Jordan Burch is emerging as an important name to watch for the Arizona Cardinals as the team looks for more from its pass rush. The edge rusher is being trusted with a larger role, and whether he can turn that opportunity into consistent production could have a major effect on the defense.
That belief appears to have started early. When players reported to the facility in April and began working with the Cardinals' new coaching staff, Burch was already on the radar. The early attention suggests the staff sees real upside in him and views his development as more than a minor subplot.
For Arizona, the situation is straightforward: the Cardinals need Burch to make the jump from intriguing talent to dependable contributor. If he handles the added responsibility, he could help give the defense more energy on the edge and more stability over the course of the season.
The bigger picture is that Burch's progress may say a lot about how quickly this Cardinals defense can improve. A breakout from a young edge rusher would give the unit a different look, and Arizona appears to be counting on that possibility as the season approaches.
