Rodney

Gunter

Gunter was forced to retire due to a heart condition. The condition would have put his life at risk if he chose to keep playing. He signed a three-year deal with the Jaguars this offseason. Gunter posted 7.5 sacks in 29 games during his career.

Gunter ended last season on injured reserve with a toe problem after starting the first 13 games. Gunter has 7.5 sacks across 29 games (23 starts) over the last two years. He should slide in to help replace Calais Campbell, who was traded to the Ravens last weekend.

Gunter had started each of the first 13 games of the season and was closing in on a career high in snaps. Playing on a one-year deal, Gunter turns 28 next month. He has spent his entire five-year career with the Cardinals.

The No. 116 overall pick of the 2015 draft, Gunter has spent his entire career in Arizona. He visited the Packers before returning to the desert. Gunter made 10 2018 starts, playing 641 replacement-level snaps. Availability — he has never missed a game — has been Gunter’s best NFL trait.

Gunter benefitted from Arizona’s move to a 4-3 last year. He set career highs in tackles (44) and sacks (4.5) as a 10 game starter. Gunter also has the versatility to play end in 3-4 schemes like Green Bay. He’d be a solid fit for the Packers.

Arizona traded up in the fourth round for Gunter, a developmental project out of Delaware State. Gunter adds five-technique depth to the Cardinals’ 3-4 scheme.

The Cards gave pick Nos. 123, 198 and 241 to the Browns for the right to move up. They reportedly thought the 49ers would take Gunter at No. 117 overall. He goes 6'4/298 and sports enough athleticism to run 4.90 forty, record a 9'7" broad jump and dunk a basketball. Gunter is capable of playing both end and tackle in the desert. He recorded 57 tackles, 13 TFLs and seven sacks last season for Delaware State.