Quan

Sturdivant

A 2011 sixth-round pick of the Cardinals, and Sturdivant was considered one of the top inside ‘backer prospects that year. Some even pegged him to be the successor to ILB Paris Lenon next to Daryl Washington in Arizona. Sturdivant will look to impress and secure a contract for the summer.

Sturdivant (6'1/241) has spent time on the practice squads of the Cardinals and Chiefs since going in the sixth round of the 2011 draft. He’ll be a camp body as the Redskins deal with nagging injuries at inside linebacker.

The Cardinals have decide how quickly they want to begin the youth movement at linebacker. Like veteran ILB Gerald Hayes, OLB Porter is a candidate for release at $5.75 million for 2011. Will Davis, coming off a fractured fibula, will push Clark Haggans on the other side while rookie Quan Sturdivant will attempt the same with Paris Lenon on the inside. There could be a lot of turnover here after training camp wraps up.

Sturdivant has a big talent edge -- he was robbery in the sixth round, due to one off-the-field issue -- but Lenon, of course, is more versed in the Arizona defense. The Cardinals would still be able to max out in the middle with Sturdivant next to last year’s second-rounder, Daryl Washington. It’d be an impressive due of athletic, run-and-chase inside linebackers.

A three-year starter and All-Conference as a senior, Sturdivant was considered one of the premier inside linebacker available. Though he lacks ideal size and athleticism, Sturdivant is an aggressive and effective run blocker well suited for the Cardinals’ 3-4 scheme. He may need a year to add strength, but he looks like the natural successor to Paris Lenon next to Daryl Washington.

The sixth-rounder out of North Carolina was originally expected to push Paris Lenon for a starting job, but he lost out when Stewart Bradley was signed. The Cardinals will hope he goes unclaimed, so he can be added to the practice squad.