was bad across the board last season. They were 31st in EPA allowed per play last season. They shared their futility equally across defending the pass and the run. The Cardinals finished 31st in EPA allowed per dropback and 27th in EPA allowed per rush. Not being stout up front, especially in the pass rush, contributed to their performances, or lack thereof, in both departments.
The Cardinals finished last season 28th in pass rush win rate according to ESPN.com. They also were 29th in run stop win rate. They just didn't have the horses to bother any offense they went up against. Arizona relinquished at least 30 points to their opponent in seven of their 17 games last season. Their only win in such affairs was a 35-31 victory over the sputtering Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17.
Their defense simply cannot be that bad again this season. That's why they loaded up on that side of the ball during the draft. Six of their 12 and five of their first nine selections went towards addressing their defense. It will be a very young unit again this season, but one that added some much-needed talent and depth in Jonathan Gannon's second season as head coach.
The Cardinals have a lot of work to do, but look to be a team on the rise bringing in this draft class. A lot of players will be counted on to produce, and that should include Thomas. He's a player to keep an eye on between now and the start of the season.
