Josh

Mauro

Arizona also brought in two additional defensive linemen, Josh Mauro and Margus Hunt, as well. Harris spent his 2020 season with the Bears, playing a mix of special teams and offense. A natural blocker and capable pass-catcher, Harris has a shot a cracking the Cardinals’ final roster. The lineman Arizona signed may end up as nothing more than camp bodies. The Cardinals were missing four defensive linemen Tuesday and open their preseason on Friday.

Mauro spent the first five games suspended and was placed on the reserve/ COVID-19 list last week. The Jaguars needed Mauro’s roster spot to promote rookie TE Ben Ellefson from the practice squad. 29-year-old Mauro could struggle to resurface.

It’s the second PED suspension of Mauro’s career. The Jaguars were aware of Mauro’s suspension when they signed him earlier this month. Mauro won’t count against the roster until he returns in Week 6.

29-year-old Mauro is a “big end” at 6'6/290 and appeared in 13 games for the Silver and Black last season, playing 27% of the snaps. Mauro has 72 games of experience with three career sacks and a pair of forced fumbles. He’s mostly a run-plugger.

That clears a roster spot for DeShone Kizer, who the Raiders inexplicably claimed off waivers (he’s one of four quarterbacks on Oakland’s 53-man roster). Mauro proved to be an effective run-stopper last year, tallying 28 tackles in 12 contests including four starts for the Giants. The 6-foot-6, 290-pounder shouldn’t take long to resurface.

Moving Nathan Peterman (elbow) and Isaiah Johnson to injured reserve allowed the team to bring back LB Kyle Wilber and starting DE Josh Mauro. Securing 28 tackles over 12 appearances (including four starts) in ’18, Mauro (6'6/290) remains an integral key in stopping Phillip Lindsay and Denver’s rushing attack in Week 1.

He’ll earn a $900,000 base salary to go with a $400,000 signing bonus and a $100,000 workout bonus. The 28-year-old spent last year with the Giants, compiling 28 tackles and one sack over 270 defensive snaps. The Raiders are Mauro’s third team in as many years.

He signed with the Giants earlier this week. In a statement, Mauro said the positive test was triggered by a pre-workout supplement he bought over the counter. The 27-year-old logged 22 tackles and one sack over 333 defensive snaps for Arizona last season.

Mauro was slated to be a restricted free agent. After starting six combined games between 2014-15, Mauro started 13 this season, playing 389 ordinary snaps. Mauro generated zero heat as a pass rusher, but was stout against the run. He should remain a role player in 2017.

Despite starting 13 games, Mauro was limited to 389 snaps last season as primarily a run-stuffer. With Calais Campbell gone, the Cardinals seem to expect Mauro to play a bigger role on a defensive line which suddenly is filled with question marks. Mauro is a solid rotational option, but Arizona really needs 2016 first-rounder Robert Nkemdiche to step up and replace Campbell.